Odetta performs "Go Tell It On The Mountain" (German Public TV, 1989)

“She just burst out and sounded exactly like Odetta. That showed us up. We used to sing folk songs on our way driving anywhere. Well, after that, we still did, but it wasn’t the same. We weren’t all in the same class anymore.” -Dave Moriaty, a childhood friend of Janis. This week of Black History Month, we commemorate “The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement,” Odetta. Janis admired Odetta since childhood. She grew up listening to Odetta, and when Janis started singing, Odetta was the first person

“She just burst out and sounded exactly like Odetta. That showed us up. We used to sing folk songs on our way driving anywhere. Well, after that, we still did, but it wasn’t the same. We weren’t all in the same class anymore.” -Dave Moriaty, a childhood friend of Janis. This week, in honor of Black History Month, we celebrate Odetta, known as “The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement.” Janis Joplin had admired Odetta since childhood, growing up listening to her powerful voice. When Janis began sin