Odetta died this week of a heart attack at the age of 77. She took her inspiration from blues, jazz and folk music and made a sound of her own.
Her first first solo album was called "Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues" and Bob Dylan told Playboy magazine in 1978. "The first thing that turned me on to folk singing was Odetta."
Wow. Now that's influence.
According to AP, Odetta Holmes, born in Birmingham, Alabama, on Dec. 31, 1930, told the Times in a 2007 interview that the music of the Great Depression, particularly the prison songs and work songs from the fields of the deep South, helped shape her musical life.
+ BV Community: Odetta Dies
Listen to Odetta sing 'Hit Or Miss' or watch more videos at Afrobella
Comments: (34)
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By: kimmi on 12/03/2008 4:54PM
First Miriam Makeba and now her. What a sad time. Rest in peace dear sisters.
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By: Pamela on 12/03/2008 8:15PM
My thoughts and prayers are with her family. Jazz is one of the greatest types of music. It will be a great loss to know that she is gone. May she look down with the angels on us all.
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By: sarah on 12/03/2008 8:22PM
Thanks, odetta, for all the inspiration to young folk fans like me. you are missed
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By: Bong Bunghole on 12/03/2008 8:32PM
If she is an "icon", then my cat is "King of the Jungle". Odetta was a niche personality, at best. She was only known by a cultish few. Her pipes were okay and that's it.
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By: Deb on 12/03/2008 9:09PM
We have lost two great women, both whom were angels on this earth. I am sure they are angels in heaven. You will be missed.
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By: Marcus on 12/03/2008 9:13PM
Never heard of her. But rest in peace Odessa.
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By: Byron on 12/03/2008 9:55PM
I saw Odetta perform when I was 13 y.o. at a community
college near my home. Her music that night has stayed
with me for over 40 years. I wish I could have appreciated her then as much as I do now. She had
a significant impact on my life and principles, and
it only took a few hours listening to her that night.
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By: joe melito on 12/04/2008 12:00AM
another dead jig, who cares? not me!
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By: Zeckery on 12/03/2008 10:50PM
I CANNOT BELIEVE the death of this music icon and legend is receiving so little coverage considering the garbage they headline over and over instead. How sad.
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By: goldtwist on 12/03/2008 11:26PM
hey joe someday it be u........
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