She was supposed to sing come January for Obama's inauguration. She's been touring the last few years in her wheelchair. Truly a remarkable woman, an inspiration, and damn did she ever have a staggering voice. R.I.P. posted by ageispolis at 9:43 PM on December 2, 2008
Her voice was astounding. And so was her commitment to struggle and so was her intellect. I found a recent interview with Tavis here. posted by serazin at 10:08 PM on December 2, 2008
ageispolis...Water Boy had my hair standing on end. What a powerful delivery.
It's not a well-known film, but "Dogfight," starring Lili Taylor has a wonderful scene in which she attempts to convey her enthusiastic admiration of Odetta to a character played by River Phoenix. Taylor plays it with a great combination of adoration for Odetta the artist and optimism for the world her music often expressed. That's where I first encountered Odetta.
There's something a bit dated in Odetta's style that probably means she won't be "rediscovered" in the same manner as Elizabeth Cotten, Fred Neil or Karen Dalton. I imagine she'll seem much more linked to an era and a movement than many lesser artists will. But to a time struggling with civil rights and integration, what a rock she must have been. Her strength and resolve were unmistakably hardcore. She'd had a beautiful soul. And they don't make them like her any longer, to our great loss.
Ah, damn. I believe she was slated to perform at Obama's innauguration, too. It's sad she won't be there to see it and take part. Real glad she could see the man elected, though.
There's something a bit dated in Odetta's style...
I've always wondered why Odetta wasn't a much bigger star. I always tried to like her much more than I actually could. Even in the sixties, she was really only tolerable in small doses. You heard Odetta and thought, "Wow, what a voice. What a face. What a presence." And moved on. I think that for all its power, her voice had a severely limited range. It wasn't a supple emotional instrument. What it did best was assert its own strength, which you had to acknowledge, if not enjoy. posted by Faze at 2:36 AM on December 3, 2008
Her voice and awareness occupied a huge presence and she was an inspirational and remarkably intelligent woman. I think I’ll put on Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues to commemorate her sad passing.
..[23 seconds in] OK, that’s enough. posted by applemeat at 4:04 AM on December 3, 2008
Shit, but the timing sucks. (And for Obama, losing his Toot as well)
. posted by cookie-k at 10:31 AM on December 3, 2008
I saw her at the Ottawa Folk Festival this August, a warm moonlit night. was completely blown away. I barely knew anything about her before then. I recorded some video of her performing "House of the Rising Sun" that I'll put together and link here as soon as its done.
So sad, I had another song she performed, stuck in my head all day yesterday.
Note to self: when it comes to seeing great musicians perform, do not pass it up, because it might be you last chance. posted by filthy light thief at 12:39 PM on December 3, 2008
(You'll have to forgive my fascination with the flying insects around the stage lights that i recorded for the first part of the video, I just found them kinda beautiful.) posted by troubles at 2:39 PM on December 3, 2008
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She was supposed to sing come January for Obama's inauguration. She's been touring the last few years in her wheelchair. Truly a remarkable woman, an inspiration, and damn did she ever have a staggering voice. R.I.P.
posted by ageispolis at 9:43 PM on December 2, 2008