Ani & Utah Phillips Difranco, Fellow Workers

My grandfather was a Wobbly, a member of the I.W.W. whose songbook carried the legend, "songs to fan the flames of discontent." My father taught me two of the songs on this album, "Pie in the Sky," and "I Dreamed I saw Joe Hill Last Night." In short, this is a highly partisan review.

That being said, if you want an enjoyable history of the American working class, with Utah Phillips at times moving and at other times funny commentary and singing, then buy Fellow Workers.

We need this reminder of the blood that has been shed for the eight-hour workday, the right to strike and all the other gains that working men and women fought and died for. Is it a museum piece? It may well be. On the other hand, perhaps it will awaken in some the curiosity to discover why the bourgeoisie, rather the Bush-eoisie, hates workers who see through their lies. Perhaps in others it will awaken the desire to resist.