Customer Reviews

In Concert

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4 star:		(2)
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This album was my introduction to Phil Ochs. I was 14 years old when my brother brought home the album. To say that I was stunned is a huge understatement. I was floored.

The anger, the eloquence, the irony and the hope in Phil's words and in his voice cut through me then, and cuts through me now, 31 years later. How can you listen to "Love Me, I'm a Liberal," and not realize that those same people live in our neighborhoods even today? How can you listen to "Canons of Christianity" and not recognize the same hypocrisy today? How can you listen to Phil's wonderful casting: "John Wayne plays Lyndon Johnson and Lyndon Johnson plays God," and not laugh from amusement and the grim reality of the truth of that line?

And then, almost eerily, Phil delivers his epitaph 8 years early on "When I'm Gone." Hearing the song today still sends shivers through me.

He left us far too early, but Phil Ochs left behind a wonderfully rich legacy. Buy this CD if you haven't already. You will not regret it for a minute.

Do wars in Afghanistan, the Phillipines, and maybe Chechnia seem vaguely familiar? When the NY Times says (as it did on the front page 3/5/02) that the numerically and qualitatively superior American forces will eventually defeat the enemy, do you feel that you have seen this before? Are you feeling oddly out of step with the rest of the country?

Then perhaps it's time to revisit this CD - especially if you still have it in record form. "Cops of the World" has never seemed so fresh or appropriate. "Love me I'm a liberal" has the right sentiment, but it's a little old. "Changes" is still beautiful.

Buy it.

I saw Phil in concert just a few months before this album was issued back in the days, and he did at least eight of these 11 songs while standing about 20 feet from my seat. It's one of my treasured memories. There are compilation CD's available now which are perhaps better values ("There But for Fortune" is the one I own) but this one is a great introduction to some of Phil's best songs. And the reviewers who are posted here already have it right...the more things change, the more they seem to stay the same. Many of the issues Phil was distressed by are still with us. I wish Mr. Ochs himself had found the grace, mercy or courage to conquer his demons and stick around this life. He's been missed.

this is probably ochs' best collection of songs. and even though its been revealed that its not live at all, it still hangs together pretty well. his in between patter is still very funny and songs like ringing of revolution, canons of christianity, and the wonderful love me i'm a liberal (covered to great effect by mojo nixon and jello biafra) are terrific. until someone releases rehearsals for retirement on cd, this is the best phil you'll find.

This album is pretty well current as ever it was. It only needs a few name changes, example 'Cops of the World' for the war in Iraq.'Love me, I'm a Liberal' nails not only American liberals but Britain's New Labour. Phil's verbal intros are as much a memorable a feature of this album. His songs shift perspective and tone and reveals his awesome capacity for shifting from picturesque observation to savage observation (as in Bracero). His capacity to expose and demolish the mendacity of political doublespeak is unrivalled and consistent and the album closes with with both his own epitaph and the most gently and persuasive call for activism(as in his earlier and more obvious 'That's what I want to hear.'

Unfortunately for us (and the world), many of the songs on this album are still quite timely. The Bush Administration is reinstating the Bracero program, liberals (Democrats) are still selling us out, and altogether too many people are comfortable with the US being the Cops of the World. Ochs covers all of those topics in a manner that balances cynicism and commitment to change.

Phil Och's is criminally underappreciated by the mass music buying public and it is a darn darn shame. On this album, he spins great folkie oriented tales while strumming his acoustic guitar. He also jokes and banters with the audience which shows us what an interesting man he was.

Personally, i love this album because to me you can see that his music was heading to this very heady spot which would become "Pleasures of the Harbor".

If you love music which makes you think and are open-minded to a great voiced man of the past, give Phil Och in Concert a shot. You will be happy you did!

For those not "in the know" After a recorded concert not fit for release, Phil, et.al. rented a hall, and without a live audience, recorded this "Live" album. Nonetheless, the recording is clean, with good renditions and Phil is in control of his emotions and his drinking. Worth its price, it's a good listen. Just remember,that what you hear is not was you're being told you're hearing.

As an introduction to the man and his music this is the quintessential Phil Ochs record. The songs here represent some of the best works of this intelligent performer; brave and open statements of social, personal and political clarity. I simply love the vocals on 'Bracero' - "welcome to California..." gorgeous and yet stirring with emotion! Once this album is digested start listening to all the rest Phil left for us in the 60s.