Phil Ochs

Phil Ochs was under-appreciated during his lifetime but, over 30 years since his death, he is still cited by many as being an influence on their music, their politics and their careers. A contemporary and friend of Bob Dylan, although Phil never achieved the commercial success he craved, he led a generation through probably the most politically turbulent decade the world has ever seen.

Ultimately, Phil's internal turbulence proved too much for him, but he left us with a legacy of songs which are as relevant today, as they were when they were first written, 45 years ago.

For more information about Phil, please read the biography.

Phil Ochs Inspires Us Still

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Amchitka: The 1970 Concert That Launched Greenpeace

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Amchitka is a 2009 two-CD release of a recording of Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and Phil Ochs performing an October 16, 1970, benefit concert at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver. The event funded Greenpeace's protests of 1971 nuclear weapons tests by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission at Amchitka, Alaska.[1]

Irving Stowe, one of Greenpeace's founding members, organized the benefit concert, with the assistance of Joan Baez. She could not appear, but she connected Stowe with Mitchell and Mitchell requested her boyfriend of the time, Taylor, join the concert. The Stowe family held onto tapes of the concert, but were not able to obtain the necessary clearances until John Timmins, brother of Cowboy Junkies members, became involved with Greenpeace. Timmins was instrumental in contacting Mitchell and Taylor's representatives and working out the necessary permissions.[2]

Track listing

Disc One

  1. Introduction Irving Stowe 1:38
  2. Introduction of Phil Ochs 0:11
  3. "The Bells" (Edgar Allan Poe, Phil Ochs) 3:09
  4. "Rhythms of Revolution" 4:25
  5. "Chords of Fame" 2:47
  6. "I Ain't Marching Anymore" 3:01
  7. "Joe Hill" 7:10
  8. "Changes" 3:36
  9. "I'm Gonna Say It Now" 2:57
  10. "No More Songs" 3:49
  11. Introduction of James Taylor 0:32
  12. "Something in the Way She Moves" 3:09
  13. "Fire and Rain" 3:52
  14. "Carolina in My Mind" 4:39
  15. "Blossom" 2:30
  16. "Riding On a Railroad" 3:04
  17. "Sweet Baby James" 3:27
  18. "You Can Close Your Eyes" 2:31

Disc Two

  1. Introduction of Joni Mitchell 0:17
  2. "Big Yellow Taxi"/"Bony Maroney" (Larry Williams) 4:00
  3. "Cactus Tree" 4:28
  4. "The Gallery" 4:26
  5. "Hunter" 2:36
  6. "My Old Man" 4:29
  7. "For Free" 5:08
  8. "Woodstock" 5:16
  9. "Carey"/"Mr. Tambourine Man" (Bob Dylan) 10:13 [duet with Taylor]
  10. "A Case of You" 4:44
  11. "The Circle Game" 2:38 [duet with Taylor]