Woodstock to host musicians in annual tribute to Phil Ochs
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091205/NEWS/912050325
By DB Leonard
December 05, 2009
Each year in December, 20 to 30 events in cities across the country
honor the life and music of folk singer Phil Ochs, who created a
spirited legacy with his song catalog and political activism.
Based in Beacon, The Flames of Discontent will present the fourth
annual Woodstock Phil Ochs Fest Saturday at the Colony Cafe. The
band, featuring John Pietaro on vocals and electric banjo and Laurie
Towers on vocals and electric bass, has been celebrating the music of
Phil Ochs since its first release in 2005.
"People have been creating protest art for as long as there have been
issues to sing about," said Pietaro. "There's always been singing to
get through the hardest times."
Ochs born Dec. 19, 1940 studied journalism and considered his
songs topical. He found music to be a perfect vehicle to address the
changing times.
Pete Seeger called the process of putting new words to old melodies
the "folk process." Ochs introduced fresh sounds to folk songs,
expanding the instrumentation beyond a singer and a guitar. He often
composed on the piano, changing the harmonic approach to classic folk
melodies. His singing style was big and broad, famous for its warmth
and vibrato.
Ochs was struck by the complacency of the American public, and how
society seemed to be evolving. A recurring theme in Ochs' work is a
concept of alienation. Ochs suffered greatly from depression and
according to Pietaro, "looked out his window and saw more." In the
end, disappointment fueled his mental illness, which led to his
suicide in 1976.
The world of Phil Ochs wasn't all dark. He was renowned for his
wicked sense of humor. Much of the lasting appeal of Phil Ochs is the
sardonic nature of his lyrics, with song titles such as "Love Me, I'm
a Liberal" and "My Kingdom for a Car."
"At some point you just can't mourn; sometimes you need to laugh,"
Pietaro said.
Performers at this year's Woodstock Phil Ochs Festival also include
songbird duo Graham and Barbara Dean, self-proclaimed beat-bop punk
poet Greg Englesson (aka Mr. E) and Pat Lamanna from Poughkeepsie.
Gus Mancini will be sitting in with The Flames of Discontent on alto saxophone.
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IF YOU GO!
The Woodstock Phil Ochs Festival
When: 8 p.m. Dec. 5
Where: Colony Cafe, 22 Rock City Road, Woodstock
Call: 679-5342
Visit: www.flamesofdiscontent.org
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