Friday, March 2, 2012

Tape From California, Phil Ochs, 1968

This one's been hard to write about. I have lots of affection for Phil Ochs but with the notable, and glorious, exception of the title song, the songs on this album are pretty weak. Even on the weak songs, I love his voice.

The title track is spectacular because the music, lyrics and attitude come together to evoke the chaos of 1968. It's Ochs's response to the hippies and the drug culture, accepting not judgmental. I love this song and I only heard it this year for the first time. It's also one of Ochs's many "My Back Pages," questioning protest and embracing the emotions.

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