The dynamic duo return to pay further respect to the legendary Phil Ochs on the 50th anniversary of his passing. And, with The War Is Over, Phil Odgers & John Kettle score another undisputable bullseye.
INTRODUCING…
It’s hard to believe – more than two years have passed since we waxed lyrical within these pages over Far Rockaway, the first volume of the songs of legendary songwriter Phil Ochs to be lovingly and respectfully compiled and interpreted by folk-rock mainstays Phil Odgers and John Kettle.
At this point, perhaps a few introductions would help. Phil “Swill” Odgers is the singer and songwriter with the enduring and legendary folk-punk band, the Men They Couldn’t Hang. John Kettle is guitarist and songwriter with ATB favourites Merry Hell – providers of joyful folk-rock wherever, and whenever, such a commodity is required.
Phil Ochs shouldn’t need any introduction, but I’ll provide one anyway. A contemporary of Bob Dylan, Phil was one of the world’s major singer-songwriters throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Influenced by Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger – as well as by Dylan – Ochs was responsible for many of the most enduring protest songs (although he preferred the term ‘topical’) ever written. A complicated man, beset by both artistic frustrations and inner demons – the latter a result of his destructive relationship with alcohol – he took his own life in 1976 at the age of just 35.
ANOTHER PLUNGE
Speaking of Far Rockaway, back in April 2024, we were ebullient in our praise for Swill’s and John’s musicianship and for the respect, passion and deep understanding that they took to their interpretations of Ochs’ songs. We concluded our praise by predicting that: “You’ll play this album over and over again – and then you’ll set off on your own deep dive into the Phil Ochs songbook.” That’s a prediction that has, without doubt, become manifest in many households around this island. And, now, with The War Is Over; the Songs of Phil Ochs Vol 2, Swill and John prepare us for another plunge into Lake Ochs. So – masks, flippers and snorkels at the ready…
We’re honest folk here at At The Barrier, so we’ll come clean. We’ve already had a sneak preview of Phil’s and John’s latest Phil Ochs compilation. On the last day of July, the duo rode into town in Leamington Spa to run through much of this new album at Leamington’s Temperance venue. The show left our writer delighted – and moved him to describe this project as “tremendous” and “catnip for festival audiences.” Seuras Og has always had a fine way with words.
Swill and John completed The War Is Over exactly 50 years after Phil’s tragic suicide and it’s immediately striking how thoroughly relevant the chosen songs remain today. The songs were selected by Swill and his choices feature a mixture of the politically focused songs with which Ochs was most closely associated, alongside a few of Ochs’ more personal and intimate songs. Whether the subject is political or not, Ochs’ poetic lyrics never fail to provide insight into the writer’s own motivations and into the human condition.
CHANNELING THE ANGER
A pair of nimbly-picked guitars provide the intro and backing to opening track, Automation Song. The sound is as clean as we’ve been primed to expect, with focus rightly given to Swill’s crystal clear vocals, as he sings of the familiar woes of a manual labourer whose skills and muscle are no longer required by those on whom he depends for his livelihood.
Anti-war songs are plentiful on The War Is Over and I Ain’t Marching Anymore is the album’s first such example. And it’s immediately clear that, with lyrics like “It’s always the old that lead us to the wars; always the young to fall,” that time has diminished not a shred of the poignancy of Ochs’ messages. There’s true passion in Swill’s vocal delivery and that passion is carried over to the album’s title track. The duo’s performance of the song is powerful and punchy and packed with the anger that Ochs must, himself, have felt when he wrote such lines as: “Prove your courage in the proud parade. Trust your leaders, where mistakes are almost never made.”
I’ve already mentioned the tenderer aspects of Phil Ochs’ writing and that’s a side that comes over clearly and so very effectively with the lovely Celia. And, with their interpretation of the song, Swill and John reflect Ochs’ sentiments perfectly. Swill’s voice is gentle and melodic and John’s mandolin evokes the island scenes of Ochs’ lyrics.
CONTINUED RELEVANCE
Perhaps the saddest aspect of this collection is evidenced by the many examples of how little humans’ behavior towards each other has changed over the past 50+ years. That sentiment is particularly striking with Remember Me and lyrics such as: “Remember me when the crosses are burnin’. Remember me when the racists come around.” Indeed, the album’s press release goes as far as describing the song as: “A song for the current state of the UK from 50 years ago.” Ochs’ lyrics issue a stark reminder that fascism has happened before and can happen again – and Swill and John wrap that message in a medium-paced tune that could almost be described as ‘jolly.’ And that’s always a potent means of putting a serious message across.
As we’ve seen, Phil Ochs had the wonderful ability to inspire self-reflection, even when his words were not overtly political. That’s the case with When I’m Gone, another fine song. Swill softens his vocal tones and, once again, the duo get the instrumental balance – guitar, mandolin and harmonica, absolutely right.
A short a cappella extract of the potent I’m Tired provides the prelude to a devastating version of Joe Hill that is, almost certainly, the album’s centrepiece. It’s a song that, having decided to tackle this project, Swill and John probably felt that they HAD to cover – and they do the song full justice.
“I LOVE THE CHOICE OF TRACKS”
The excellent songs just keep on a-comin’ and, as the duo demonstrate with What Are You Fighting For, the relevance of Ochs’ lyrics to the world in 2026 never fades. “I know you’re set for fighting, but what are you fighting for,” sings Swill and the message hits home: these are timeless songs that need to be sung again, again and again.
The choice of No More Songs to close this fine album was an inspired one. It’s a song with an anthemic quality and Swill and John present it that way. Everything that’s great about this album is encapsulated here – passionate, respectful vocals, flawless musicianship and pristine production. Phil Odgers and John Kettle have done it again!!
The War Is Over is a tremendous tribute to the work of Phil Ochs and I feel fully justified in concluding with the quote from Phil’s brother, Sonny, that’s included within the album’s packaging: “So glad that Phil Odgers has decided to record more of my brother’s songs. I love his choice of tracks and the fresh way they have been interpreted. Thanks to everyone for keeping the music alive!”
Amen to that.
Watch the official video to The War Is Over, the album’s title track, below:
Phil Odgers: Website