Phil Ochs and George W. Bush

Subject: Phil Ochs and George W. Bush
From: 30button
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 08:19 AM

Listening to Pandora Radio, I heard an old Phil Ochs cut, and I was struck with this thought: what would Phil make of George W? What a tragedy that we have nobody today with Phil's vicious accuracy about the state of the world and his ability to use music to arouse people politically.

Phil, we need you now more than ever.

Subject: RE: Phil Ochs and George W. Bush
From: GUEST,The Devonian
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 08:35 AM

Doesn't take much imagination to guess what Phil would have made of George W Bush.

The wrong guy departed early.

Subject: RE: Phil Ochs and George W. Bush
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 08:36 AM

I'd vote for that one mate, he told it like it was at the time. Unfortunately 'like it was', is still 'like it is' today.
Giok

Subject: RE: Phil Ochs and George W. Bush
From: NormanD
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 08:38 AM

Phil Ochs is long gone, sadly. But I can't agree with your "What a tragedy that we have nobody today with Phil's vicious accuracy about the state of the world and his ability to use music to arouse people politically."

David Rovics is one person, at least, who knows what's going on - not just about Bush but about the people and the system his kind represent:
http://www.davidrovics.com/

And, in the UK, Robb Johnson is another with a similar outlook, world-view, and an ability to perform cutting-edge and melodic songs:
http://www.robbjohnson.co.uk/

Let's not just miss the long-gone troubadours, but listen to and support those around us now.

I'm sure there are many more whose names we don't yet know.

Norman

Subject: RE: Phil Ochs and George W. Bush
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 08:57 AM

Ah Norman, it's the being known that makes the comments carry more weight I'm afraid.
Let's hope the work of these latter day protest songwriters reach as many as Phil did in his heyday.
Giok

Subject: RE: Phil Ochs and George W. Bush
From: GUEST,clickified links
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 09:31 AM

NormanD-

These should work...

http://www.robbjohnson.co.uk/

http://www.davidrovics.com/

Subject: RE: Phil Ochs and George W. Bush
From: GUEST,john f weldon
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 09:37 AM

Sorry, clickified links above was just me, mistyping as usual. But the links work, to which I add my own...

http://www.weldonalley.ca/songs/nowsongs.html

...do the top two songs count as topical? Okay, I ain't Phil Ochs. There's also Private Betty here, but even I thought it kinda sucked...

http://www.weldonalley.ca/old_other/oldother.html

John

Subject: RE: Phil Ochs and George W. Bush
From: Rog Peek
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 03:18 PM

Many of Phil's songs would fit as well today as when he wrote them:

Cops of the World
I Ain't Marching Anymore
The War is Over
Here's to the State of Richard Nixon (Subs. GWya)
Are a few suggestions.

I have a recording of SNCC Freedom Singers Matthew and Marshall Brown singing:
'Nato's Bombing in a Balkan Land', their adaptation of 'White Boots Marching in a Yellow Land'

I'm sure another adaptation could be written for the latest debacle.

Phil Ochs lives on!

Subject: RE: Phil Ochs and George W. Bush
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 05:16 PM

There are several other voices speaking out.

Set One

W and Hail to the Thieves

The Liar Sleeps Tonight

Subject: RE: Phil Ochs and George W. Bush
From: GUEST,Downgirl
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 07:05 PM

Whilst I agree that Phil Ochs was special and we must keep his music alive, there are others keeping the banner flying. Steve Earle is a great example. His albums "The Revolution starts .. now" and " Jerusalem" are overtly protest and politics. Also his song "Christmas in Washington" was his expression of shock and disbelief at the election of George W. for his first term.

Subject: RE: Phil Ochs and George W. Bush
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 08:10 PM

Tom Paxton is doing a fine job carrying the tradition.

Subject: RE: Phil Ochs and George W. Bush
From: GUEST,TIA
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 11:13 PM

So is Neil Young...

Subject: RE: Phil Ochs and George W. Bush
From: 30button
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 08:03 AM

No doubt there are good political singer/songwriters today, but Phil was unique in the way he tapped the passions of a movement, and in the way he used his music to politically galvanize people. And some of his songs became ANTHEMS. I was there when he sang " I ain't marching any more" in Grant Park in 1968, and the impact on the crowd was nothing short of electrifying.

Glad there are people following in his footsteps, but he had a special talent, and was part and parcel of an unusual time.