Search - Odetta :: Odetta & The Blues

Excellent, soulful and powerful

03/22/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Powerful contralto voice laden w/emotion and backed by impeccable ensemble and solo work by such notables as Vic Dickenson and Herb Hall. Some passages bring tears to the eyes. Fidelity could be better--often hard to make out the words"

Ever wonder how Ma Rainey would sound with modern recording?

Sasha | at sea...sailing somewhere | 01/12/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Its very hard to found personalities who can continue tradition of blues queens of 1920's without failing:Dinah Washington,Koko Taylor and Etta James perhaps did honorable work,their passion matches famous pioneer women who sang at the beggining of century.Billie Holiday occasionaly surprised with clever incorporation of traditional blues in her material ("Long gone Blues").Even early rock star LaVern Baker recorded Bessie Smith tribute that was actually good.But who would expect folk singer Odetta to be another link between famous past and 1960's? Yes,Odetta obviously had a presence,strong voice and passion but she used them mostly for singing folk and spirituals,so this blues album was fabulous surprise - she sound very relaxed and authoritative,as she knows this songs inside out.And yes,she can match with legends like Bessie Smith,Ma Rainey and Ida Cox - her version of "Oh Papa" is simply stunning.Song listed as "Hogan Alley" is actually old Ma Rainey hit "Black Eyed Blues" ("you low-down alligator,I'll catch you soon or later...") and I didnt really like arrangements by D.Wellstood who in attempt to be contemporary somehow fastened up the tempo of legendary songs,so unfortunately Odetta sounds as she was running behind a band occasionaly.The only reason that I gave it 4 out of 5 stars is that "modern" arrangments ruined majestic 1920's "Nobody Knows You When You Are Down And Out",sad and poignant song that should be delievered as deep-feelt truth about life - in hands of this backing musicians it almost ended up as boogie woogie."

Is this Bessie Smith Or Odetta?

Philip Rosenthal | Hamden, CT | 03/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I heard a cut of the record on FM radio I was puzzled....was this Bessie Smith?...it had the snap and crackle of the great Bessie Smith....but it almost sounded like the unmistakable voice of Odetta. I called the radio station host who told me it was an old Odetta album. He was good enough to send me the whole album and it is one of my favorites. What a combination! The distinctive voice and soulfulness of Odetta in a spare blues setting with the great Vic Dickensen on trombone and Herb Hall I believe on piano. I'm glad the album is now available on CD. Many wonderful cuts. Some of my favorites: Yonder Come the Blues and Make Me a Pallett on Your Floor. People who like this album will also like the re-issue When Your Lover Has Gone by the less well-known singer Claire Austin. This album features trombone by Kid Ory. It is a classic as well."