I was about to start a thread about this interview, but Kat beat me to it.
click here for tape or transcript

As Odetta explained, she is a classically trained singer, and loved oratorio and German Lieder, and had planned since she "is a bit of a preacher" to work with other singers doing Oratorio performances in churches and schools. Then... she discovered folk music. She got a guitar and learned three chords "G, C, and easy F" and with "those three chords and a capo.... oh!...." she was off exploring all kinds of American folk music. This interview reminded me of our thread on What is a good voice? I can certainly hear the training Odetta uses in her vocal ability to sing all kinds of music, the range, the power, the agility. After 50 years as a recording folk singer, her voice is as great as ever. This new recording is blues. It was a long and very interesting interview, including her singing and talking about other performers.

alice flynn in montana