The Progressive Patriot
In great anticipation and with plenty of time on holiday I settle down to read one of my heroes much admired for both music, passion and politics. I very rarely leave a book unfinished but in this case I struggle through to page 100 and then just can't continue giving up before the mid book photos which I've sneaked a preview of already. I accept the detailed history of both Barking and it's bard's family (as our Billy is affectionately known) but I find it hard to believe that Bragg's ancestors were responsible for the modern labour movement and the 8 hour working man's day. The potted history of English radicalism is, well, potted and light failing to mention Cromwell's much darker side which is part of him whatever you think about whether he was a man of the times and the ends justified the means. The flights of fancy about Rudyard Kipling's potential roaming around Barking was acceptable but the straw that broke my willingness to carry on was Billy banging on about how Simon and Garfunkel are the most insightful lyricists of our time. I just couldn't carry on with the duo's mournful wailings running through my head. It's alway's dangerous reading the autobiographies, for this is what this is at least the first half, of your heroes and I've gone off certain Arsenal players due to this. There again others pull you in and you want to explore their works, whether music, writing or sport, all the more. In this case I'd prefer to remember Billy by his performances rather than his writing. Must go see him again and refresh my mild adulation of him. For me he's still the guy who shouted out updates to England world cup ties during his Glastonbury sets back when no one much who pretended left wing views could like football much less scream at players of any one country to score against the other. Back before it became so trendy that large screens were needed at Glastonbury to show England getting beat by the Germans. Again. Oh god, I've strayed so far from BB's internationalist views - but I guess that's what this book is about - being patriotic and having a sense of pride in your country without being prejudiced and xenophobic. Hmm, maybe I should've persevered...
No comments:
Post a Comment