Judy Roderick: The Original

Since The Seldom Scene recorded a screamin’ hot bluegrass version of this song, based somewhat on The Grateful Dead’s version, I guess you could call Judy Roderick’s recording a pre-bluegrass, post-rock take on it.

I’ll let the uploader explain:

“Judy Roderick played this song before the Dead or Hot Tuna. She followed the original version of the song, found by the Lomaxes in 1934 from an 18 year old girl in prison for murder. It was called ‘Woman Blue’ or ‘Woman Blues’ and [it was] sung by women. This is from her 1965 album Woman Blue.”

Whatever you call it, it’s absolutely bone-chilling.