Odetta Sings Dylan

Background

Odetta was a Civil rights activist. Although she grew up in the city, she described black folk music and spirituals as “liberation songs" and used this music to “do my teaching and preaching, my propagandizing.” Both Odetta and Bob Dylan sang at the 1963 Civil Rights March in Washington DC.

When this album was recorded, Bob Dylan was only just turning away from the protest singer phase, and had not yet released music done with electric instruments. His songs "Blowin' in the Wind" (which Odetta had recorded earlier) and "The Times They Are a-Changin’" were still anthems of the civil rights movement, and "With God on Our Side" and "Masters of War" longer, bitter anti-war songs.

Yet Odetta also made sure to include love songs, and other not obviously political tracks written by Bob Dylan, transformed by her powerful voice. In addition to a number of well-known Dylan compositions, a couple of fairly obscure songs were included, including "Baby, I'm in the Mood for You".

This album was re-released on CD in the UK by RCA/BMG in 2000. "Blowin' in the Wind" (which first appeared on Odetta Sings Folk Songs, 1963) and "Paths of Victory" (Odetta Sings of Many Things, 1964) were added as bonus tracks.

Reception

In his review for Allmusic, critic Richie Unterberger wrote of the album, "other than an obscure 1964 album by Linda Mason, it was the very first album of Dylan covers. And in part it was because, unlike most of the artists who would take a swing at the concept, Odetta was actually a major folk musician, one who had done much to inspire Dylan himself. But most of all, it was because the arrangements were excellent."

Track listing

1. "Baby, I'm in the Mood for You" – 2:50
2. "Long Ago, Far Away" – 2:50
3. "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" – 5:42
4. "Tomorrow Is a Long Time" – 6:20
5. "Masters of War" – 6:18
6. "Walkin' Down the Line" – 4:01
7. "The Times They Are A-Changin'" – 4:39
8. "With God on Our Side" – 5:13
9. "Long Time Gone" – 3:44
10. "Mr. Tambourine Man" – 10:44
11. "Blowin' in the Wind" – 4:11 [*]
12. "Paths of Victory" – 2:24 [*]

Personnel