On Thursday I went to a free Odetta tribute at Princeton. It was truly an amazing show that featured not only music, but readings by poets and professors. It was a moving tribute to an amazing woman. There were many moments during the show where I thought "This is the best live music I've seen in a long time". One of those was when Guy Davis led the audience in a sing-a-long of "This Little Light of Mine" (I am such a sucker for a sing-a-long). And Lizz Wright sang an a capella version of Amazing Grace with Toshi and Bernice Reagon quietly harmonizing from the audience, which was so strong and beautiful and clear it brought tears to many people's eyes. Guy Davis also did an excellent job of singing a song and telling a story about his last visit with Odetta in the hospital the day before she died. The evening ended with Toshi and Bernice Reagon doing a short but powerful set of songs including an amazing version of House of the Rising Sun and another sing-a-long spiritual. In between performances the audience was treated to footage of Odetta interviews and performances.
This concert had been in the works for quite a few months and the original plan was to honor her as a living legend and to have her be present at the event. When she passed away in December, they decided to continue with the plans and make it a tribute concert. Many of the speakers and performers looked up to the rafters or to a large projected photograph of Odetta to express their thanks, invoke her spirit and remind us all that she was with us that night in so many ways.
No comments:
Post a Comment