The Midnight Special / Odetta

[rovernio]

DAMN

DAMN

DAM

i feel it in my spine

[net60man]

So strong, my first meeting, and love,

[net60man]

Her voice fills it all

[vikingbiff]

love this cover of ledbellys song, who a lot of bands have done thier versions just as good.

[hobieslug45]

Leadbelly spoiled all other interpretations of midnight special

[MyMoppet52]

I saw her on a PBS 'Blues Diva' special and was so impressed with her wonderful speaking voice. What a true lady. She mentioned that the Jumping Judy was the whip. She also gave a brief history of terms of the song. She looked older in the special than she does in this video. Thank you so much for your fantastic video! This makes a loving tribute to one of the best singers and activists that America has had. (We have many, but she is amongst them at the very top!) Thank you.

[LusiphurAMalache]

Oh my she is amazing, one of the few artists that can make ya feel the heart and soul of a song. That voice of hers just goes deep into ya.

Thank you for this wonderful woman!

[123must]

Beautiful !

Tkank you for postin the legendary Odetta

[johnsel2006]

never a loss to listen like a woman like this...........

[moorzeekable]

ogo go!!!

[net60man]

This voice takes it all.

[karinablacktie]

THIS is why I love youtube so much. to see and hear this legend is to witness an important part of our history. Odetta was a great influence on many musicians. Bob Dylan cites her as his greatest influence. Whether you like her version or someone else's version of this song doesn't matter. They're all different, and have something to give, but somehow, I believe this is what the traditional song was meant to sound like.

[doyoureallythinkso]

A belter even in her old age. What a voice.

[Lazairus]

leadbelly does brilliant take on this song. this is closer to ccr version of the song

[unencumberedfiddler]

@Lazairus It would probably be more accurate to say that CCR's version is closer to Odetta's than to Leadbelly's since both of these old timers were probably singing the song before any of CCR's members were born. (All are great!)

[Lazairus]

leadbelly does brilliant take on this song.

[OrcaTrail]

Excellent!

[PerlaPerle]

WOW !!! Bin selbst Pianist, aber das ...

[megchristianfan]

12-29-10 Remembering Odetta with love. Born 12-31-30 and passed 12-2-08. WE ARE STILL SHINING LIGHT ON YOU.

[soberbiaeinsolente]

CREEDENCE, ODETTA?, ODETTA, CREEDENCE? QUE VERSION ME GUSTA MAS?????

[palfab962]

double wow deep man

[stuartwross]

Wow

[bluenitepoet]

I was taught the blues by a homeless woman, while singing on the beach. She touched my stomach and my back, told me to think of the worst thing that happened to me and sing it. I could feel air flowing through my body and muscles contracting. I use a microphone, but don't really need it....

[heididauwalter]

When Odetta sang at the Hollywood Bowl in the 60's her voice was so powerful that she didn't even use a microphone and it filled the bowl.

[collette333]

JUST AWESOME...PURE HONEST MUSIC

[collette333]

JUST AWESOME...

[Featureman]

Great song. She knows how to sing it.

[SpeedyNeutrino43]

Check out the white guy "Throwin' down" behind her...LOL

[bloodandwinearered]

I had the tremendous honor of performing on the same performance with Odetta. The year was 1978, the "Year of the Child". Odetta set an example for me that I will always try to live up to as a professional. How very fortunate I was to have been with her, her gifts and her voice.

[marhomist]

Only One Word:GREAT PERFORMER!

[MrFigolido]

@marhomist there were two words!hahahahaha

[marhomist]

@MrFigolido I was always mathematical not strong in school MrFigolido!

[bduncombe]

God has created so many people, and each person have his or her own unique gift.

[johnb401]

This is a great version of this song. It makes me dance and the version of this song makes me feel real good! Thank you!

[fiofunk]

hell yeah

[ialreadyrock2]

midnight speicle by creedence clear water is much better

[forloxsake]

@ialreadyrock2 have u ever heard the original???

[kweltchek]

@forloxsake -- Do not understand what you mean by "original". This folk song was created over 100 years ago. Has been sung and recorded by hundreds of people. Which recording do you consider to be the original--Creedence Clearwater? Leadbelly? Fogarty? Chuck Berry?

[forloxsake]

@kweltchek well it dont really matter if u understand or not,,coz i wasnt talking to u,,my question was to ialreadyrock & its the Ledbelly for the Lomax Bros version I was talking about,,thanks anyway for the OLD news about when the song was written (1905) & who has recorded it..but I allready knew all that,,ur petty & kantakerous..havent u got anything better to do with ur time???

[M0nk3m4n]

@ialreadyrock2 It may work better for most, but this is the way it was intended to be sang.

[Uprocker2002]

OH LAWDY!

[fillette71200]

des années et des années à danser cette chanson et je découvre, aujourd'hui !,

la meilleure des versions ! Magnifique ODETTA !!!!

[Karkesch]

Geile stimme wau echt das bereitet mir gensehaut

[salamandradefogo]

very nice!!!

[kirinya31]

God bless u grandma, Aaaaaaaamen. may the midnight special shine on me too.

love from Norway.

[MegaShitler]

damn that pianist rocks !!

[ajgolfer1]

hes playing like a white person

[nognilk]

@ajgolfer1 and she's singing like a black person

[rubyrose456]

LOVE THIS!

[cicalone70]

INCREDIBLE....

[TheMuseDiva]

How beautiful. What soul she has!

[captainjackscurlock]

Sugarland unit opened in 1909, it has always been a minimum security prison. As a boy we would drive by and see all the inmates working the fields (Texas Prison System was, at that time, 100% self sufficient

All executions since 1849 have been held at the Walls unit, in Huntsville.

Texas has the largest prison system with the most prisoners in the World.

You could not see the midnight special's lights as the train traveled from Houston.

Bless all

Capt Jack (ship captain not military capt)

[milascave]

he has a right to be confused. She follows an old prison ballad with an old gospel song with no pause in between.

[themissalthea]

She brings it home better than Creedence, Sorry boys.

[Daithipiper]

In texas is a prison called Sugerland. It is located along the train tracks and every night a train passes by around midnight. The inmates believe that if the light from the engine shines on you as it passes by tthat you will be released the next morning. All the prisoners pray that the light shines on them. I think the prison is near Huston.

[coopm12]

Another legend is that in order to execute a man they always did it at midnihgt, and to complete the job they had to turn the prison's generator up a high as it would go to get enough electricty to complete the execution. This would in turn make all the lights in the prison go on brighter. So the midnight special was the execution, and the part about shine the light on me was referring to the lights in the prison going bright.

[TheCanadianIndian]

hey need drums.

[judge6754]

Unless J.C. is a train ,i think not.

[cloisterene]

Guy on the keyboards is superfly... :)

[vikingbiff]

let it shine on you odetta, that was amazing! "SMO'KIN"!

[kentuckyclassroom]

I can't remember when it was...3 or 4 years ago, but my wife and I were there in the Kentucky Theater, downtown Lexington and it was great.

[jokerit911]

She sings like a man

[firish51]

Is she singing about the light of the Gospel of Christ Jesus?

[judge6754]

@firish51 Are you crazy, or just joking.lol.

[M0nk3m4n]

@firish51 It's people like you that give religious people as a whole, a bad name.

[marhomist]

Super!

Great!

And Special!

[gunkagunka]

Holy crap

this is amazing

[alecyan2]

the voice of delta...

[irishsid13]

This woman can sang!!...I have always preferred CCR's version, but she can't be denied...amazing woman

[kidrock119]

john fogerty's version is much better

[Kaalec]

@kidrock119 You should understand the song before you make asinine comments like that.

[scumgod13]

Odetta has more soul than any musicians today put together!

[CHF2003e]

Great Singer

[yieldyieldyield]

RIP Odetta...when I first heard you sing Joshua Fit the Battle of Jerico many many years ago, I was hooked. You held up right through to the end, pleasuring us with your voice.

[enactogen001]

treasure indeed, greatly missd! thanks so much for the post!

[shadracklives]

What a treasure! Thanks for the vid.

[greysparrow68]

When I was in my early 20s (in the 60s) I bought every LP this fine lady recorded.

It was my pleasure to see her in concert in Adelaide in 1966.

She was so special.

This clip is a real treasure.

Thank you YouTube.

[LyricallyEmphatic]

WOW @_@ great voice !!!!

[borcer]

I just love those ol' timers!

*****

[loverboy5791]

God Bless You, Odetta, God Bless You

[Itsdefault]

You'll never see this amongst artists today...well not mainstream. This is a wonderfule voice. I could hear this all day.

[areecia]

God bless Miss Odetta

[fairgirl7]

how can you not tingle in your heart and soul when you listen to the great miss odetta.god are we lucky! god bless you miss odetta. teach those angels to sing now.....

[johnjstage]

wow what a voice!!!!! so clear and strong!!!

john

[fromthispoint]

This lady dont stress a song she makes it mind her.

[areecia]

I couldn't put it better....:)

[megafaded69]

@fromthispoint yessss

[metyuewb]

doesn't seem like she wants to be singing this

[Eprosis]

Beatific.

[NelsonFilippi]

who has the gift does not force .... interpretation raises the spirit! finding one for my collection.

[StephyD327]

She Has An Absolutely Amazing Voice!!!

[danegan1]

Beautiful.....

[catsnafu]

wow beautiful woman beautiful voice beautiful gift

[patitomeyer]

yup!

[ironyfree]

her and joan sutherland!

[LBanchio]

Qué mujer! Un ejemplo. :D

[jeanneadele]

a lonely childhood... odetta's recordings kept me company. beautiful talented lady, you will be missed... thank you for your music.

[9duryea9]

During the early 60s, District 5, Levittown, music teacher Larry Eiseman introduced Odetta to his students. 'Red Clay Country,' he said, was about the State of Georgia and those struggles for Afro-Americans to have their prope respect and rights. Mr. Eiseman introduced us, too, to The Weavers and Pete Seeger and Joan Baez and to folk music from around the world.

So, I thank Mr. Eiseman for introducing me to Ms. Odetta. I have loved her voice and messages ever since.

[9duryea9]

A postscript: 30 years or so later, Professor Andrew Tomisello in the Music Department at Baruch College, CUNY, involved a recorded perfomance by Odetta to underline a musical point for us students.

[bluesgirl62]

Je ladore...Fantastique!

[jantinucci]

"this little light of mine... i'm gonna let it SHINE!" - Peace

[124Wiseone]

Life is but a brief hello. Thank you for stopping by.

[levenho1]

"saw her at the 1960 carnegie hall concert produced by harold leventhal --- amen

[seigoe]

I will miss you so much...

[brasofilo]

linda, anjo!

! u shinne on us !

[younkint]

RIP Odetta.

[alonzogarbanzo]

Fare thee well, Santy Anno. Say hi to Leadbelly for us.  You are already much missed.

[hermanzoon]

Beautiful

[WordSpidee]

You'll be singing with the angels on Jan 20th, and we will hear your voice and smile. God bless you, precious One. Thank you for the gift you brought us for so long. See you on the other side.

[babyari0303]

Your light through music will forever shine... I'm hoping your spirit goes into another.

[daveunionsquare]

Rest in Peace and sing in heaven.

[swordfish52]

Good Bye Odetta , Jimmy ...

[laneatlileden]

first song and video of knowing.WOW! r.i.p. friend.

[sdvst8]

WOW is right. Absolutly mesmerizing.

[LameBuffalo]

May the midnight special shine it's ever-loving light on you.

Fly Odetta, fly.

[leegee23]

Wow.

[lGnossos]

Bye Odetta :(

[BestKacFan]

You have earned your reward Odetta. Bless You!

[catgumart]

A prayer for the great Odetta.

[zimmiesgirl]

Odetta will be remembered not only as one of the true pioneers of the early civil rights movement, but also as a great folk singer and a strong beautiful woman.

May She Rest in Peace.

[aingeal8]

You'll be missed, Ms. Odetta.

[romaniaforever]

She will be missed, deeply. Wish she'd made it to the Inauguration

[afandaeunit]

thank you Odetta. So sorry to have mother earth surround you. But the in the heavens you sing now.

[dulchenea]

I had the profound luxury of meeting Odetta last year. When we talked of racial tensions and societal mores, she told me "Well... if we solve ALL the world's probelms, there won't be any more need for folk music!"

rest well, sweet angel.

[jeepster4]

The end of an era. She was one of the great warriors of the civil rights movement. Although she didn't get to sing at the inauguration, she at least saw the election of our first Black president. May she rest in peace.

[floridajudy]

RIP to a great lady, and a fantastic singer.

She'll be missed.

[pupo169]

she is the best

i know that

[Fretkillr]

Odetta's singing gives me goosebumps. That Yamaha kb has a realistic piano sound and that's a fine accompanist too.

[SirCoughsalot]

Odetta, she's just so awesome.

[4wdthinking]

what a great version. Odetta sings somes wonderfully subtle vocal on this track.

Who`s the Keyboard player? He`s awesome.

[Rainbowmedic71]

This is great! does anyone have the other song she sang, Something inside so strong? I would love to see it posted, I have tried to find it for a long time now.

[porkinwitz]

she fuckin awesome. i wish someone would post her version of "god's gonna cut you down"

[acetremendous]

Amazing! Thanks for uploading it.

[CHF2003e]

She is one of the best singers we have ever had

[SedanChair]

I said "damn"

[BobCubTAC]

I saw her sing in 1994 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in a big dance production, of all things, but it was an amazing production called "Still/Here." Vernon Reid, formerly of the black rock band Living Colour, wrote some of the music and played his amazing guitar licks on the 2nd half of it. The show was produced by legendary dancer/producer/director Bill T. Jones and featured spoken monologues on huge, movable TV screen from those dying of terminal illnesses. Very powerful and she was GREAT!

[kokoro86]

Incredible...I love it! It's got loads of character, and she adds her on feel to it, while still honoring the Leadbelly rendition.

[jimboturner]

i think shes 78

[handsomedevilRo]

odetta is great, she's the only one who can do this lead belly song right.

[SOYH]

is odetta still alive?

[shelleyg79]

yeah, she actually spoke today in San Diego for a MLK event...

[SOYH]

thanks for telling me..,

i did have a chance to sing for her once in an audition...many years ago....

she must be over 80....

[bszwed]

Wrong. John Fogerty does it better

[kimrabb]

WHAT?

THAT IS A JOKE RIGHT?

[SirCoughsalot]

The only joke here is you, my friend.

[a1healer]

This lady is Class, Love and Soul. I saw her live back in the 70s in a small coffee house. @ weeks later everyone that worked there got a personal postcard from Odetta, thanking them for their consideration and treatment of her....now, thats Class!!!

[dafalooper]

Never mind the question, it looks like she's still alive and belting it out.

[dafalooper]

Is she living? I sure hope so, we haven't talked in about 30 years and I've been thinking of her this year. Does anyone have an agent link or something?

[stillpoint77]

Hi dafalooper. She was just on the public radio show "A Prairie Home Companion" last week. She sounds as great as ever. If you go to the show's web site, there's a sound clip of her singing.

[fferocious]

If you're ever wondering whether a recording artist and performer, such as Odetta, is still alive - go to Google or Wikipedia. You're certain to find the answer there.

[AuroraKismet]

that is Odetta,a living national treasure

[tmoose007]

Amazing voice...will bring down walls...beautiful.

[hugleberthumperdink]

power in the voice

[ViralKauai]

As usual, stuffed with soul!

[cmm06]

awesome ... gave me the chills ..

[mm9913]

Do a bit of research, google Odetta, she is a great freedom fighter, activist and treasured artist.

[TheAtocha]

Thank You

for the gift!

[MySerpentine]

For a little old lady she's got lung power!

[IrishDaragh]

I loved wen Odetta performed with the clancy brothers they were great!!! great singing !!!

[pdquick1]

They don't make 'em like that anymore.

[alicaurusrex]

What a Goddess!!

[ionnus1000]

This is absolutely brilliant. Thank you so much for posting it. It amazes me how many people will never have the opportunity to hear something as magical as this, because they never allow themselves to step out of the bubble gum pop scene.

[tallrob11]

well said!!!

[lukeydon]

odetta folk gospel and blues legend sining a good ole leadbelly song sing ittttttttt

[grahamcracker888]

an icon! amazing! gets me to the bone! great video.

[nightami]

when was this made?