This is how I used to feel about Hendrix,J, Mitchell, J, the Dead, G and jazz in general. As time has gone by I have suddenly realised I do like them......
As for Billy Bragg, try his latest, Mr Truth and Beauty, which is possibly his most accessible by far, unless you are an americana nut, in which his work on adding tunes to old Woody Guthrie lyrics will appeal, Mermaid Ave, Vols 1 and 2, along with Wilco and Natalie Merchant, which are very atypical of his usual style and format (but I think are pretty fine)
I used to think I ought to like Zappa, Bee-Fart, Incredible String Band, Van de Graaf Generator, post 21st century schizoid man King Crimson, Mahavishnu Orchestra, o the list is endless, critical favourites/name dropworthy names for any good'n'true rocksnob. I still don't. Maybe when I'm 64......

that's Mr Love and Justice. Having said that, Mr Truth and Beauty works almost as well as a title...

Commoner, I was once like you, and it took a trip to one of his gigs for me to get him properly. He's very aware that a lot of the crowd had been dragged along by their other half and will put up with the political stuff but not the "soppy numbers" (or vice versa). But listening to CDs now, I have the image of the self-deprecating bloke rattling out this fantastic stuff with passion and humour. Works for me.

meanwhile I'm still trying to work out if I'm better off without Leonard Cohen, on the grounds that I can listen very happily to any version of "Halleluja" except his own.

Truth and Beauty must be my innate wish for Ian McNabb to gain more exposure breaking out, being a fine LP, without the Mr.

Neil 'Whiney not Shakey' Young like others do, but I find so little to enjoy, it sounds awful to me. The Smiths never appealed to me, nor Joy Division, nor The Cure, nor Kate Bush, leotard excepted. Dylan I do make an effort with but it's not always rewarded (Good As I've Been To You anyone?). When I've been to see him play, although the atmosphere's like some kind of political or religious rally, he's looked up perhaps twice all evening.

don't look twice, it's alright....
(Sorry)

route is a good approach , Billy is great live and does all the things people round here have been asking for ie plays a mix of old and new, involves the crowd, tells the odd joke, makes serious points does ramble on. I've seen many times over 20 years and never had bad time he's on at various festivals and touring in autumn I think.

Recent stuff hasn't quite done it for me but early BB is fabulous and you will not hear more heartfelt lyrics than Tank Park Salute - a wonderful song about love and loss.

Agree with Tank Park Salute, it is surely one of the best songs about the loss of a loved one. Oh and "I Keep Faith" off "Mister Cheap and Cheerful" is a cracker. That double retrospective released aboout 2 or 3 years ago is a great compilation.