Description
Odetta – Odetta And The Blues – 180 Gram Vinyl Record
Vinyl Me Please
VMP Classics Record of the Month April 2023
(AAA) Lacquers Cut From the Original Master Tapes by Ryan Smith, Sterling Sound
Pressed on 180g Black Vinyl
Exclusive Listening Notes Booklet by Susannah Young
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Released in 1962, Odetta’s Odetta and the Blues is a powerful exploration of traditional blues, showcasing the iconic singer’s deep connection to African American musical heritage. Known primarily for her role as a leading voice in the American folk revival of the 1950s and 1960s, Odetta expands her repertoire on this album by delving into the rich history of the blues. With her commanding, soulful voice, Odetta offers a fresh yet authentic take on blues standards, backed by a swinging jazz band that brings a touch of urban sophistication to these traditional songs.
While Odetta is often celebrated for her contributions to the folk music scene, Odetta and the Blues highlights her versatility as an artist, revealing her ability to traverse genres with ease. Her deep, resonant voice, combined with her emotive delivery, gives these blues songs a raw, powerful energy that bridges the gap between folk, jazz, and blues.
By the time Odetta and the Blues was released, Odetta was already a prominent figure in the folk revival, with albums like Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues (1956) and My Eyes Have Seen (1959) solidifying her reputation as a voice for social justice and traditional American music. However, Odetta’s musical influences went far beyond folk, and she was deeply inspired by the blues—particularly the early blues singers like Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey.
Odetta and the Blues allowed her to explore this aspect of her musical identity more fully, focusing on songs from the classic blues tradition. The album’s production also gave Odetta the opportunity to work with a jazz ensemble, marking a departure from the more stripped-down, acoustic arrangements of her folk recordings. This shift in sound added a new dimension to her music, showing that her voice could not only convey the stark intensity of folk songs but also handle the deep grooves and expressive range required by the blues.
Odetta and the Blues is distinguished by its fusion of traditional blues vocals with jazz instrumentation. The album features Odetta’s powerful, gospel-inflected voice backed by a small jazz ensemble, including standout performances from Buck Clayton (trumpet), Vic Dickenson (trombone), and Herb Lovelle (drums). The instrumentalists provide a sophisticated yet unobtrusive backdrop for Odetta’s vocals, with arrangements that balance the rough-hewn emotion of the blues with the smooth, polished sound of jazz.
The combination of jazz musicians and Odetta’s bluesy vocal style gives the album a distinctive sound that sets it apart from more traditional blues recordings. The horn arrangements on tracks like ‘Oh, My Babe’ and ‘Trouble in Mind’ add a sense of swing and urban cool, while the upright bass and drums provide a solid, driving rhythm that keeps the energy flowing throughout the album.
Odetta’s voice is the undeniable centerpiece of the album. Her delivery is forceful and impassioned, with a raw emotional depth that brings these songs to life. She demonstrates an impressive range, moving effortlessly between mournful laments and more upbeat, defiant tracks. Whether she’s singing softly or belting out a line, Odetta’s voice always carries a sense of gravitas and authenticity.
The album’s tracklist is a selection of classic blues songs, many of which were made famous by early blues pioneers like Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey. Odetta’s interpretations of these songs are respectful of their origins, yet she injects her own unique style into each performance, breathing new life into these timeless tunes.
Lyrically, Odetta and the Blues covers many of the classic themes of the blues genre: heartache, loss, resilience, and the struggles of everyday life. These songs reflect the deep emotional and social significance of the blues in African American culture, often addressing issues of personal hardship and survival with a mix of sorrow and defiance.
As with much of the blues tradition, love and heartbreak are central themes on this album. Songs like ‘Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor’ and ‘Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out’ tell stories of love lost and the loneliness that follows. Odetta’s expressive voice conveys the deep pain and longing embedded in these lyrics, while the jazz arrangements add a layer of sophistication to the heartache.
The blues is also about resilience in the face of hardship, and this theme comes through in songs like ‘Trouble in Mind’ and ‘Yonder Comes the Blues.’ Odetta’s powerful vocal delivery captures the defiance and strength that are often present in the blues, offering a message of endurance even in the darkest times.
Odetta’s decision to focus on traditional blues songs connects her to a long line of African American musicians who used the blues as a means of expressing personal and collective struggles. By covering songs associated with Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey, Odetta honors the legacy of these pioneering women while also asserting her place within this tradition.
Notable Tracks
‘Trouble in Mind’: This classic blues song, which has been covered by countless artists, is given a bold, defiant interpretation by Odetta. Her deep, resonant voice conveys both the weariness of facing adversity and the determination to overcome it. The jazzy instrumental backing adds a sense of momentum to the track, making it one of the standout performances on the album.
‘Oh, My Babe’: Featuring a lively, upbeat arrangement, this track showcases Odetta’s ability to convey joy and energy within the blues framework. The call-and-response dynamic between her vocals and the jazz band adds an infectious sense of rhythm, making this one of the album’s more playful moments.
‘Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out’: One of the most iconic blues songs, this track tells the story of wealth, loss, and the fickleness of fortune. Odetta’s rendition is both soulful and sorrowful, with her voice capturing the sense of disillusionment at the heart of the song. The sparse piano accompaniment underscores the melancholy mood, allowing Odetta’s vocals to take center stage.
‘Yonder Comes the Blues’: A slower, more reflective track, ‘Yonder Comes the Blues’ showcases Odetta’s vocal control and emotional depth. The song’s simple, repetitive structure allows her to stretch out each note, imbuing the lyrics with a sense of inevitability and emotional weight.
‘Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor’: A traditional blues song with folk roots, this track highlights Odetta’s ability to blend genres. The song’s laid-back, swinging rhythm and warm instrumentation give it a relaxed feel, while Odetta’s voice brings a touch of longing and vulnerability to the performance.
Odetta and the Blues was praised for its bold fusion of jazz and blues, as well as for Odetta’s powerful vocal performances. Critics noted that the album demonstrated Odetta’s versatility as an artist, capable of moving seamlessly between different musical styles while staying true to the emotional core of each song. While Odetta was primarily known for her contributions to the folk revival, this album showcased her deep connection to the blues and her ability to interpret the genre in a way that was both authentic and innovative.
The album’s influence extended beyond the blues genre, helping to bridge the gap between folk, blues, and jazz for a new generation of listeners. Odetta’s performance on Odetta and the Blues further solidified her reputation as a pioneering artist, and her contributions to the American musical landscape continue to be celebrated today.
Odetta and the Blues is a testament to Odetta’s immense talent and her ability to bring new life to the rich tradition of the blues. Her powerful voice, combined with the sophisticated jazz arrangements, creates an album that is both deeply emotional and musically compelling. For fans of blues, jazz, or traditional American music, this album is an essential listen, offering a unique and captivating take on some of the most iconic songs in the blues canon.
Odetta’s ability to convey heartache, resilience, and joy through her voice makes Odetta and the Blues a timeless album that continues to resonate with listeners decades after its release. It stands as a powerful tribute to the enduring legacy of the blues and Odetta’s remarkable contribution to American music.
Track Listing
Hard, Oh Lord
Believe I’ll Go
Oh, Papa
How Long Blues
Hogan’s Alley
Leavin’ This Mornin’
Oh, My Babe
Yonder Come The Blues
Make Me A Pallet On The Floor
Weeping Willow Blues
Go Down Sunshine
Nobody Knows When You’re Down And Out
