THIS is why I love youtube so much. to see and hear this legend is to witness an important part of our history. Odetta was a great influence on many musicians. Bob Dylan cites her as his greatest influence. Whether you like her version or someone else's version of this song doesn't matter. They're all different, and have something to give, but somehow, I believe this is what the traditional song was meant to sound like.
When I was in my early 20s (in the 60s) I bought every LP this fine lady recorded. It was my pleasure to see her in concert in Adelaide in 1966. She was so special. This clip is a real treasure. Thank you CZcams.
I had the tremendous honor of performing on the same performance with Odetta. The year was 1978, the "Year of the Child". Odetta set an example for me that I will always try to live up to as a professional. How very fortunate I was to have been with her, her gifts and her voice.
I just stumbled onto this video and I'm in awe!!! Woooow, can that woman sing. She takes over the room....totally love it. Thanks so much for sharing....
I saw her on a PBS 'Blues Diva' special and was so impressed with her wonderful speaking voice. What a true lady. She mentioned that the Jumping Judy was the whip. She also gave a brief history of terms of the song. She looked older in the special than she does in this video. Thank you so much for your fantastic video! This makes a loving tribute to one of the best singers and activists that America has had. (We have many, but she is amongst them at the very top!) Thank you.
The end of an era. She was one of the great warriors of the civil rights movement. Although she didn't get to sing at the inauguration, she at least saw the election of our first Black president. May she rest in peace.
I gotta thank the great Jessye Norman for pointing me in this direction....This is my 10th time in a row listening.....I can't stop, her style is just so won't-let-you-go!!!
Oh my she is amazing, one of the few artists that can make ya feel the heart and soul of a song. That voice of hers just goes deep into ya. Thank you for this wonderful woman!
Just found this beautiful soul after watching a Janis Joplin doc and I am so moved. Buying her lps right NOW ! Will be a welcome edition to my collection
Studs Terkel's Saturday night show on WFMT in Chicago was named for this song. We spent many hours siting as c,lose to the speakers as we could get to listen..
There was a telethon/special after Hurricane Katrina that introduced me to Odetta...I think she might have sung Tomorrow Is a Long Time - not sure, but I viscerally remember that performance, and I don't think it's ANYWHERE on YT. If I'm imagining things, I don't mind being corrected; but if I'm remembering correctly, somebody (if you have it) please put it up! Just like this song - I KNOW I came to it listening to Jessye Norman, but now her version is nowhere! Anyway, Thanks, and Cheers!
Not take away anything away from Odetta, who is indeed spectacular, but IMO the guy on the piano is really awesome also. And pretty effortless in the process.
Another legend is that in order to execute a man they always did it at midnihgt, and to complete the job they had to turn the prison's generator up a high as it would go to get enough electricty to complete the execution. This would in turn make all the lights in the prison go on brighter. So the midnight special was the execution, and the part about shine the light on me was referring to the lights in the prison going bright.
Sugarland unit opened in 1909, it has always been a minimum security prison. As a boy we would drive by and see all the inmates working the fields (Texas Prison System was, at that time, 100% self sufficient All executions since 1849 have been held at the Walls unit, in Huntsville. Texas has the largest prison system with the most prisoners in the World. You could not see the midnight special's lights as the train traveled from Houston. Bless all Capt Jack (ship captain not military capt)
THIS is why I love youtube so much. to see and hear this legend is to witness an important part of our history. Odetta was a great influence on many musicians. Bob Dylan cites her as his greatest influence. Whether you like her version or someone else's version of this song doesn't matter. They're all different, and have something to give, but somehow, I believe this is what the traditional song was meant to sound like.
When I was in my early 20s (in the 60s) I bought every LP this fine lady recorded.
It was my pleasure to see her in concert in Adelaide in 1966.
She was so special.
This clip is a real treasure.
Thank you CZcams.
your ART will carry you to the heavens even when your instrument is old. One of a kind, Odetta.
a lonely childhood... odetta's recordings kept me company. beautiful talented lady, you will be missed... thank you for your music.
RIP to a great lady, and a fantastic singer.
She'll be missed.
She Has An Absolutely Amazing Voice!!!
May the midnight special shine it's ever-loving light on you.
Fly Odetta, fly.
I had the tremendous honor of performing on the same performance with Odetta. The year was 1978, the "Year of the Child". Odetta set an example for me that I will always try to live up to as a professional. How very fortunate I was to have been with her, her gifts and her voice.
The year of my girl child.
let it shine on you odetta, that was amazing! "SMO'KIN"!
I just stumbled onto this video and I'm in awe!!! Woooow, can that woman sing. She takes over the room....totally love it. Thanks so much for sharing....
I saw her on a PBS 'Blues Diva' special and was so impressed with her wonderful speaking voice. What a true lady. She mentioned that the Jumping Judy was the whip. She also gave a brief history of terms of the song. She looked older in the special than she does in this video. Thank you so much for your fantastic video! This makes a loving tribute to one of the best singers and activists that America has had. (We have many, but she is amongst them at the very top!) Thank you.
The end of an era. She was one of the great warriors of the civil rights movement. Although she didn't get to sing at the inauguration, she at least saw the election of our first Black president. May she rest in peace.
Amazing voice...will bring down walls...beautiful.
I gotta thank the great Jessye Norman for pointing me in this direction....This is my 10th time in a row listening.....I can't stop, her style is just so won't-let-you-go!!!
OMG this old lady's got a fantastic voice
You should have heard her in her prime. Voice as big as all outdoors!
Would love to hear her live
She's amazing
Love, love, love Odetta! Always did. Always will...
Only One Word:GREAT PERFORMER!
This is a great version of this song. It makes me dance and the version of this song makes me feel real good! Thank you!
Oh my she is amazing, one of the few artists that can make ya feel the heart and soul of a song. That voice of hers just goes deep into ya.
Thank you for this wonderful woman!
God has created so many people, and each person have his or her own unique gift.
JUST AWESOME...PURE HONEST MUSIC
Just found this beautiful soul after watching a Janis Joplin doc and I am so moved. Buying her lps right NOW ! Will be a welcome edition to my collection
She is one of the best singers we have ever had
Beautiful !
Tkank you for postin the legendary Odetta
"this little light of mine... i'm gonna let it SHINE!" - Peace
Odetta shines her "little light" way big. Thank you, Odetta, for shining your light on all of us. Deep feeling, deep soul, total voice power!
She will be missed, deeply. Wish she'd made it to the Inauguration
awesome ... gave me the chills ..
never a loss to listen like a woman like this...........
Incredible...I love it! It's got loads of character, and she adds her on feel to it, while still honoring the Leadbelly rendition.
Don´t worry about missing date, Carlybiter, this brilliant piece is out of time (zeitlos), thanxx for uploading, BJ
odetta folk gospel and blues legend sining a good ole leadbelly song sing ittttttttt
I can't remember when it was...3 or 4 years ago, but my wife and I were there in the Kentucky Theater, downtown Lexington and it was great.
Cosa dire..... La sua voce... Il suo sound dice tutto❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
wow beautiful woman beautiful voice beautiful gift
Super!
Great!
And Special!
God bless Miss Odetta
Great song. She knows how to sing it.
This woman can sang!!...I have always preferred CCR's version, but she can't be denied...amazing woman
This is brilliant my goodness brilliant is this real legendes.Love it thank you so much for uplaoding,.
Take time listen more than once, we world worth it
Her voice fills it all
Great Singer
Odetta has more soul than any musicians today put together!
This voice takes it all.
A prayer for the great Odetta.
Beautiful
No coments Worth this voice.
I would listen to this woman
Studs Terkel's Saturday night show on WFMT in Chicago was named for this song. We spent many hours siting as c,lose to the speakers as we could get to listen..
Sarah John In the 60s just after "The Great American Dream Machine" channel 11 would play about 8 minutes of Odetta, Cooler than cool!
treasure indeed, greatly missd! thanks so much for the post!
There was a telethon/special after Hurricane Katrina that introduced me to Odetta...I think she might have sung Tomorrow Is a Long Time - not sure, but I viscerally remember that performance, and I don't think it's ANYWHERE on YT. If I'm imagining things, I don't mind being corrected; but if I'm remembering correctly, somebody (if you have it) please put it up! Just like this song - I KNOW I came to it listening to Jessye Norman, but now her version is nowhere! Anyway, Thanks, and Cheers!
Odetta, she's just so awesome.
an icon! amazing! gets me to the bone! great video.
An amazing talent
Stunning.
Not take away anything away from Odetta, who is indeed spectacular, but IMO the guy on the piano is really awesome also. And pretty effortless in the process.
This is music love sorry rest world but pure love
Time again to listen.
I am just love her
INCREDIBLE....
So strong, my first meeting, and love,
WOW!! Nothing better!!
Brilliant
JUST AWESOME...
I love Odetta.
Time to listen again
Great. What a treasure.
So strong voice.
very nice!!!
Some much love to woman with voice just soo.
Voice worth worldmam
Stunning 💜
I love this
well said!!!
DAMN
DAMN
DAM
i feel it in my spine
Love it
A bluesy version... I like it. :)
Love again
love this cover of ledbellys song, who a lot of bands have done thier versions just as good.
Amazing!
@fromthispoint yessss
Damn! Thanks for sharing this
Love
Me just nobody but me love it
Holy crap
this is amazing
leadbelly does brilliant take on this song.
Another legend is that in order to execute a man they always did it at midnihgt, and to complete the job they had to turn the prison's generator up a high as it would go to get enough electricty to complete the execution. This would in turn make all the lights in the prison go on brighter. So the midnight special was the execution, and the part about shine the light on me was referring to the lights in the prison going bright.
leadbelly does brilliant take on this song. this is closer to ccr version of the song
hell yeah
Sugarland unit opened in 1909, it has always been a minimum security prison. As a boy we would drive by and see all the inmates working the fields (Texas Prison System was, at that time, 100% self sufficient
All executions since 1849 have been held at the Walls unit, in Huntsville.
Texas has the largest prison system with the most prisoners in the World.
You could not see the midnight special's lights as the train traveled from Houston.
Bless all
Capt Jack (ship captain not military capt)
Fare thee well, Santy Anno. Say hi to Leadbelly for us. You are already much missed.
Good Bye Odetta , Jimmy ...
I have been an Odetta fan for 50 years. This sucks.
Wow.
❤️
the voice of delta...
Love you
I couldn't put it better....:)
Beatific.