Billy Bragg

Billy will host Folk America: Greenwich Village Revisited at the Barbican in London on 22 January. Featuring Carolyn Hester, Judy Collins, Roger McGuinn, and Eric Andersen. Greenwich Village Revisited recaptures the vital era where the American folk revival was infused with urban energy and political intent. Compered by Billy, who made his mark with his own brand of politically-charged folk on a string of classic albums in the 1980s, this concert boasts a line-up of originals performing songs from their own repertoire and from their many contemporaries who contributed to such an extraordinary songbook. Billy's acclaimed solo albums include his debut, Life's a Riot with Spy Vs. Spy, Talking With The Taxman About Poetry and Workers Playtime. One of the giants of the scene, Grammy award-winner Judy Collins (well known for her version of Sondheim's Send In The Clowns and Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now) will be joined by other extraordinary singer-songwriters of the era. These include 60s rock and folk legend Roger McGuinn - co-founder of the The Byrds (remembered for their cover of Dylan's Hey Mr Tambourine Man), and 'Texas Songbird' Carolyn Hester who popularised contemporary versions of She Moved Through The Fair and House Of The Rising Sun. Plus connoisseur singer-songwriter Eric Andersen, who since his Greenwich Village days has collaborated with artists from Joni Mitchell to Richard Thompson, and whose songs have been recorded by many, including Judy Collins, John Denver and others. BBC Four's Folk America series is a comprehensive survey of American folk music which goes all the way back to the dawn of recorded sound. http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=8421