"Changes" by Phil Ochs (cover)

[Glennwillow]

One of my YouTube subscribers asked if I might cover this song recently. It was released on an in concert Phil Ochs recording from 1966. Below is the Phil Ochs version.



I ended up putting a capo on the 4th fret to pitch the song a little higher than Phil Ochs to help me sing the song on key better. This song jumps around so much vocally that it's a real challenge. But it's appealing because the melodic lines, at least to me, are very pretty.

I realized that Gordon Lightfoot covered this song on his first album ("Lightfoot") but only after I had already recorded this. Mr Lightfoot put a capo on the 2nd fret, so he sang this a little lower than I did, and he used a slightly faster tempo. So it's interesting to listen to the differences. Gordon Lightfoot did a masterful job on this song, as usual.



I used background photos in this video here from my daughter who took these in the fall on a walk; she lives in rural New England. This song foreshadows Phil Ochs' breakup with his wife, so while it's very poetic, it's not really a happy song.

If you are interesting in trying this song, HERE is a reasonably accurate list of chords and lyrics for "Changes."

Thanks for listening. The guitar, by the way, is a Gerald Sheppard GA Ave Maria -- a beautiful guitar. And thanks to my daughter for the photos!

- Glenn

[islandguitar]

Wow, Glenn.....cranking up the memories today (for me!). This is a song near to me as we used to play this in our folk group way back when. Loved Phil Ochs! Violets of Dawn might be a good one to try too!
Our version was much slower..... and for some reason only included a few of the verses, before coming round to the first and final verse. Not sure why....but I really appreciated hearing those additional lines.
Phil was a troubadour and a brilliant song writer who left us way too soon. Very sad...........
Thanks for sharing this....really nice job, Glenn!
Best,
Fred

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by islandguitar

Wow, Glenn.....cranking up the memories today (for me!). This is a song near to me as we used to play this in our folk group way back when. Loved Phil Ochs! Violets of Dawn might be a good one to try too!
Our version was much slower..... and for some reason only included a few of the verses, before coming round to the first and final verse. Not sure why....but I really appreciated hearing those additional lines.
Phil was a troubadour and a brilliant song writer who left us way too soon. Very sad...........
Thanks for sharing this....really nice job, Glenn!
Best,
Fred

Thank you Fred!

Oh how terrific that you know this song and know of Phil Ochs! That's when a cover like this has a whole lot more meaning! And it's really special that you used to perform this song with your folk group.

I know that way back in the 60s when I was in college ('66-'70) that I heard several folk groups sing this song. When my YouTube subscriber asked if I would do this, I looked up the song as done by Phil Ochs on YouTube and thought, "Oh, sure! I know this song!" But I completely forgot that Gordon Lightfoot did a cover of this. And as I put a capo on the guitar and kept moving it up the neck as my wife kept saying to me, "even higher...", I thought, man, this sounds just like a Gordon Lightfoot song!

I'm so glad you enjoyed this Fred! I thought I would just whip this out quickly, but I really had to work on the vocals before I could get a good recording. Holy cow! All those jumps!

I hope all is well for you and your family. I am great, my family's great.

- Glenn

[Frostie]

Wow, Glenn, thank you! I had almost forgotten about this great old song. You did it full justice, sir.

[Frostie]

Originally Posted by islandguitar

Violets of Dawn might be a good one to try too!

Motion seconded!

[islandguitar]

Thanks Glenn....sent you a PM.
Maybe a shot at "There But for Fortune"?

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by Frostie

Wow, Glenn, thank you! I had almost forgotten about this great old song. You did it full justice, sir.

Thank you Frostie!

I very much appreciate your comments! I'm so pleased that you thought this came out well! It sure is an oldy!

Thanks so much Frostie!

- Glenn

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by islandguitar

... Violets of Dawn might be a good one to try too!
...

Originally Posted by Frostie

Motion seconded!

Thanks Fred and thanks Frostie! I zipped right over Fred's suggestion and it really didn't register. So thanks Frostie for making sure it did.

I don't know "Violets of Dawn" but I just looked it up on YouTube and I will mess around with this and see if I can do it justice. I'll certainly give it a try!

Thanks so much to both of you!

- Glenn

[Organic Sounds Select Guitars]

It’s only vaguely familiar to me. I guess I’m a few years too young. But, I’m a fan now. Great job Glenn!

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by LWSog

It’s only vaguely familiar to me. I guess I’m a few years too young. But, I’m a fan now. Great job Glenn!

Hi Larry!

Thanks so much! You are always so generous with your time and your support for fellow musicians!

I am guessing that this song was first recorded about the time you were born (c. 1965) so this is a little early in your life, Larry! But it's never too late to learn something new!

I appreciate your thoughts and comments Larry! You take care!

- Glenn

[Frostie]

Originally Posted by Glennwillow

Thanks Fred and thanks Frostie! I zipped right over Fred's suggestion and it really didn't register. So thanks Frostie for making sure it did.

I don't know "Violets of Dawn" but I just looked it up on YouTube and I will mess around with this and see if I can do it justice. I'll certainly give it a try!

Thanks so much to both of you!

- Glenn

This is my favorite version. I used to put the LP on my stereo, needle-drop to this track, lie down on the floor with my head between the speakers and just let these amazing harmonic lines wash over me. I bet you could kill it.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TckZaa-PTrc

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by Frostie

This is my favorite version. I used to put the LP on my stereo, needle-drop to this track, lie down on the floor with my head between the speakers and just let these amazing harmonic lines wash over me. I bet you could kill it.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TckZaa-PTrc

Thank you Frostie!

I did find that recording on YouTube yesterday, so I will study it and see what I can do with this song.

Thanks so much for your interest and support!

- Glenn

[MrEd]

Wonderful songs came out of the sixties. You do them all very well.
Thanks for sharing.

Mike

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by MrEd

Wonderful songs came out of the sixties. You do them all very well.
Thanks for sharing.

Mike

Thank you Mike!

It's nice of you to listen and to take the time to comment here! I appreciate the support!

- Glenn

[B-Nads]

Smoothe as buttah!!! As always ;-)

Great job, Glenn.