Customer Reviews

Odetta Sings Dylan

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the most stunning album of Dylan material I have ever heard. Odetta's operatic contralto voice handles these bluesy Dylan classics with more grace and grit than can be defined in this review. Even the packaging for this reissue lets the buyer know they have purchased something special. The CD comes in a glossy slip cover with original and new liner notes in the booklet. Bob Dylan himself must have been so pleased that Odetta would do an entire album of his songs, since she was such an influence on him. When Odetta sings, people listen.

Finally, this gem has been released on CD. Odetta, an absolute music legend, would sound magnificent singing anything, and it's an extra treat to hear her take on Dylan. One of the two best Dylan tribute albums ever (the other being Joan Baez' 1968 album, ANY DAY NOW). Odetta's particularly effective on "Baby, I'm in a Mood for You", a relatively obscure Dylan tune, but even on the more famous, oft-recorded compositions -- "Times They are a-Changin'", "Masters of War," etc. -- she manages to find a fresh way to interpret them. An absolute MUST for both Odetta and Dylan fans.

Wow... What an album! From the opening bars of the celebratory 'Baby I'm in the Mood for You' through all the tracks including her chilling reading of 'Masters of War, Odetta's interpretations of Dylan's songs are spellbinding. If you do not know this album give it a listen. If you are a Dylan or Odetta fan go out and get yourself a copy. A true classic, don't ignore it!

First of all you have to go back to the original Bob Dylan songs that Odetta has chosen to sing and remember when she did this record to appreciate the renditions of these songs. Odetta takes each one and adds her own unique style to capture her feelings in relation to the song. After 30 plus years of being a Bob Dylan fan, it was nice to hear someone else do his songs other that Joan B. or Judy C. although these gals do him jsutice too.
thank you Odetta. CA from Calif.

Those of you who know Bob Dylan's songs will appreciate this one. Some of these takes just grab you and don't let go till the end and then you'll need to hear them again. WOW! Bob's songs are trully adaptable and hearing them sung this way is a treat.

I have been listening to and occasionally attending concerts by the recently departed Odetta for over forty years and she, despite her various illnesses in her latter years, was still able to bring that big strong voice to her work as she did when I first heard her. A big strong strumming guitar added to the pleasure. Odetta was the consummate female interpreter of the old ballads that denoted the struggle of blacks and other at work and play in slavery times and later in wage slavery times. Religious sentiments about a better life in the hereafter because this life so is hell are also interwoven into some these ballads. It is hard today to get the full impact of that genre but I always noticed that audiences still responded to her gentle prodding to sing along.

There is an old expression-"What goes around, comes around". Nothing profound in that but it does point out that Odetta was very aware of her roots, of her debts to earlier folk singers and the influences of her then contemporary artists in the folk revival of the 1960's. On this CD she puts that fantastic contralto voice to work early on singing the songs of a man slated to be a folk legend in the field. There have been many stories since come to light about singers "stealing" material from each other during those 1960's times. There is no theft here. Odetta stands on her own with her interpretation of this material.

That said, Odetta does not try, like many an urban folkie of the 1960's and others to imitate, Dylan's, manner and mistakes a point that I made in another review in reference to her tribute to an early blues singer, Leadbelly, but hones here own renditions and gives them her own interpretation. That is the true way to honor one's fellow musicians. So what is good here? "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right", "Tomorrow Is Such A Long Time" and, of course, a powerful rendition of the anti-war anthem "Masters Of War". But really, this is one time when the entire album is good, a time when a legendary songwriter and a legendary singer meld together

If you are not already a Dylan (or an Odetta) fan, this is not the place the start. But if like me you can't resist a good Dylan cover, this album is a treat. I've had this album for years on vinyl and jumped at the chance to get it on CD. The real gems here are the obscure songs: "Baby, I'm in the mood for you", "Long ago, far away", and "Walking down the line". The better known tunes suffer in comparison with the oft-heard originals or covers by bigger stars. Odetta's voice is a marvel no matter what she is singing. The finger picked guitars and acoustic bass accompaniment provide a sparse, classic folk setting.

Odetta has the richest and warmest voice I've ever heard. This is a CD that should be a part of the listening library of every school. Young people should know the part she played in civil rights history in America. They also should be exposed to some Dylan classics.

An awesome album. Odetta's version of "Don't Think Twice" is one of the best Dylan covers I have ever heard.

In a time when Compilation and Tribute CDs wash through the stores, its very refreshing to have access to this early rendition of Dylan's songs by Odetta. Not the same usual ones dragged out time after time, but including some lesser known gems from the past.
The quality of sound is superb. The interpretation of the material (except for Tambourine Man) is easy and spiritual. The simplicity and strength of her presentation belies what a force she was in her time.
This is one of my favourite all-time "Dylan" CDs and I recommend it to anyone who likes Dylan music. It beats Dylan's Bootleg Series of these songs hands down.