I’ve just heard on the radio that the great folk-singer Odetta has been hospitalised for kidney failure (link). She is ‘determined to perform at Barack Obama’s Inauguration in January’. She’ll turn 78 on New Year’s Eve.
The Tin Angel, which is on my iPod, was recorded between 1953 and 1954. For whatever reason, The Car-Car Song pops into my head from time to time; and I Was Born About 10,000 Years Ago/The Biggest Thing does too. And The Frozen Logger. The album consists of old standard folk tunes and spirituals, so it’s a bit different from later works by the likes of Peter, Paul & Mary, for example.
Odetta has a powerful voice, and you can really hear her getting into thos old spirituals. It will be sad to see her go. I hope she does live to perform at Obama’s inaugration.
Considering her involvement in the Civil Rights movement, performing at the Inaguration is only fitting and fair. If she doesn’t make it, she’ll have been robbed.
I saw her perform live here in town earlier this year. She’s a tiny shrunken little lady who was in a wheelchair the whole show with a beautiful spirit and a powerful voice.
I’d heard that she’s been performing from a wheelchair, but I haven’t seen any photos. I always picture her as being rather robust, as in the photos from 50 years ago.
I heard this on NPR this morning on the drive in. Damn, I wish she could have helpd out just another month and a half. She deserved to sing the Innaguration.
