Sherpa Music Vol 12. Women's Voices

I saw Odetta at Town Hall in the early ’60s and it shook me.

Before me was a legend, someone who a few months later would sing at the March On Washington. One woman, one voice, one acoustic guitar, pouring out her soul, with a mixture of bone-shaking courage and grace. 

In reverence to Women’s History Month, this immersion into the sound of women’s voices begins with Odetta and crisscrosses time and genres. These songs are filled with the sounds of love, life, suffering, and resilience. The mix pays homage to their diverse backgrounds, musical references, and incredible skill, holding a space for them amidst the clamor of male-dominated music.  

This music roars and weeps. It swirls around in time, it shudders, quakes, and speaks quietly. It takes us from chain gangs to infirmaries. From the bayou to the streets of Detroit and New York. From speakeasies to jazz clubs. It’s a story told through brave powerful voices. Some of it is scratched, weathered, aged and some of it is brand new and shiny. These voices propel and influence each other, as they have over time, and will continue to do on into the future. 

Dive in and take this brave, twisty journey with Etta, Aretha, Joni, Bonnie, Billie, Nina, Martha, Janis, and all.  Sing along with your friends and family.  Pass it on. 

With love, Jim