Thank You Odetta

From DG: In a recent post, about what Miriam Makeba meant to me (Nov 13—Thank You Miriam Makeba) I mentioned that Odetta was another big influence from the early part of my life, but said it was a story for another day. Well, I am sad to say that day has arrived, not in the way I intended, and much sooner than I imagined.

This morning I heard of Odetta’s passing. Click here: Odetta, Voice of Civil Rights Movement, Dies at 77 - Obituary (Obit) - NYTimes.com

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/arts/music/03odetta.html?_r=1&hp

We had two of her records when I was little—Odetta Sings the Ballad for Americans, and Odetta and Larry. I was drawn to the earthy rumble of her voice, often accompanied by simple acoustic guitar. I still know all the words to Great Historical Bum, and even now, with the help of bathroom shower acoustics, I find myself trying to sound like her singing Santy Ana—I don’t, but I feel where she was coming from. I’d have Mom play those records over and over, and I’d listen, and look at her on the album cover with her guitar, and her short cropped hair. This was 1960—we didn’t even have the word Afro yet, but looking at the photos now I realize how far ahead of us she was in many ways. We all need those people who blaze the trail, show us what’s possible, encourage us not to be afraid.

I have been fortunate enough to meet many celebrated people in my life, including President-elect Obama. I had no trouble speaking with him, but when I met Odetta at Crossroads Theater in 1998 (she had written original music for a Leslie Lee play called Spirit North), I could hardly put a sentence together, and as she signed her CD for me I was working hard not to cry. But I was really happy to have met her.

It feels like a whole era is coming to a close, but I guess that’s how the world goes ‘round. I am grateful to have been nourished by it. It made me wonder who are the people whose music moves people forward now? Tracey Chapman? Bono? India.Aire? Telib Kweli? Who makes you feel, think, imagine and grow while you listen?

Thank You Miriam Makeba

From DG:
If a four year old can be said to have had her consciousness raised, then Miriam Makeba raised mine (along with Odetta, but that’s a story for another day). I loved listening to her sing with that voice like a siren, but it wasn’t alarming. It drew me in. Even though I didn’t understand the language, I got the feeling. I tried to make the Xhosa tongue clicks to accompany her on Qongqothwane, The Click Song. That’s a long way from Mary Had a Little Lamb, but who said music that appeals to children has to be childish. I loved Suliram. It’s a lullaby—actually Indonesian, it means ‘go to sleep—and when she sang I’d climb into the arm chair, curl up and close my eyes to listen, not because I was tired, but because she was so soothing.

And I loved to look at her. I loved her long, flowing clothes in brilliant colors. Now, this was seriously the days of the press-n-curl—no woman I had ever seen (other than Odetta) had short natural hair that let her beautiful face radiate. At the time it was unusual to me, but not odd or strange. Later, I was the first girl in my class to cut my hair into an Afro, and I was proud!

I had the pleasure of seeing Miriam Makeba several times in my life. The first was a free concert in Mt Morris Park (before it was renamed Marcus Garvey Park) in Harlem on a sweltering summer day. We got there hours before the concert was to start to claim a spot (and if memory serves me correctly, it started late, but the party didn’t wait).There were dashikis and dancing, barbecue and b-y-o congas. I’m sure you could hear Pata Pata down in Central Park.

It’s called ‘World Music’ now, but I thank Ms Makeba for bringing the world of music to a little girl in Brooklyn.

Here’s a sample, with those Xhosa clicks.

Click here: YouTube - Miriam Makeba - Oxgam {Studio Version}

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1YKOk9QA8U