Mr. Love & Justice

T

he new album ''Mr. Love & Justice'' (COOKCD452), by the great English songwriter and performer Billy Bragg, is in stores on Monday 3^rd March (North America release date is 8^th April). There will be 2 versions of the album. A standard version containing just the album and a limited edition Deluxe 2 X CD Edition in 6 panel Ecol-Pak with expanded booklet, featuring the entire album recorded solo.

Preceding this Bragg has had a very active year and so too have a growing number of much younger musicians that are discovering his music.

Bragg made a special guest appearance with Kate Nash at London’s Union Chapel on 26^th November 2007. This show was part of the Little Noises Sessions which is curated by Radio One’s Jo Whiley in aid of the Mencap charity.

This was the second time Bragg had appeared with Nash - they shared a stage at London’s Electric Ballroom earlier in 2007 as part of the Camden Crawl.

Nash later told the NME: "When I watched him at the Electric Ballroom it was the best thing ever, to see him, one guy, one guitar and for him to have such an effect on such a huge amount of people.  Everyone was smiling and singing along.  It’s about connecting with people."

Billy celebrated his 50^th birthday at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall on Sunday 9^th December 2007 when, in conversation with Jude Kelly, artistic director of the South Bank Centre, he discussed the political and musical influences that had shaped his life. The event brought to an end a memorable 25^th anniversary as Billy ’s first solo gig was opening for the Sensible Jerseys at the North London Polytechnic Sociology Department annual disco 25 years ago in March 1982.