One of the last great union-organizing singer-songwriters, Utah Phillips walked the walk, spending a hobo's life on the road spreading the word on behalf of his blue collar brethren, always championing others over himself, always honest about his work as a folksinger and crafter of song.
Others have said it earlier and more thoroughly, several asking whether there are any like him left; many have shared the obvious originals in the wake of his passage. But it's never too late to say goodbye. Here's a few especially fitting coversongs from the folkworld for a short 'tween-posts tribute to one of our best voices of hope and solidarity.
- Kathy Mattea, Green Rolling Hills (orig. Utah Phillips)
- Kate Wolf, Rock Salt and Nails (ibid.)
- Joe Ely, Rock Salt and Nails (ibid.)
- Utah Phillips, See Here, She Said (orig. Kate Wolf)
Rest in peace, Utah. May your songs live on, and your dreams come to fruition.
