ODEA MATHEWS five long years for one man 1959

harrowing recording of one of the inmates of Angola state penitanciary, La. (sleeve notes) "sung while scrubbing clothes on washboard. At angola, there is a separate section for women called "the willows" wich houses about a hundred prisonners... This song is based on a very popular juke box hit of the 50's : "Five long years", recorded by Eddie Boyd, but changed to make it a woman song.... Issued by the legendary Arhoolie records company. definitely one of my most important records... if you ever want to find this here is the link to Arhoolie records who first issued it on vinyl, by chance they issued a CD version of this major work...such a great label ! http://www.arhoolie.com/blues/prison-...

Added 2 Apr 2026