20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Phil Ochs

As is usually the case, a Phil Ochs compilation will either fall on the Elektra Records side of his career (i.e., 1964-1966) or the A&M side (1967-1970). This collection summarizes the A&M years, when Ochs had moved beyond the role of first-rate political journalist/folksinger and become a more personal songwriter with deep political interests and a baroque musical sense that turned his songs into some of the most adventurous music of the late '60s. Twelve tracks are too few to fully make his case, but songs such as "Pleasures of the Harbor," "The Crucifixion," "Rehearsals for Retirement," and "No More Songs" forgive a few omissions. "Outside of a Small Circle of Friends" was a brilliant novelty, a pointed jab at people's neutrality in the face of horror—in this case the murder of Kitty Genovese and the failure of the neighbors who witnessed it to call the cops. (It's done in a jaunty player-piano style.) A live version of "I Ain't Marchin' Anymore" from 1970 brings his career full circle with a passionate performance of his early anthem.