1959--Chicago--My first serious girlfriend insisted we go to the Gate Of Horn folk club to hear something called "an Odetta." After one set, I was hooked. And 20 years later I was opening shows for the grand Odetta at the Quiet Knight----another Chicago club. Sure, I loved her voice--but please, people, LISTEN closely to that guitar---those rhythms---and the picking!!! "I'm Goin' Back To The Red Clay Country" -- the duet of "Santy Ano" with Larry Mohr on the old Tin Angel LP. Wow! That's all there is to say. I am surely glad I got to hear her.

And then, years and years later, 1980, in the woods near Stevens Point, Wisconsin, we had a folksingers Rendezvous to try to become more business like in this strange folk trade we were in. We formed the advocacy group there called HEY RUBE because it was hard times U.S.A. -- yet again. At one point, we just NEEDED a break from the serious talk. Some of us became members of a second group that week too. It was called THE FAT FOLKSINGERS OF AMERICA. The membership card featured a drawing of Wimpy eating a hamburger. And the motto of the group was, "I MAY BE FAT, BUT I'M NOT STUPID." --- Among other things, as an initiation you had to TELL ODETTA THAT SHE WAS A MEMBER!!!----

Nobody wanted to do that. That's how formidable Odetta was in real life. She was simply a magnificent flame of life with a voice that hit you like Thor's tool of choice---both thunderous and as celestial as a hammer-dulcimer too.

One guy did, I was told, have the nerve to give a membership card to her --- and also, show her the secret handshake. (Hiking up your pants at the belt with the left hand while shaking hands with the right.) Do ya wanna guess who that guy was??? (SCROLL DOWN!)







Dave Van Ronk -- of course.

Odetta, rest peacefully; And Thank you!!
Art Thieme