Tune du Jour: “There But For Fortune” – Phil Ochs
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Joan Baez vs. Disappear Fear vs. Rex Fowler
VOTE, COMMENT, then TAKE OUT THE GARBAGE
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The Original
Phil Ochs:
Perhaps Phil’s most poignant effort. Outstanding poetry! Dylanesque!
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Joan Baez vs. Disappear Fear vs. Rex Fowler
Joan Baez:
Disappear Fear:
Rex Fowler:
SPACE
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. It is your solemn responsibility to decide which cover song prevails. In other words … Which Side Are You On!??!
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
cover me impressed 
Love Phil Ochs. Such a talented artist and spokesman for the downtrodden. Wracked with lifelong depression he took his own life at 37. What a loss to society. Who knows how much provocative music and much needed leadership we lost because of his ailment …
This type of tune is right in Joan’s wheelhouse. Hard to argue with her beautiful rendition.
I’m admittedly late to the game regarding Phil Ochs. I know of his importance in the folk music/protest scene. I even have a biography, Death of a Rebel on my bookcase (given to me by RDubbs decades ago, and still begging to be read), but hadn’t really heard much of his stuff. Then, last year, I found a 3-CD boxed set at a garage sale for $5, and finally got to hear his brilliance.
Disappear Fear’s version is lovely, with those nice harmonies. Rex Fowler’s reggae/jazzy version is an interesting take. But I have to give it to Joan Baez. It’s the kind of song that’s tailor made for her voice, and she doesn’t disappoint.
I was looking through my cd collection and was surprised to see that I have four Phil Ochs live albums. I didn’t even realize that there were that many live releases available. Listening to them is almost painful knowing that he would subsequently be in such despair as to take his own life. The guy’s banter in between songs was so spontaneous and witty. It was priceless. Billy Bragg was obviously heavily influenced by Ochs. Indeed he did a nice tribute song to him. Once again, so sad he didn’t stick around longer to bless us with more songs and charm.
I finally got around to watching last year’s Dylan biopic the other day. Joan’s character plays this song in the film. The Dylan character says of Joan, “She sings pretty. A little too pretty.” I took that to mean her vocal style was too flowery, excessively ornate. I never bought anything by her, while I was gobbling up everything I could get my hands on by Dylan, Ochs and acts I liked.
I was introduced to “Death of a Rebel” by a guy who worked at a record store near campus that I frequented. I didn’t even really know this guy, but he noticed me buying Ochs records and told me he had a great Ochs biography. Probably wasn’t easy to get in those days, and here he is loaning it to some college kid he barely knew.
Joan B’s take is admittedly a timeless classic, and I can’t argue with that vote, but that reggae version somehow struck a chord with me. Something about that Marley-esque protest vibe, both timely and timeless. I’ve been enjoying watching old Denzel flicks lately, just love his screen presence, and recently discovered he did a take on Biko that I missed. I once saw a great doc on Desmond Tutu, and he described his admiration for his fearless friend Biko, Biko long gone, Tutu more recently… where are the voices to replace them?
Joan B’s take is admittedly a timeless classic, and I can’t argue with that vote, but that reggae version somehow struck a chord with me. Something about that Marley-esque protest vibe, both timely and timeless. I’ve been enjoying watching old Denzel flicks lately, just love his screen presence, and recently discovered he did a take on Biko that I missed. I once saw a great doc on Desmond Tutu, and he described his admiration for his fearless friend Biko, Biko long gone, Tutu more recently… where are the voices to replace them?
And how the hell do i stop this thing from posting everything i say twice,
Probably annoying enough go have to see my comments one time😆
Great early Ochs song. Joan Baez was everything you’d expect: solid, earnest, straightforward and sincere. I’ve seen the name Disappear Fear but I can’t remember hearing them. Very impressive! Got my vote with the fine harmonies. Beautiful version. Don’t know anything about Rex Fowler but it was weird. Light reggae-tinged jazz? Sounds like something I heard when I slipped into a nod from being over nitroused by the dentist.
Great early Ochs song. Joan Baez was everything you’d expect: solid, earnest, straightforward and sincere. I’ve seen the name Disappear Fear but I can’t remember hearing them. Very impressive! Got my vote with the fine harmonies. Beautiful version. Don’t know anything about Rex Fowler but it was weird. Light reggae-tinged jazz? Sounds like something I heard when I slipped into a nod from being over nitroused by the dentist.