Release Date 11th December 2026
The Mermaid Avenue series is one of the most successful and unusual folk-rock collaborations of the last few decades. At its core, the project took previously unpublished Woody Guthrie lyrics and set them to entirely new music composed and performed by Billy Bragg and Wilco. Celebrated for honoring Guthrie's spirit while creating something entirely new, the Mermaid Avenue recordings remain a landmark achievement in folk and Americana music. The releases comprise:
Mermaid Avenue
The first volume is generally considered the centerpiece of the series. It blends Bragg's folk and political sensibilities with Wilco's emerging alt-country sound. Songs like "California Stars," "Way Over Yonder in the Minor Key," and "Ingrid Bergman" became modern folk standards. The album earned a GRAMMY nomination and received widespread critical acclaim.
Mermaid Avenue Vol. II
The second volume drew from the same recording sessions and archives. It tends to be more eclectic and experimental, showing a broader range of Guthrie's writing—from political observations to surreal humor and intimate personal reflections.
Mermaid Avenue Vol. III
New standalone format, broken out from The Complete Sessions (2012). Released for Guthrie's centennial, this collection assembled Volumes I and II, added a third volume of previously unreleased recordings, and included the documentary film Man in the Sand, which chronicles the collaboration.
Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions (Expanded)
New format for 2926 including unreleased content. All three volumes combined with additional bonus material, including demos, alternate versions and live cuts.
