Phil stayed with me on his first British tour. He was sane, very pleasant, and loved my mother's cooking. We sat up till late at night playing mostly Buddy Holly records. He did a great concert in Nottingham the night before. He signed my visitors book "Phil Ochs. Hanoi"
On stage I understand the above quote about him being uncomfortable. An audience member shouted out a couple of times for "The Thresher", Phil told him to stop being disrespectful! The temperature in the auditorium dropped a couple of points. However, as said, the songs were great and can only be judged in the context of the times.
I read about his suicide on a train and wrote "Song for Phil Ochs" which I recorded on my "Someday" album in the 70's.