This week, the Smoke-Filled Room takes a break from the usual partisan politics to pay tribute to a remarkable musician who battled indefatigably for social causes close to her heart. Odetta, the singer who served as the voice of the civil rights movement, passed away on December 2, 2008 at age 77. Over the course of a remarkable 60-year career, Odetta transcended music, employing her full and powerful voice in the name of racial equality. She was a committed social activist who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and served as a tireless and effective advocate for equal rights. Her music and activism inspired many musicians—Bob Dylan cited her as the reason he took up folk singing in the first place—including Josh White, Jr., who has become a celebrated singer and activist in his own right. The Smoke-Filled Room spoke with White about his relationship with the great singer, her unforgettable voice, the gig she most hoped to play, and her proud legacy of political action.

Crawdaddy!: How did you come to know Odetta?

Josh White, Jr.: I started singing with my dad when I was about four. I worked with him for about 17 years before I went out on my own. Somewhere in late ’50s or early ’60s, I ran into Odetta with my old man. I remember she used to call him ‘Papa Josh.’ And since then, she was just a mainstay in my life. She was a presence in my life. She was always there. There weren’t a lot of black female folk singers back then. And her presence and her voice made her stand out.

Crawdaddy!: She really had such a unique voice.

White: Yeah, and the thing about her voice is that she used it so well. When she wanted to give you a powerful message, undeniably, you heard it. But then she could do a soft ballad like “All the Pretty Little Horses.” She gave to a song what it called for.

Crawdaddy!: Odetta is widely remembered as the voice of the civil rights movement. What do you recall most about her social and political activism?

White: She often mentioned how she had a lot of anger in her due to not having the civil liberties we should have had by the time she came along. She felt compelled and duty-bound to let that anger out and the best way to do it—because she always wanted to be a performer—was music. Making you think with music. So, she channeled that anger in a way, so we should not forget what happened. Doug [Yeager], her manager, was talking about how when she was in school, schools depicted slavery as, “Well, the slaves were having fun. See how they would sing and dance?” Her anger, like mine and my father’s, was how they tried to perpetuate crap about the black existence in this country. That would make you angry and so, what do you do? You sing about it. If you don’t talk about something, it’s like leaving it in the dark. It’s like roaches—turn the light on and they scatter. To scatter is to change beliefs. Because a lot of people, white people, didn’t understand. You need to make them understand so you can do something about it. Watch your attitude, be aware. And she did it so very well.

Crawdaddy!: In an era where political activism among musicians seems to be declining, what lessons should we take away from Odetta’s life?

White: I have been quite surprised that these last eight years of Bush’s presidency that there were not more people speaking about this person who never even got elected twice. But anyway, I think we need people like Odetta to remind us to keep that anger up and don’t be afraid to speak on it. To hell with socially acceptable situations. When you find it in your heart—and we all have it—to want the same for your fellow man, you have to do something. That’s what she did—she made people aware. You know, I was being interviewed for something in England and I was talking about when I was a teenager, and I just felt uncomfortable when I knew my dad was going down South to sing in places like Virginia or Valdosta, Georgia. And there were always at least two people together. But Odetta travelled in the late ’60s by herself in those places. By herself. That is extraordinary. It goes back to this: If not me, who? If not now, when? It goes back to that. When you’re angry and tired, it’s gotta be me. I’ve gotta add my voice.

Crawdaddy!: I’m told that Odetta remarked to some of her close friends that she was trying to hang on to life long enough to perform at President-elect Obama’s inauguration. What do you think his election meant to her?

White: Yes, she would have been perfect to be there. With all she had accomplished. Now remember, we’re talking about someone who sang songs that weren’t on the radio very much. But look at the recognition she’s gotten for what she had done earlier in her life. That shows we can make a difference. As for Obama, I’ll bet you nickel to dollar people my age and older didn’t really entertain it happening [the election of an African-American President] in our lifetime. We knew it would be sometime, it was going to happen eventually. But my hat goes off to my fellow Americans who elected the person who can do the job, not because of their color or religion. It’s just the person who can do the job. I’m proud of my fellow man for that and so was Odetta. It is time. She would have been perfect to sing at the inaugural.

Crawdaddy!: Are there any other memories of her that stick out in your mind?

White: She was this political activist entertainer. I’m sorry for those who never saw her because she had such a powerful presence. I’m tearing up now. This lady had the most wonderful laugh. She was a full-bodied singer, a full-bodied laugher. I will miss her laughter and I will miss her smile. I will always be indebted to her for speaking out with her music and changing minds and having people look within so they too can touch somebody else to remind them that we are one planet, one people.

Watch: Odetta at the Newport Folk Festival [at youtube.com]

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