The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #137326 Message #3140678
Posted By: Janie
22-Apr-11 - 07:08 PM
Thread Name: Obit: Hazel Dickens (1 Jun 1935 - 22 April 2011)
Subject: RE: Obit: Hazel Dickens (1935-2011)-died April 22
I heard the news just a little while ago, listening to NPR on the way home from work.
She was the real deal, in all respects. The NPR piece noted her influence on many, famous American female country and bluegrass singers. And many of us know of her influence on many of the fine singers of old-time and Appalachian-style a capella ballads that are "stars" in our much smaller "folk" universe. I'm glad of that. But Russ will know what I mean, and perhaps some others, when I say that with her passing, a species has gone extinct.
While Hazel was a fine musician, she never allowed the rawness and authenticity to be prettied-up. And whether she was singing an old ballad or one of her own compositions, she was singing about what she knew, and what she knew to be true.
The NPR piece closed with Hazel singing Pretty Bird, which I think is one of the finest examples of her a capella singing, as well as a fine example of her writing.
The tears keep welling up....