This page is a bit of a tribute to Utah Phillips:folksinger,curmudgeon,hobo(if at heart now),icon,anarchist,pacifist,uppity cool old guy and maybe even...hero.Many now may know him through his 2 collaborations with Ani DiFranco but I prefer the folk.
Good Though was my introduction to Utah,it's an excellent disc of old country and folks songs and spoken words of humor,it was rereleased a few years ago and originally put out in the 70s I think before i was born(check out the digs at Spiro Agnew!)It's still funny as hell or haunting where it need be,selections range from a famous bit "Moose Turd Pie"about just that to tales of a dying train culture.
"The Telling Takes Me Home"is a very beautiful album as well.It's songs range from a hauntingly powerful song about the the first nuclear bomb taking into account the guilt the pilot of the Enola Gay may have felt to the perspectives of others.This particular song also has a spoken introduction of how he would watch the pilots traing in his youth and the power and repect they commanded from these children.Just as with "Good Though"this album is haunting and beautiful.
Utah callaborated with guitarist Mark Ross to create "Loafer's Glory".Hobo's and romantics types should procure this album for the poem"The Last Ride"which is one of those sad lump in your throat bits...There is a lot of excellent spoken word on here as well as great songs too.
The Past Didn't Go Anywhere" is the first collaboration with Ani DiFranco,It's Utah's stories backed by the "trip-hop"of Ani.Its beautiful and thought provoking,with tales of why he became a dropout from society as many know it,because of the horrors of war and teh after effects.Particularly interesting is the story of Ammon Hennecy the"Catholic,Pacifist,Anarchist..."who was teh mentor to Utah after he came back from Korea.
There are other albums by Utah I do not yet have so anyone else is welcome to add there 2 bits on them until I get them.There is the newest"The Moscow Hold...","I've Got To Know",another with Ani called "Fellow Workers",a collaboration with Rosalie Sorrels"The Long Memory",an album of Industrial Workers Of The World songs,"We Have Fed You All A Thousand Years".There is also an album, "Heartsongs:The Old Time Country Songs Of Utah Phillips"by Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin.
Sadly Utah's travels are cut short now because of heart problems but he still does occasional shows,who knows maybe I'll get out to California one day and catch him live!
as a note to all I will get some more info on here as well as links to where to get or listen to Utah's matierial.I am also going to see about getting permission to put some of his lyrics here..
thanks,
Your Pal
chris
Also,just as a lark,I wan't to let yall know that not everyone likes Utah.Some Mr.Pissypants thinks that Utah isn't enough of a hobo because he now has a home(shocking!)so he slaggs Utah for this crime herePretty silly...also here are the links to where the pics on the page come from...one_two.
