The War Is Over - The Best of Phil Ochs

There have been several attempts to summarize the best works of '60s folk singer Phil Ochs, and each compilation has spent time out of print or had limited availability. This collection covers Ochs' time at A&M Records, where he recorded his most beautiful and ornate material; it's many steps removed from the acoustic journalist/folk-singer era of his first three albums. "Kansas City Bomber" is the true rarity here; it's a 1973 single that was written for the movie of the same name but rejected. It stands as the final studio recording of Ochs' career. The live version of his early hit "I Ain't Marching Anymore" was considered rare at the time of this release. (However, the entire concert from Vancouver on March 13, 1969, has since been issued.) Hardcore fans will debate the inclusions and exclusions of key songs—and only two tracks from 1969's Rehearsals for Retirement does seem too few. But for a 16-track summary, this certainly gives the new fan an idea of what Ochs was capable of.