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ikeaalien's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
aaronchance25's review
5.0
Reading about the struggles of Och's life was incredibly sad. This book is a detailed and engaging biography of a flawed and forgotten artist. If you are a fan of Phil Och's music, then you will be a fan of this book.
f_m's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
joelfaulkner's review
5.0
A poignant, well-researched, and in depth look into the life of an often overlooked soul. Ochs' life was too bright to fade, it was always destined to be snuffed out. The troubles and difficulties that plagued him throughout his life are lade bare, as is Ochs' incredible passion and energy. His mixed desires to be on top, and to change the world. A fascinating read, a fascinating guy.
leucocrystal's review against another edition
5.0
This only took so long for me to read because apparently the mechanism that usually controls my ability to focus and read at my normal pace has been completely broken by quarantine, which has been absolutely maddening.
But then, of course, reaching the final chapters slowed me down anyway, because of the terribly sad end Phil came to, and knowing it was coming.
That said, it's a wonderfully comprehensive, even-handed account of his short but full life, and really gets into how and why he recorded what he did, when and why he released what he did and played for and with who he did, and all the ways the cruelties of the world and the slow march of undiagnosed mental illness ultimately destroyed arguably the greatest American folk singer, and also why his art still carries such weight and beauty to this day.
But then, of course, reaching the final chapters slowed me down anyway, because of the terribly sad end Phil came to, and knowing it was coming.
That said, it's a wonderfully comprehensive, even-handed account of his short but full life, and really gets into how and why he recorded what he did, when and why he released what he did and played for and with who he did, and all the ways the cruelties of the world and the slow march of undiagnosed mental illness ultimately destroyed arguably the greatest American folk singer, and also why his art still carries such weight and beauty to this day.
emmaliiiiine's review
4.0
A thoughtful biography of a complicated and brilliant person, which explores his life, his work, and the vibrant tumult of the '60s. Definitely would recommend to anyone interested in Phil Ochs and/or the folk scene in 1960s New York.
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