death of Utah Phillips

When I read the news I almost cried. I listened to the two albums he did with Ani and bought We Have Fed You for a Thousand Years (which I'd listened to before) on iTunes. I know he'd have preferred I pirated it, but I wanted it right then and like supporting Philo (the label).

I disagree with on a number of things, but I appreciate his dedication to the good fight and his wit often succinctly laid bear truths about politics you'll not find in the pages of most political science journals.

Lisa has a post here. Democracy Now! has an interview here.

I saw him in 2001 as part of Winterfolk I think the festival was called. I also saw David Carter and Tracy Grammer play: he died of a heart attack the following year.

I think the first time I ever heard the song "Joe Hil"l was Utah's recording. It's about how Joe lives on in song and struggle. The same is of course true of Utah. As another great folk-signer/agitator said "take it easy but take it."