This came out in 1999 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
I know I’ll probably be reprimanded by the Rock Critics’ Union for admitting this, but it took me a long time to understand Billy Bragg. And longer to appreciate him.
With his angry folk-punk troubadour approach, his socialist zealotry and his thick-as-Guinness accent, he always came off as too strident, too unforgiving, too drearily British. But even Bragg has his lighter side, as this collection of career leftovers proves. Consisting of unreleased tracks, singles, B-sides and cover tunes — normally the most playful elements of any artist’s repertoire — Reaching To The Converted gives you a glimpse of Bragg the comedian (Walk Away Renee), Bragg the romantic (Ry Cooder’s Tattler) and Bragg the Beatles fan (She’s Leaving Home). It’s enough to make a convert of anyone.
