Obit: Odetta has died (1930-2008)

Subject: RE: Obit: Odetta has died (2 December 2008)
From: Stephen Alcorn
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 06:16 PM

Dear Kat, Azizi, and Virginia:

Thank you, thank you, thank you all for your kind words re my song, and for the thoughtful (and beautifully expressed) insights you've so graciously posted. They are much appreciated.

Incidentally, it may interest you to know that I am in the process of completing a picture book celebrating Odetta's life in music (Odetta: The Queen of Folk; Scholastic; fall, 2009). My ODE TO ODETTA is a part of this project.

Once again, I thank you for your thoughtful comments.

Day is gone.
Gone the Sun.

Long live Odetta,

Stephen

P.S. Those of you wishing to contact me may do so via the following:

The Alcorn Studio & Gallery
112 West Main Street
Cambridge, New York 12816
Telephone: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
http: www.alcorngallery.com

Should you wish to listen to a homespun demo, you may do so via the following links/pages of my website:

LYRICS:

http://www.alcorngallery.com/adesso//media/OdeToOdetta_lyrics.php

MP3 AUDIO DEMO:

http://www.alcorngallery.com/adesso//media/Ode-To-Odetta.mp3

ADESSO page:

http://www.alcorngallery.com/adesso//adesso_mp3_samples.php

And on a purely visual note:

MODERN MUSIC MASTERS cycle of portraits:

http://www.alcorngallery.com/rbp/relief-block-prints.php

The Alcorn Studio & Gallery
112 West Main Street
Cambridge, New York 12816
Telephone: [phone]

e-mail: [e-mail]
http: www.alcorngallery.com

links activated by Muderator

Subject: RE: Obit: Odetta has died (2 December 2008)
From: Tootler
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 07:02 PM

Incredible voice.

I never saw her live, and just once on TV, but I never heard anyone who could create such rhythmic drive with just the voice.

RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Odetta has died (2 December 2008)
From: Big Mick
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 07:45 PM

Fellow 'Catters, I urge you to go to Stephen Alcorn's site. I will be ordering a number of his block prints over the coming months. Wonderful work, Stephen. I think I am going to be one of your big fans. And be sure to download his Ode to Odetta. It is a wonderful piece of work.

All the best,

Big Mick Lane

Subject: RE: Obit: Odetta has died (2 December 2008)
From: GUEST,Tom Nelligan
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 09:20 PM

About ten years ago I had a chance to interview her after a gig at the Iron Horse in Northampton, Massachusetts, in connection with an article for "Dirty Linen" magazine. Having seen her before but never having met her, I was expecting a formidable presence and possibly a challenging interview, since I got the impression that she didn't suffer fools and I had a fear of making a slipup. This was reinforced by the way she theatrically skewered a guy whose primordial cellphone rang during the show. She abruptly stopped her song, stared at him, and said something like, "We'll all just wait for a moment while you take that call" while the cellphone guy melted into his seat. In fact, she was sweet and gracious and a complete delight to interview. I remember commenting afterward to the club manager about how nice she was. He said she reminded him of his granny.

Rest in peace, Miss Odetta.

Subject: RE: Obit: Odetta has died (2 December 2008)
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 10:15 PM

NPR had a nice remembrance by Daniel Zwerdling today on All Things Considered.

"All Things Considered, December 3, 2008 - Activist and singer Odetta has died. She was 77 years old. When you talk to some of the most famous singers in America, they'll tell you she inspired the way they sing. In fact, Bob Dylan once said that the first thing that turned him on to folk singing was Odetta. But Odetta was far more than a folk singer when she died from kidney failure and heart disease yesterday in New York.

The moment you saw and heard Odetta, there was no way you could forget her. She stood on the stage, back in her prime, like a lioness. Strong body. Strong stance. Short, short hair. Big earrings jangling like swords. One moment she'd grimace like something was hurting.

Then suddenly Odetta would smile. And you'd melt. ...."

There are several links there to a 2005 interview, YouTube performances, music to purchase, and more.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Obit: Odetta has died (2 December 2008)
From: Effsee
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 11:03 PM

So sad to hear this. She hoped, even when stricken with this latest illness, to sing at Obama's inauguration. At least she lived long enough to know of the great sea change in USA that it could happen.
RIP for a great lady and wonderful performer.
Condolences for her family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Odetta has died (2 December 2008)
From: GUEST,Sing-Along Steve
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 11:11 PM

The one and only thing I can say is that I have yet, to this day, after 35 years, to read an article about folk music that has not name-checked Odetta. Period. Although I am really unfamiliar with her music in specific, I have been a scholar (of sorts) of music as it relates to social change for many years now, and Odetta has always been named as basically the foundation stone of the structure that is socially-aware song.

If we all live as long as she did and survive the coming years with even a shred of the respect, love and dignity that she amassed, we will all be blessed indeed.

RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Odetta has died (2 December 2008)
From: Art Thieme
Date: 03 Dec 08 - 11:25 PM

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

Subject: RE: Obit: Odetta has died (2 December 2008)
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 04 Dec 08 - 09:35 AM

This Sunday I will be dedicating my three hour radio program to Odetta. I will be joined by former WFDU radio host Shirley Keller who was a good friend of Odetta's and traveled a bit with her in the 1980's. We may have a few other guests as well. We will be sharing memories, playing a lot of great music as well as archival interviews with Odetta from our archives. WFDU-FM's TRADITIONS airs from 3 to 6pm on WFDU-FM, 89.1 in the NYC area and streaming on the web at www.wfdu.fm .

Subject: RE: Obit: Odetta has died (2 December 2008)
From: JJ
Date: 04 Dec 08 - 09:40 AM

I saw her at West Virginia University sometime in the late Sixties. I treasure her LP of "Ballad for Americans." And she always credited her old friend from high school, Jo Mapes, with getting her into folk music.

Subject: RE: Obit: Odetta has died (2 December 2008)
From: GUEST,pattyClink
Date: 04 Dec 08 - 12:07 PM

Never heard her in person, but I am haunted this week by the sight and sound of her singing 'This Little Light of Mine'. And it wasn't just a song, it was a statement of purpose, and I think it was also advice and comfort for all of us.

Subject: RE: Obit: Odetta has died (2 December 2008)
From: voyager
Date: 04 Dec 08 - 12:57 PM

Here's the NY Time retrospective & recent interview with Odetta -

Odetta Tribute - NY Times Interview

I'm On My Way
voyager

Subject: RE: Obit: Odetta has died (2 December 2008)
From: Stephen Alcorn
Date: 05 Dec 08 - 10:55 PM

Thank you for your kind words, Big Mick.

I have been an admirer of Odetta's for as long as I can remember. I was fortunate to have come of age in a household that revolved, quite literally, around the arts. One of my earliest childhood memories is of my Mother listening to Odetta Sings The Blues. So her music has been a presence throughout my entire life. In my mind she has always been synonymous with a particularly momentous period in history, and the very embodiment of a certain proud, righteous indignation in the face of social injustice.

A few years ago I started making portraits of her, purely for my own satisfaction; I began to cultivate the notion of celebrating her life in music in picture book form. Somehow my portraits had been brought her attention; apparently she was quite taken with the portraits I was making at the time of several of the seminal blues musicians. We soon began to communicate, at first via telephone, then in person.

I will never forget the first time I met with her to discuss the project. When I arrived at her doorstep, she greeted me wearing the most beautiful African headdress and flowing cape; and on her feet were the most brilliant lavender shoes. When I complimented her on them, she smiled. then chuckled, and said , "well, I thought it only appropriate that I wear them for you today, seeing that you aim to do a PICTURE BOOK about me, right?". She was that cool.

Odetta would go on to bless Sabina and I (and our two daughters) with her friendship, her artistry, her insight, her wisdom, her courage, her pride, her generosity (we were her guests at many a concert)... and her sense of belonging to the human race--and to the Universe at large (of which she was, I believe, quite in awe). She taught by example.

I am so glad that she had a chance to see the book actually materialize. (In a matter of weeks it will go into production.) I am especially grateful that she managed to perform almost up until the very end (why only six weeks ago she sang to a crowd of 100,000 people in San Ffrancisco), and... that she lived long enough to see Obama actually be elected President (AND be the one invited to sing at his inauguration!).

I hope the above puts into some proper context our particular bond with Odetta.

Thank you all for sharing your remembrances of Odetta, Thank you for letting me share.

Stephen

The Alcorn Studio & Gallery
112 West Main Street
Cambridge, NY 12816
Tel. [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
on the web: www.alcorngallery.com

Subject: RE: Obit: Odetta has died (2 December 2008)
From: CapriUni
Date: 07 Dec 08 - 03:56 PM

When she walked out on stage, she took over that space, whether it was an enclosed theater, or an outdoor stage at a festival, she owned that space. And she had the sweetest, richest, deepest, voice I've ever heard, both in terms of its timbre, and the things it had to say.

I was in the front row of an outdoor concert, when I heard her introduce an old folksong from the South this way (may be paraphrased by memory):

"There's a proverb in the South that says you should never trust a crowing hen, or a whilstling woman; *Whistles the tune of the song*"

{sigh}

Subject: RE: Obit: Odetta has died (2 December 2008)
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 08 Dec 08 - 12:30 PM

Odetta introduced me to the genre of "Work Songs". They remain a central part of my musical life. She truly proved that music can change others. Rest in Peace, Odetta.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: Obit: Odetta has died (1930-2008)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Aug 17 - 02:06 AM

I came across this National Public Radio piece (click) about Odetta while looking for something else this evening. It's worth a listen.
-Joe-