Monday, March 10, 2025

Okay, How Did I Miss This One?

From their 1998 Mermaid Avenue, please enjoy the inspired coupling(heh!) of Billy Bragg and Wilco that is "California Stars."

In case, like me, you apparently slept through the late 90s, Mermaid Avenue is comprised of previously unheard lyrics to uncompleted songs by Woody Guthrie, with Bragg and Wilco providing contemporary musical accompaniments.

The deal is that this came on the sound system while lunching at my local watering hole the other day and it blew me away, both strictly as music and when I found out who was responsible. Seriously -- I practically fell off my bar stool (no, I wasn't drinking) when the artist credits came up on Shazam.

I should also add that if "California Stars," in this iteration, doesn't strike you as quite ineffably moving, then you're obviously having more psychological trouble coping with the depressing realities of life during The Pee-Wee Hitler© administration that you've yet come to grips with. 😎

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

This song has been my intro to these albums (there was a sequel) for everyone I've tried to interest in them. Utterly gorgeous.
C in California

Gummo said...

Always loved the Mermaid Avenue album. A great collaboration.

Sal Nunziato said...

I think "Secret Of The Sea" from Volume II would be right in your wheelhouse, too.

steve simels said...

Just listened -- wow, it's fabulous. Thanks for the headsup.

Anonymous said...

All three Mermaid Avenue volumes are very good, with California Stars a particular favorite. Hearing it at a Wilco gig with the crowd singing along is pretty special, too.

- Paul in DK