In Concert – PHIL OCHS***

I’m Going To Say It Now/Bracero/Ringing Of Revolution/Is There Anybody Here/Canons Of Christianity/There But For Fortune/Cops Of The World/Santo Domingo/Changes/Love Me I’m A Liberal/When I’m Gone

In Concert was the only live concert album from folk musician Phil Ochs during his prime and includes many of his best remembered songs. There But For Fortune was made famous when covered by Joan Baez. (US:149)

"In Concert contains Ochs' strongest folk material. Love Me I'm A Liberal is the centrepiece. Though the references and jokes are, of course, a bit dated, the song's theme was prescient. To Ochs, progressivism demanded more than mere opinions: action and sacrifice were required if ideology was to serve any purpose.”

“Despite a block of really good songs that were written and performed by Phil this suffers a little because of the minimal arrangements. Phil started as a topical folk singer and the beauty was in the story telling and melody of the songs. Those attributes are evident throughout. In this case, with Phil only strumming some chords as his total backup, you really need a good voice and great material to have any success at all. Phil had that kind of talent and that is what saves this somewhat.”

“This one is a great introduction to some of Phil's best songs. And reviewers 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.”

“Phil Ochs is criminally underappreciated by the mass music buying public and it is a shame. On this album, he spins great folkie oriented tales while strumming his acoustic guitar. He also jokes and banters with the audience. If you love music which makes you think, and are open-minded to a great voiced man of the past, give Phil Ochs In Concert a shot.”

“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.”

“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. How can you listen to Love Me I'm A Liberal and not realize that these same people live in our neighbourhoods today?”