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Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions
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Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions Image
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

  • Summary: Woody Guthrie's daughter Nora contacted Billy Bragg about using some of the songs her father wrote in the 1940s. Bragg in turn, recruited the band Wilco to help complete the project. The Complete Sessions collects the two previously released volumes with a new third volume of songs, and aWoody Guthrie's daughter Nora contacted Billy Bragg about using some of the songs her father wrote in the 1940s. Bragg in turn, recruited the band Wilco to help complete the project. The Complete Sessions collects the two previously released volumes with a new third volume of songs, and a documentary about the creating the music to go with the folk legend's lyrics.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. The A.V. Club
    Apr 27, 2012
    91
    Mermaid Avenue remains a lovable chapter in the story of an American icon, and two of his worthy musical offspring.
  2. PopMatters
    Apr 27, 2012
    90
    There's no doubt, though, that the Mermaid Avenue albums played a major role in sparking a revival of interest in Woody Guthrie-both in his home state, his country, and the world at large. And that renewed interest has finally allowed people to see Guthrie for who and what he truly was and continues to represent.
  3. Drowned In Sound
    May 2, 2012
    90
    Even for those who already have both of the previous volumes, Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions is a fascinating look at one of America's greatest writers.
  4. Rolling Stone
    Apr 30, 2012
    80
    1998's Mermaid Avenue let the artists rewrite themselves, too: Billy Bragg, the British folkie agitator, turned goofier ("My Flying Saucer"), while Wilco turned rootsier ("California Stars).
  5. Q Magazine
    Jun 20, 2012
    80
    A wealth of quality material. [Jun 2012, p.99]
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  6. BBC Music
    Apr 30, 2012
    80
    Bawdy, smart, big-hearted and mischievous, Mermaid Avenue is simply all about a personality that is rich with life.
  7. Uncut
    May 2, 2012
    70
    These songs, dehydrated after 50 years, sound bright and timeless. [Jun 2012, p.97]
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See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Ricko
    Aug 27, 2017
    9
    A lovely collection where punk folk protest singer Billy Bragg links up with Wilco to bring some lost Woody Guthrie songs to life. It's aA lovely collection where punk folk protest singer Billy Bragg links up with Wilco to bring some lost Woody Guthrie songs to life. It's a project that came with great responsibility but Bragg and Co were more than up to the task. Really beautiful stuff on show here. Those involved really seemed to capture the essence of what Guthrie wanted to put across. As relevant as ever these days. I would highly recommend to anyone who is into folk or good music in general. Also, check out the documentary about the making of it. Great insight into Woody Guthrie himself.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Best Album of 2012

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