Odetta And The Blues

Odetta, a cherished icon of the 1960s folk music movement, always intertwined blues into her extensive repertoire of folk songs. Her commanding contralto voice and authoritative delivery evoked the grandeur of Bessie Smith when she ventured into the blues territory. In 1962, Riverside Records had a stroke of brilliance when they invited Odetta to the studio to record an entire album dedicated to the blues, reminiscent of the classic style of the Twenties. The instrumental jazz accompaniment, featuring luminaries such as trumpeter Buck Clayton, trombonist Vic Dickenson, clarinetist Herb Hall, and pianist/arranger Dick Wellstood, leaned slightly towards modernity, yet captured the essence perfectly on this exceptional album.

Odetta, a central figure in 1960s American folk music, possessed a commanding voice and profound ability to blend folk, blues, and gospel influences. Her resonant contralto and powerful delivery drew comparisons to blues icon Bessie Smith. Odetta’s repertoire, rich with traditional songs and spirituals, often reflected themes of social justice. She used her music as a tool for activism, performing at rallies alongside civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. Her influence transcended folk music, shaping generations of artists including Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. Odetta’s legacy endures as a trailblazer in American music and a symbol of social consciousness.