Odetta

Shit.  This blog is starting to read like the obituaries.  Folk legend Odetta has died of kidney failure at the age of 77.  She played in our area less than two months ago too, at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival.  I was at the festival the day after she played, and definitely would have gone to see her if not for some schedule conflicts.

I did see her perform at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley a few years ago, and came away inspired.  She actually got the whole audience to sing Kumbaya by informing us that, "you cannot almost sing!"  In other words, give it your all or don't do it at all.  I use that advice when trying to get kids to sing along with camp songs at work, so this is one case where I've actually managed to hang on to that initial feeling of inspiration long after the fact.  This stands in stark contrast to the way things usually work - we all experience that rush, or catharsis, or surge of inspiration from witnessing live music.  It sometimes lasts a day or so, and often only lasts for a few fleeting moments.  With Odetta, the inspiration didn't go away. 

She was a powerful woman.

Of course, I've been listening to Odetta since I was in elementary school (not counting the years when I pretty much only listened to heavy metal and punk).  My mom had some of her records.  Now, sitting here typing this, I'm going to pull out an Odetta record, or perhaps a cd, and do some listening.

You cannot almost listen either.