Harry Belafonte
once wrote of
blues
singer
Odetta
: "Few possess the fine understanding of a song's meaning which transforms it from a melody into a dramatic experience."
Pete Seeger
heard this collection and declared, "I've been waiting for this album for 50 years!" In continuing her
tribute
to the classics,
turns her legendary vocal talents to the songs of
Huddie Ledbetter
, better known to
history as "
Leadbelly
." Like
herself,
was far more than just a
singer. His repertoire ranged from
children
's songs to
folk
ballads
,
protest songs
to
work songs
gospel
jazz
.
tackles a handful of his classics in her own distinctive style, with moods ranging from melancholy and emotional (the mandolin-enhanced, saloon-flavored
"Mother's Blues"
) to spirited and humorous (
"When I Was a Cowboy"
). Many of these songs have great historical significance, from the old
tune
"In the Pines"
(which features
Seth Farber
's stellar piano accompaniment) to the
Jim Crow
protest song
"Bourgeois Blues"
(given a lively, New Orleans-flavored treatment). Fans of
's music will also enjoy the liner notes, which go into detail about the origins of each song. ~ Jonathan Widran