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Starlight on the Rails is the most complete collection of Utah Phillips’s songs
ever released. Spanning 30 years of studio, live, and unreleased recordings
from “The Golden Voice of the Great Southwest,” this definitive set includes
Utah’s personal reflections about each song. It also includes renditions of
Utah’s songs by Kate Wolf, Rosalie Sorrels, and many others. Almost 5
hours on 4 CDs with a full-color 12-page booklet included. A must-have for
any music collection.
ABOUT THE PERFORMER
Utah Phillips (1935–2008) was a labor organizer, folk singer, storyteller,
poet and the “Golden Voice of the Great Southwest.” He described the
struggles of labor unions and the power of direct action, self-identifying as
an anarchist. He often promoted the Industrial Workers of the World in his
music, actions, and words.
ACCOLADES
“For anyone who’s a fan of Utah’s work, this is a must-have purchase.”
—Chris Nickson, Allmusic.com
“Utah Phillips has come out with the defining work of his career. Starlight
on the Rails is a four-CD collection with a personal introduction by Utah
to each track. It’s a musical documentary of his life experiences spanning
decades, more rich than any American history textbook. I can’t imagine
any folk fan not having this in their collection. Period.”
—Angela Page, Sing Out!
“Arguably the most important folk star to emerge after the ’60s revival,
Phillips creates a 4 CD epic of music and story, recounting his life through
his best songs. Intimate, droll, and fiercely felt, it is equal parts cultural
history and musical memoir.”
—Scott Alarik, Boston Globe
“Utah brings a message of defiance, disobedience, and solidarity . . . (and)
reminds us of a history that we were not taught in schools and colleges. They
tell us of people who, like us, seemed to be powerless before the might of
corporations, but who struggled and fought back, and changed their lives.”
—Howard Zinn, author of A People’s History of the United States
“Utah Phillips is surely one of the nation’s most unforgettable characters, as
will be attested to by people all over the U.S. who have heard him, guitar
in hand, hold forth on the ways of the world. What a joy now to have his
Songbook available. You will be going through it again and again.”
—Pete Seeger