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

Home

Chords of Fame

  • Print

Chords Of Fame was a 2-LP compilation of folksinger Phil Ochs' career, compiled by his brother shortly after Ochs' death in 1976. Released on A&M Records, it compiled tracks Ochs had recorded for both that label and Elektra Records. The compilation included several rarities:

  • An electric version of "I Ain't Marching Anymore", released as a single in the UK in 1966
  • Both sides of a 1974 single:
    • "Power and the Glory", recorded with a fife and drum corps
    • "Here's to the State of Richard Nixon", a revision of "Here's to the State of Mississippi", taped live at Max's Kansas City
  • An acoustic version of "Crucifixion" recorded at Carnegie Hall on March 27, 1970, at the show that had produced Gunfight at Carnegie Hall

The three singles had not been available previously on any album.

As with many compilations, favoritism abounds on the album. Seven tracks from Ochs' third album and four from his first appear, while only one song each is included from his second and fifth albums. No tracks from Ochs' seventh album are included, and his remaining albums are represented by two or three songs apiece. With the exception of the 1997 box set, never again would Elektra material be released on A&M, or vice versa.

 

Track listing

All songs by Phil Ochs unless otherwise noted.

  1. "I Ain't Marching Anymore" – 2:47
  2. "One More Parade" (P. Ochs, B. Gibson) – 3:00
  3. "Draft Dodger Rag" – 2:07
  4. "Here's to the State of Richard Nixon" – 2:19
  5. "The Bells" (E. A. Poe with musical interpretation by P. Ochs) – 3:00
  6. "Bound for Glory" – 3:15
  7. "Too Many Martyrs" (Ochs, Gibson) – 2:46
  8. "There But For Fortune" – 2:35
  9. "I'm Gonna Say It Now" – 2:46
  10. "Santo Domingo" – 3:48
  11. "Changes" – 4:30
  12. "Is There Anybody Here" – 3:17
  13. "Love Me, I'm a Liberal" – 3:46
  14. "When I'm Gone" – 3:51
  15. "Outside of a Small Circle of Friends" – 3:41
  16. "Pleasures of the Harbor" – 4:59
  17. "Tape from California" – 3:39
  18. "Chords of Fame" – 3:32
  19. "Crucifixion" – 7:40
  20. "The War Is Over" – 4:25
  21. "Jim Dean of Indiana" – 5:02
  22. "Power and the Glory" – 2:21
  23. "Flower Lady" – 6:06
  24. "No More Songs" – 4:33

Source material

Personnel

  • Phil Ochs – Guitar, Vocals