Reaching to the Converted

by Billy Bragg

Overview

This is no ragtag rummage sale of leftovers, castoffs, and third-rate rejects. Having previously purchased the ten singles Reaching is culled from, spanning 1985-1997, one nevertheless revels in the poignant, luxurious breadth of Bragg's heart and brain. Like Bragg's real LPs, this is a roadmap to the spectrum of feeling, from bliss to misery and every destination in between. One experiences the heart-busting sweetness of "Ontario, Quebec and Me," the contented, bubbling joy of "The Boy Done Good," the knowing shrug of "Bad Penny," the regretful resignation of a revamped (by an inspired Johnny Marr) "Greetings to the New Brunette" called "Shirley," the distasteful, frank frustration of "Sulk," the gentle sadness in a rendition of the Smiths' B-side "Jeane," the wrenching melancholy of a ballad-rethink of "Wishing the Days Away," and the dour despair of his piano cover of Brit-folk standard "Heart Like a Wheel." (Or, for those who favor sociopolitics, there is "Days Like These" and a less frenzied re-recording of "Accident Waiting to Happen.") Unfortunately, some of Bragg's best B-sides are oddly A.W.O.L. The scathing "Thatcherites" and the Natalie Merchant-sung collaboration "Bread and Circuses" should have replaced the too-sketchy "I Don't Need This Pressure Ron" and "Scholarship Is the Enemy of Romance" -- or simply been added, along with his torch job on Love's "Seven and Seven Is." Likewise, a so-so cover of the Beatles' "She's Leaving Home" probably should have been left on the forgettable charity Sgt. Pepper tribute LP it came from. But, otherwise, this album might be better than William Bloke. If Bragg-faves the Temptations once sang "I Wish it Would Rain," then Reaching is like that song's memorable coda: "Let it rain...." ~ Jack Rabid

Product Details

Release Date:	08/31/1999
Label:	Rhino
UPC:	0081227596224

Tracks

1. Shirley
2. Sulk
3. Accident Waiting to Happen
4. The Boy Done Good
5. Heart Like a Wheel
6. Bad Penny
7. Ontario, Quebec and Me
8. Walk Away Renee
9. Rule nor Reason
10. Days Like These
11. Think Again
12. Scholarship Is the Enemy of Romance
13. Wishing the Days Away
14. The Tatler
15. Jeane
16. She's Leaving Home
17. I Don't Need This Pressure Ron

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Billy Bragg   Primary Artist,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Guitar,Vocals
Kirsty MacColl   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Johnny Marr   Guest Artist,Guitar (Acoustic),Multi Instruments
J.F.T. Hood   Drums
Rob Allum   Drums
Robert Handley   Vocals
Ken Jones   Guitar
John Porter   Mandolin
Wiggy   Guitar
Lorraine Bowen   Vocals (Background)
Andy Hobson   Bass
Jody Linscott   Percussion
Cara Tivey   Piano,Vocals,Recorder,Keyboards
Amanda Vincent   Piano
Nigel Frydman   Bass,Guitar (Bass)

Technical Credits

Doug Erb   Illustrations
Penny Smith   Photography
Edward DeBono   Producer
Michael W. Johnson   Project Assistant
Julee Stover   Editorial Supervision
Tony Sansone   Composer
Tim Young   Remastering
Billy Bragg   Liner Notes,Composer
Gary Smith   Producer
Patrick Milligan   Project Assistant
Shawn Amos   Project Assistant
Paul McCartney   Composer
Bob Calilli   Composer
Ken Jones   Producer
Ry Cooder   Composer
Russ Titelman   Composer
Gary Stewart   Compilation Producer
Greg Allen   Design,Photography,Art Direction
Johnny Marr   Composer,Producer
John Porter   Producer
John Lennon   Composer
Dick Gaughan   Composer
Wiggy   Project Consultant
Anna McGarrigle   Composer
Morrissey   Composer
Grant Showbiz   Producer,Compilation Producer
Cara Tivey   Composer
Michael Brown   Composer
Rachel Gutek   Art Direction