In the late ’90s, Nora Guthrie, daughter of legendary singer-songwriter Woody Guthrie, discovered a large trove of her father’s unpublished lyrics. She then reached out to Billy Bragg to fully realize the incomplete songs. Bragg subsequently brought Wilco into the fold, and together they recorded Mermaid Avenue, which dropped in 1998. In the years since, recordings that didn’t make the original 15-song tracklist have surfaced via a variety of additional volumes and packages. Today, Craft Recordings announced the most complete archive of the collaboration yet, an expanded edition of Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions (out December 11th). Along with the announcement, Craft shared “Aginst Th’ Law (Alternate Version),” which was previously unreleased.
Craft Recordings has announced the release of Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions, a comprehensive collection of the Woody Guthrie, Billy Bragg, and Wilco collaboration. The new edition includes the three original volumes, as well as bonus material like alternate versions, live cuts, and demos. The collection also features 16 previously unreleased recordings. The deluxe package will be available both digitally and in two physical formats: a 7xLP + 7-inch box set and a 4xCD box set. Both sets are available for pre-order now.
Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions Details
New limited edition pressings of each individual volume will also be available as standalone 2xLPs. Billy Bragg reflected on the project, saying, “It’s been over thirty years since Nora first asked me to look at some unpublished lyrics of her father’s. I had no idea then that the project that she, I, and Wilco undertook would lead to a complete reassessment of the legacy of Woody Guthrie.”
The available single, “Against Th’ Law (Alternate Version)” is an alternate cut of the Mermaid Avenue Vol. II tune. It’s a lively, folky jaunt with fun guitar licks, hotly-mixed percussion, and expectedly anti-establishment lyrics. The previously released “California Stars” accompanies the new song.
Wilco and Billy Bragg News
Wilco are coming off of their 2026 US Summer Tour, which wrapped last month, and are now looking ahead to Winterlude, their mini-fest in Chicago that just added two additional dates. In the spirit of Guthrie, revisit Billy Bragg’s guest editorial for Consequence from earlier this year, which touches on the rise of modern-day resistance and what protest songs can accomplish.
Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions Artwork and Tracklist
The collection features a wide range of songs, including “Walt Whitman’s Niece,” “California Stars,” and “At My Window Sad and Lonely.” The tracklist includes 17 previously unreleased recordings, marked with an asterisk (*).
The release of Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions is a significant event for fans of Woody Guthrie, Billy Bragg, and Wilco. The collection provides a comprehensive look at the collaboration and showcases the talents of the artists involved. With its release on December 11th, fans will be able to experience the complete Mermaid Avenue sessions like never before.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte, widely regarded as the “Shakespeare of Sh*tposts,” is a video game expert with a unique knack for turning pixels into punchlines.
Born in the small town of Respawn, Pennsylvania, Pixel grew up mashing buttons on an ancient NES controller, firmly believing that “blowing into the cartridge” was a sacred ritual passed down through generations.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte: proving that life, much like a buggy open-world game, is better with a little lag-induced chaos.
⚖️ ENTER THE LEGALIZER
Think the government has no idea what it's doing? Put your case before the Federal Case Terminal and find out.
