LOST(?) 1960s interview legendary musician PHIL OCHS

$

77

Hello. Up for sale is a reel to reel tape (7" in diameter) that plays at the 3 ¾ speed. Excellent sound.

I am fairly certain the program on this tape was recorded from a television show at the time of its airing. At one point Laura holds up one of Phil’s albums and says something like “Can you see that?” I doubt very much a microphone was simply placed in front of the TVs speaker. The quality is far too good (and clean). I don’t hear any ambient sound coming from the room. It must’ve been a direct connection to the set (or radio?). You won’t be disappointed with the sound quality. Almost sounds like it came directly off of the mixing board.

This lesson, begins with Laura tuning her guitar – thus allowing folks at home to tune theirs as well. Between guitar talk and chording, Laura performs Kumbya and John Harding. Then she introduces Phil Ochs. This interview segment runs about 8 ½ minutes. It’s a great interview. Phil is nervous and the first thing he says is “I cannot tell a lie.” Laura mentions her love of the song What’s That I Hear which she calls Freedom Calls. Then she pitches a Phil Ochs song book (“found in every music store across the country”) and his “several” records. She holds up the album “Phil Ochs in Concert.” Then she asks Phil how he got started – and the interview begins. Phil talks about his days at Ohio State (with roommate/musician Jim Glover) and that his first song was written during the first week he picked up a guitar. He talks about songwriting and the flash of inspiration, and how he never knows when it is going to strike: “Could be while you’re stealing a hubcap.” Another song, There But For Fortune, was written in Nebraska at night (in 10 minutes). Ochs says he wrote it at night because he wasn’t sure about “Nebraska during the day.” Laura talks about the direction of Folk music and Phil talks about the influence of “Negro rhythm and blues.” He also mentions his inspirations: Elvis, Buddy Holly, and the Everly Brothers. Then Phil talks about his love for his Gibson guitars and how guitars built “today” are basically crap – because guitar companies found out how to make money, and when you make money, quality suffers. The two talk about finding guitars in Pawn Shops. Phil mentions he uses steel strings and Laura bemoans the fact that she tells her students to use nylon strings. Phil is straight with her and says “Nylon is for that kind of person.” It’s a shot he softens a bit when he later says nylon is good for beginners. When the interview ends, Laura performs a few chords on her guitar and says she’s “playing him out” as he leaves the set.

There are many handwritten notes from the original owner that go with this reel of tape. It mentions lessons #26, #29, #36, and #37. After the Ochs interview you’ll hear Laura teach the “drum roll” effect for guitar, then play When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again. After that she talks/teaches then plays St. John’s Infirmary. After that she performs the Ochs hit What’s That I Hear. The taped program ends before the song ends, and another show immediately follows. I have yet to listen to the second half of this tape, but according to the notes Laura plays Easy Rider and there is a guest named “Larry.” 

At the beginning of this interview, Laura mentions that Phil isn't going to play. There is mention of a hand injury. Don't know if that was for real or a joke of some kind. Laura does get him to strum one chord on his guitar.

There are several more of these Guitar, Guitar programs (or maybe they are Folk Guitar shows) on other tapes in the lot I purchased. I just listened to a few and there are a many varied songs performed by Laura Weber. If the winning bidder is interested in these, just pay for Priority shipping and I will include them in a Flat Rate box along with the Ochs reel. One thing I noticed is that Laura ended each show with the Ochs song Whats That I Hear. She liked it so much she made it her closing theme. After a verse and chorus or so, the song fades out. On one tape, there two shows on the same side of the tape. One can be heard on the Left Channel and the other on the Right Channel. All are recorded extremely well. As I listened to this tape, I flipped between channels (to hear both shows) and jotted down a few songs Laura plays and sings: Rider; East Virginia Blues; Sloop John B; Single Girl; Yellow Bird; Old Texas; All My Trials, Lord; and Barbara Ellen. On two tapes I have yet to listen to, there are two guests. One is Larry Hanks, and the note on the other tape reads "Visitor - jazz guitarist Julius Simmons." Lots and lots of other songs on these other tapes.

The winning bidder to pay $3 for Media shipping with Delivery Confirmation if you just want the Ochs tape. If you want the other shows on the other reels, the cost would be $12 for Priority shipping. Canada and Overseas (for just the Ochs reel) would be $15 for Priority International. Thanks and good luck!

By the way, I found what I was looking for in this batch of tapes: amateur Home Recordings. The woman who (presumably) recorded these shows was herself a fledgling guitarist/singer. One tape is full of her music. That one I'm going to keep. Here's my website (devoted to Home Recordings on disc only): http://www.snapshotsinsound.com