"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."
The essence of Ochs captured well right here...
William E. Adams | Midland, Texas USA | 08/09/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Folkie ochs at his best
Mark Bychowski | houston tx | 09/09/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Singing down the years to us
R. Banker | United Kingdom | 12/30/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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.'"