Recorded in 1957, At the Gate of Horn is
Odetta's sophomore effort and the first showcase of her extraordinary ability to interpret the American folk song. Her debut,
Sings Ballads and Blues, wasn't a bad album, but it lacked the depth and fullness of the latter work. One notable difference, and a clue that
Odetta wouldn't always toe the company line when it came to folk tradition, is the presence of bass player
Bill Lee.
Lee's bass adds rhythm and another layer of depth to songs like "Take This Hammer" and "Chilly Winds."
Lee's bouncy bass also allows
Odetta to abandon more conventional guitar strumming for frills and fills that are complementary to her vocal style. "Sail Away Ladies," for instance, is highlighted by a propulsive guitar run (almost qualifying as a boogie), pushing the song forward and perfectly underpinning her vocal. Although the title -- At the Gate of Horn -- suggests that the album is live, it isn't. The idea was to offer a replication of her Gate of Horn show at the time. There are odds and ends that don't really work here. The arrangement of "Greensleeves" is clunky, with
Lee's bass bumping around as
Odetta gives the impression that she's auditioning for a classical recital. Overall, though, At the Gate of Horn still serves as an excellent introduction to one of America's finest folk interpreters. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.