The Passing of a Folk Icon

I cannot say that I was a big fan or knew much of her music, but I recall the first time I came across a performance of Odetta. It was singularly striking. She was a very important folk singer in the 50s and 60s, influencing such later icons as Dylan, Joplin and Springsteen. The New York Times published nice tributes in both print and video (login probably required). This YouTube clip is the exact performance that first struck me, I think from Scorcese's documentary on Bob Dylan, No Direction Home. More clips may be found on the tribute at the Daily Kos in the almost 400 comments. (Sheesh, why doesn't my blog get that many hits?)

Odetta - Water Boy