Musicians :
Billy Bragg (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bouzouki, banjo, resonator guitar, lead vocals), Jeff Tweedy (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, harmonica, lead vocals & backing vocals), Jay Bennett (piano, Hammond B3 organ, Farfisa organ, clavinet, acoustic guitar, slide guitar, banjo, bouzouki, dulcimer, melodica, drums, backing vocals), John Stirratt (acoustic bass, electric bass, piano, Hammond B3 organ, acoustic guitar, backing vocals), Ken Coomer (drums, percussion, backing vocals), Guest Musicians : Natalie Merchant (lead vocals, backing vocals), Corey Harris (electric guitar, lap steel guitar, backing vocals), Eliza Carthy (violin), Elizabeth Steen (accordion), Bob Egan (pedal steel guitar), Peter Yanowitz (drums), Jonathan "JP" Parker (backing vocals), Woody Guthrie (lyrics).


- Includes “California Stars”, “Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key”, “Birds and Ships” and “Walt Whitman’s Niece” !
- (2 LP) gatefold edition pressed on 180 gram vinyl at Furnace Record Pressing !
- Mastered by Robert C. Ludwig at Gateway Mastering (2012) !
- Vinyl lacquers cut by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering !

Billy Bragg & Wilco "Mermaid Avenue" (1998)

A remarkable musical collaboration, a legendary American songwriter, and one of the most extraordinary folk-rock albums of the 1990s.

Originally released in 1998, Mermaid Avenue represents a unique meeting of musical generations, bringing together British singer-songwriter Billy Bragg and American alternative rock band Wilco to breathe new life into previously unpublished lyrics by the legendary Woody Guthrie.

At the invitation of Guthrie's daughter, Nora Guthrie, Billy Bragg and Wilco were given access to a remarkable collection of handwritten lyrics left behind by one of America's most influential folk musicians. Rather than simply recreating Guthrie's traditional sound, they embarked on an ambitious artistic adventure, composing entirely new music that would connect his timeless words with contemporary musical expression.

The result is an extraordinary fusion of American folk, alternative country, roots rock, and heartfelt songwriting.

Billy Bragg's distinctive voice and passionate delivery blend beautifully with Jeff Tweedy's intimate, expressive vocals and Wilco's inventive arrangements. Together, they create a musical landscape that feels both deeply rooted in American tradition and refreshingly modern.

The album features an exceptional collection of songs, including the irresistible California Stars, the hauntingly beautiful One by One, the playful Hoodoo Voodoo, and the deeply moving Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key, featuring Natalie Merchant.

Throughout the recording, Woody Guthrie's remarkable poetry comes alive through warm acoustic guitars, expressive electric arrangements, delicate piano passages, and memorable melodies.

The musicians approach these forgotten lyrics with extraordinary sensitivity, preserving Guthrie's humanity, humor, social consciousness, and poetic imagination while giving each composition a distinctive musical identity.

More than a tribute, Mermaid Avenue is a genuine artistic collaboration across generations.

Its songs explore love, hope, everyday life, social injustice, and the enduring spirit of ordinary people, themes that remain as powerful and relevant today as when Guthrie first wrote them.

The album's emotional depth, musical diversity, and exceptional songwriting have established it as a modern classic of Americana and alternative folk-rock.

A Beautiful Audiophile Vinyl Reissue

Presented by Craft Recordings as a deluxe double-vinyl edition, Mermaid Avenue offers collectors the opportunity to rediscover this landmark recording in a beautifully presented format.

Pressed on two 180 gram vinyl records and housed in a gatefold sleeve, this edition celebrates the warmth, musical richness, and timeless character of an album that continues to inspire generations of listeners.