Replay : Remembering Two Pop Stereotype Shatterers

This feature spotlights noteworthy compilations and reissues .

Artists: The Flying Burrito Brothers, Phil Ochs.

Albums: “Farther Along--The Best of the Flying Burrito Brothers,” “The War Is Over--The Best of Phil Ochs” (A&M; cassette and compact disc).

History: Though A&M; Records has hardly been a bastion of historical archives, the label has dug into the deepest depths of its vaults and anthologized two of its more influential early artists. The Flying Burrito Brothers are credited with inventing “country-rock” at a time when the two stereotypes most associated with those genres--that is, rednecks and hippies--were supposedly at each other’s throats. Ochs too shattered many a stereotype in blending folk, rock and country, and was second only to Dylan in expanding on his folk base and proving that there is life after protest songs. Both albums are lengthy (the Burritos’ 21-song collection clocks in at over 65 minutes, while Ochs’ 16-song compilation is more than 70 minutes long) and well-annotated.

Sound: The “best of” in both titles could be regarded by some fans as a bit of a misnomer, since neither collection comes close to covering the artist’s entire career. The Burritos’ compilation includes only material from sessions for the group’s first two albums in 1969, when the late and legendary Gram Parsons was still in the group. The usual historical emphasis on Parsons as the architect of the group threatens to negate the contributions of partner Chris Hillman. Yet no fan would doubt that the band was at its best in its beginnings, with Parsons’ plaintive romantic pleas at the forefront. Such odd juxtapositions as the mixture of Sneaky Pete Kleinow’s country steel guitar with more typical distorted rock sounds of the period never again sounded quite so daring, quite so innocent.

Ochs’ collection includes only material from his 1968-70 reign at A&M; following several years with Elektra. For many fans, Ochs was past his prime by then; certainly most of the more political work from someone primarily remembered as a political singer was behind him at that point in his career.

But the more introspective side of Ochs (who committed suicide in 1976) has been less well-documented, making this recap even more valuable. Yes, there are a few Vietnam songs, but more representative of the latter part of his career are personal ruminations like “Rehearsals for Retirement” which deal with Ochs’ growing doubt about his role in the music scene and life in general. Also striking is the variety of styles here: light rock, string quartets, military bands, music-hall piano, even pure country. Two of the best tunes have backing tracks that could be straight off the latest Dwight Yoakam LP.

It’s fitting to remember that as left-wing a talent as Ochs once got booed by his own followers for singing “Okie from Muskogee” in concert. But, like Parsons, he had his own path to follow, however ahead of schedule--and late for the sky--he might be.