Talking with the Taxman About Poetry (2xCD) | Mint (M) Mint (M)

Personnel: Billy Bragg (vocals, guitar); Kristy MacColl (vocals); Johnny Marr (guitar); John Porter (slide guitar, mandolin, bass); Bobby Valentino (violin); Dave Woodhead (trumpet, flugelhorn); Kenny Craddock (piano, organ); Simon Moreton, Kenny Jones, George Shilling (percussion). Recorded at Livingston Studios, London, England. Agitpop's aggrieved and finely humoured singer-songwriter, Billy Bragg gave full vent to his impassioned view of the world with the excellent Talking With The Taxman About Poetry. Less fully blown in execution than Brewing Up, or his mini-album Life's A Riot With Spy Vs Spy, his finely honed angst nevertheless remained intact, with his pungent and almost always topical material sitting comfortably alongside a new and instantly more accessible batch of songs. The wonderfully arch 'Greetings To The New Brunette' and the uplifting 'Levi Stubbs Tears' were indicative of Bragg's rapidly developing craft.

Label:
Cooking Vinyl – COOKCD304
Format:
2 x CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Special Reissue Bonus Edition
Country:
UK
Released:
Mar 6, 2006
Genre:
Rock
Style:
Folk Rock, Indie Rock
Disc 1 - Original Album    
1-1        Greetings To The New Brunette    3:31
1-2        Train Train
Written-By – Zenon De Fleur
2:12
1-3        The Marriage    2:31
1-4        Ideology    3:27
1-5        Levi Stubbs' Tears    3:31
1-6        Honey I'm A Big Boy Now    4:07
1-7        There Is Power In A Union
Lyrics By [Lyrics] – Billy Bragg
Music By [Tune] – Traditional
2:48
1-8        Help Save The Youth Of America    2:48
1-9        Wishing The Days Away    2:29
1-10        The Passion    2:54
1-11        The Warmest Room    3:57
1-12        The Home Front    4:16
Bonus CD - Extra Tracks    
2-1        Sin City
Mandolin, Vocals [Vocal] – Hank Wangford
Written-By – Hillman*, Parsons*
3:34
2-2        Deportees
Mandolin, Vocals [Vocal] – Hank Wangford
Written-By – Hoffman*, Guthrie*
4:03
2-3        There Is Power In A Union (Instrumental)
Mandolin – John Porter
Music By [Tune] – Traditional
3:16
2-4        The Tracks Of My Tears
Written-By – Tarplin*, Robinson*, Moore*
2:56
2-5        Wishing The Days Away (Alternative Version)    2:32
2-6        The Clashing Of Ideologies (Alternative Version)    2:52
2-7        Greetings To The New Brunette (Demo)    3:57
2-8        A Nurse's Life Is Full Of Woe    2:48
2-9        Only Bad Signs    3:10
2-10        Hold The Fort
Vocals [Vocal] – Robert Handley
Written-By – Traditional
1:47
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Billy Bragg
Copyright © – Billy Bragg
Remastered At – Metropolis Mastering
Remastered At – Sound Mastering
Recorded At – Livingston Studios
Published By – Carlin Music Corp.
Published By – BMG
Published By – Rondor Music (London) Ltd.
Published By – Tro Ethics Music Ltd.
Published By – Jobete Music Ltd.
Published By – BMG Music Publishing Ltd.
Design [Compilation] – Committee (5)
Percussion [Assorted] – George Shilling (tracks: 1-1 to 1-12), Kenny Jones (3) (tracks: 1-1 to 1-12)
Producer – John Porter (tracks: 1-1 to 1-12), Kenny Jones (3) (tracks: 1-1 to 1-12)
Reissue Producer [Compilation Produced By] – Grant Showbiz
Remastered By [Digitally Remastered @ Metropolis Mastering] – Tim Young (tracks: 1-1 to 1-12)
Remastered By [Digitally Remastered @ Sound Mastering] – Duncan Cowell (tracks: 2-1 to 2-10)
Sleeve Notes – Melody Maker (2)
Written-By – Billy Bragg (tracks: 1-1, 1-3 to 1-6, 1-8 to 1-12, 2-5 to 2-9)
Packaged in six panel (3x 2-sided) card sleeve with two disc slots and a booklet holder. Includes a 12 page booklet with archive photographs, memorabilia and credits.

The front cover, booklet and disc labels all feature the text 'BRAGG 1986'. It is unclear whether this represents anything other than the original release year.

The original album artwork features the text "The Difficult Third Album" and "Pay no more than £4.49".

Track 1-2 was originally recorded by The Count Bishops and released in 1976 as the A-side to the Chiswick Records single S5-A.

Track 2-5 is subtitled "Alternative take" in the booklet.

[Rear Cover:]
Original recordings ℗ 1985 1986 Billy Bragg
This compilation ℗ & © 2006 Billy Bragg.
Made in the EU

[Disc Labels:]
MADE IN THE EU

[Booklet:]
DISC ONE ...
Recorded March -July at Livingston Studios, North London.
Released September 1986 AGOLP 6
[Track 1-2] Published by Carlin Music Corp.
[Track 1-7] Published by BMG
BONUS CD ...
[Track 2-1] Published by Rondor Music London Ltd. Recorded during the Taxman sessions ... Released August 1988 as b-side of 'Waiting For The Great Leap Forwards' Go Discs GOD23
[Track 2-2] Published by Tro Ethics Music Ltd. Recorded during the Taxman sessions ... Released November 1986 as b-sides of 'Greetings to the New Brunette' 12" single Go Discs! GODX15
[Track 2-3] Recorded during the Taxman sessions ... Released November 1986 as b-sides of 'Greetings to the New Brunette' 12" single Go Discs! GODX15
[Track 2-4] Published by Jobete Music Ltd.
[Tracks 2-4 to 2-9] Recorded during the Taxman sessions. All previously unreleased.
[Track 2-10] Recorded November 1985 during 'Days Like These' EP sessions ... Released 1986 'Square Roots' LP Froot 001
All tracks ... BMG Music Publishing Ltd unless otherwise stated
Barcode: 711297470420
Label Code: LC 7180
Price Code: WAG 320
Matrix / Runout (CD1): COOKCD304 DISC 1 19372
Mastering SID Code (CD1): IFPI L213
Mould SID Code (CD1): IFPI 3706
Matrix / Runout (CD2): COOKCD304 BONUS CD 19373
Mastering SID Code (CD2): IFPI L213
Mould SID Code (CD2): IFPI 3706
 

• Media Condition: Mint (M)
• Sleeve Condition: Mint (M)
• Genre: ALT/INDIE
• Format Type: CD