Phil Ochs
Biography
Phil Ochs is a figure both glorious and tragic who haunts the history of the 1960s folk revival and its aftermath. A topical singer and songwriter in the manner of Lee Hays, Pete Seeger, and Woody Guthrie from the previous generation, he was forever in the shadow of Bob Dylan in terms of the recognition for his music; but unlike Dylan -- who, in retrospect, seemed to approach his work with overpowering facility and talent, but only occasional moments of definable dedication to the causes seemingly behind the songs -- Ochs truly believed in and embraced those causes, which may have been his tragedy.
In contrast to Dylan, who was an enigmatic media star from 1964 onward -- teasing and even daring the press and public to try and define him -- Ochs embraced the role of ideological outlaw, authoring songs that often stretched (and sometimes ripped) the envelope of acceptable popular political discourse, as well as extending the range and language of folk style music's poetry into new and gloriously rich territory. And what made it even more effective was that he did it with a voice that was so seemingly earnest and unassuming in its appeal. He may never have written anything as widely known as "Blowing in the Wind," "A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall," or "Mr.
Selected Discography
Live At Newport
1996
There But For Fortune
1989
Phil Ochs In Concert
1966
I Ain't Marching Anymore
1965
I was pissed at him for his death, thanks for clearing up some details. The Filmore East tribute to him showed the love and respect his contemporari e s had for his work. Are there any recordings of that? All in all, A tragic figure and loss.
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I had the great luck and privilege to hang out with Ochs between sets at the Gaslight in NYC for a couple of days in 1965. What a wonderful human being - and what a tragic loss.
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One of the great true and decent souls ever put on Earth. We need people with his courage and wisdom today.
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The song "Changes" is quite beautiful - should have been mentioned somewhere
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Only the good (in this case great) die young, or so it seems. Going to have to research how to collect a few of the mentioned recordings. An excellent review, giving all due respect for one brave enough to stand up for what he believed in (contrasted with those who only sing about things and try to make more and more money).
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Oh BTW, Eugene Chadbourne used to carry a picture of Phil in his guitar case.
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Along with "Draft Dodger Rag", "I ain't marching anymore" were as definitive anthems of the time as any. They didn't like it when after getting my 4F at my physical, I hummed this tune, and when asked, I told them the title. They were not amused. Greg K
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I have been a fan of Phil Ochs for several years (I raided my father's albums when I was growing up). I have to give kudos to whoever wrote the biography, too. However, there is a typo, in the next-to-last paragraph. The lyrics are "I'm a quarter of a century old/but I'm a half a century high".
...But it's negligable. I just like being nit-picky. :P |
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What a thorough and nuanced account of this tragic but productive life. I wish Phil Ochs were still around to sing with Pete Seeger. Wouldn't that have been a blessing? I hope that others who have spoken truth to our hearts and minds but who don't think they have a future in them can imagine a few decades ahead and grant us the blessing of their presence, despite the high price of that gift.
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With Phil Ochs gone, the voices aren't as articulate and resonant as his. Nor are they as sincere. We're all fortunate he did it while he was here.
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I discovered Mr Ochs' legacy in 1977. I have never really recovered. I hope I never will. This is what democracy is suppose to about. Democracy, not Mocracy.
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The music of Phil Ochs saved my life 10 years ago. His earnestness, honesty and his willingness to speak up to both the conservative s and the liberals gave me hope that there are others like myself who see the sad state of our nation and the true price of freedom. Just think of the good a man like Phil Ochs could have done in the last two decades. We've no one like him now. Zach de la Roca and early Mason Jennings are as close as I've found for music to rally the people and they're no Phil Och
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One afternoon at the Newport Folk Festival, I think in 1964, I came across these two guys sitting under the shade of a tree drinking beer and talking about Mao and Castro and stuff and they invited me to join them and it was just an interesting time. Later one of the guys came on stage and was introduced as Phil Ochs.
The morning I read in the paper about his death I got on the bus and a woman was standing next to me looked at me and out of the blue she said “Its sad that Phil died, We will |
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Ochs is a singer that is probably more appreciated now then he was during his lifetime. There were a lot of "down" times in his career, but he was a keen observer of his times. At his best he was as good as anyone. At his worst he was still interesting and challenging. He would probably have a lot to say about the current situation in America. We miss you Phil.
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I was one of those "serious fans" who were "the only mourners" when he died. Ochs' and Lennon's deaths both devastated me. I too was severely depressed by the downward rightwing spiral we all (ironically, even the right-winger s , themselves, although they're too detached from themselves and true reality to realize it) suffered through. I, too, wanted to make and star in a film of Ochs' life. I identified with Ochs & Lennon. But I'm still here. - Pete Pearlman
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Phil Ochs......A voice crying out in the wilderness. His prophetic songs are as pertinent and powerful today as they were thirty years ago. He lives on in his music.
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Phil Ochs is very witty and he doesn't only sing you a song he dares you to understand them.
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I had the honor of seeing Phil Ochs play in the midst of an all-night political rally held at the Concord Bridge on the eve of the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolution, April 19, 1975. My political sensibilitie s and sense of social justice were solidified that cold night and continue to this day. Thank you, Phil.
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I rediscovered Ochs between Sept. 11, 2001 and our invasion of Afganistan a few months later. Our library has "farewells and fantasies". Wow, it was ever powerful
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There are some fine singer-songw r i t e r s working in similar ways to Phil Ochs, who have been ignored by most radio and even Pandora. Charlie King, Pat Humphries (and now Emma's Revolution with Sandy O), Bev Grant, Joe Jencks are a few that occur to me. Google them, and happy listening!
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