Terrific, Still Timely
LJFurman | New York | 10/06/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ochs is brilliant. The album is terrific. The covers, "Mona Lisa," the Buddy Holly and Elvis medleys, as he put it "formed his musical mind." "Okie From Muskogee" is great, there may be a hint of irony, but that was Phil. "Chords of Fame" always strikes a chord with me. "Pleasures of the Harbor," and "Tape from California," are perfect (well, ok, I love Phil. The interplay with the audience as he explains that his gold suit illustrates America - how do you use wealth responsibly? "Strip" a woman calls out, "I could never strip," he answers, "for that would be cheap." His description of the political environment was prescient.
Still, the question he raised in 1971 remains relevant: "How do we come to grips with wealth in America?"
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