First, I cannot understand why nine people do not like this. Second, when I think of all the talent that remained unknown due to color, sex, and religion, it makes me lay my head on my desk and sigh.
This legend created the "Cotten picking" style of playing guitar and banjo, upside down/left handed; was self taught and influenced a whole generation of musicians.
I've heard this song a million times and only now do I see the originator performing it. What a beautiful and haunting melody. Ms. Cotten, thanks and respect from this foolish guy who doesn't play, but knows good music when he hears it.
Thank gawd someone had the foresight to record this historical piece and most fantastic folk guitarist. It surely brought tears to my eyes. Thanks ever so much for posting.
Jeremy Horne I just posted a comment stating that it brought tears to my eyes. I scrolled down to see that I wasn't the only one. Definitely thank God for Elizabeth and thank God for the person that recorded and held onto to such a beautiful and historical pieces, as you said.
After my husband died I had a dream on the night of my birthday- I was born at 4 am so about that time. I had a dream I was walking into a beautiful little theater with red Velvet seats and bathed in golden light. I was the only person and I sat in the 10 row in the middle. And then ai head the steps on the old wood floor and my husband walked out with his acoustic guitar and steps in the middle of the stage and played this most beautiful song over and over and over. Wished me happy birthday, told me he loved me and walked off stage and I woke up. I love this song. It made me cry, too. I love Ms Cotton. A real hero of mine and my husband really played like her. Learned a lot from her.
As a former busker, I am forever grateful for Elizabeth Cotten and her " Freight Train".it was and still is to this day, one of my very favorite pieces to play. Hats off to a great lady !!
Can you imagine your grandmother picking up a banjo or a guitar or any instrument at all and playing original songs with such power and soul as Elizabeth Cotten does in this video? Only thing my grandmother did with this kind of intensity was make gravy and sugar toast.
Until lately I only knew Freight Train as an instrumental tune, mainy from Chet Atkins... But this story literally breaks my Heart and what a beautiful tune she wrote, her guitar playing is amazing and the lyrics touching. I truely Hope she will still hear number nine passing by.
Saw her perform live at McCabes in Santa Monica. It was her 90th B-day and Mayor Tom Bradley had declared "Elizabeth Cotten Day" in Los Angeles. She wasn't an entirely unknown figure for as Pete Seeger once claimed "Good music will get around regardless of radio airplay or changing tastes. It's hard to believe that I saw a beautiful lady whose grandfather was born a slave. She was an American icon and I'll always remember seeing her live. I don't have a musical bone in my body as I was born entirely deficient of the music DNA (and believe me I've tried) but I know great music when I hear it and Libby Cotten played great music and is still playing for the Lord.
Absolutely astounding! 90 years old and still rife with meaning. Elizabeth is remarkable every time. Expressive and unrestrained by the oppressive ways of her time and the others that mandated such a sad state of affairs, yet her, resilient, and seeking solace in the diversions of her inner thoughts. A guitar virtuoso, an epic, a spirit of the highest ascensions.
it just makes me cry listening to this wise old beauty, in her wisdom and fruitful life...its that ol livin country voice that i just love, God bless her soul.
I've heard some very intricate versions including Chet Atkins' but when Elizabeth Cotton plays it the story unfolds...the song comes alive inspite of her age . To me, hers was a true gift from God. You can feel the humility, love, sincerity that hits you right in the heart. If it doesn't then maybe you don't have one.
I've been hearin' this song my whole life. I've known of Elizabeth Cotten and seen many videos on here on RUclips. However, this particular video and performance brought tears to my eyes. If I remember just a few videos/performances, this will always be one of 'em.
This brought a smile to my face when she was talking about how hard she worked for a guitar. She has a lot to teach us all about hard work and perseverance.
The moment at the very end where she closes her eyes and just channels the guitar playing is a moment of true beauty. "Freight Train" it is a true gem! I sincerely hope she can still hear old number nine!
I remember back sometime in the early 70s, I saw Elizabeth Cotten on a TV show and she played Freight Train. She seemed so old and frail and her voice was a little reedy, but she played that song for all it was worth. It made a heck of an impression on me and I never forgot it.
we are fortunate that these precious moments were captured by someone that had the foresight to preserve musical history. talented beautiful soul that is in heaven I'm sure!
What an inspiring lady. I have struggled to learn to play guitar all my life without much success, and watching this today motivates me to keep trying to master the instrument!!
The interviewer is Scotland’s finest fiddle player, Ali Bain. Catch him ,with many American guests....iris dement, Alison krauss ,on Transatlantic sessions with Ali and Gerry douglas
Hi from New Zealand, The amazing thing about this women and the way she played the guitar and banjo. Is that she was left handed, but both the guitar and banjo are strung right handed. So she virtually, just played a right hand guitar and banjo upside down. That is very hard to do. I'm left handed, but I string the guitar with bass E string from top to treble E string to bottom. Jimmy Hendrix's did the same too. I have two friends who play right handed guitars upside down. NOT EASY! Moreover, I often wonder if she ever was paid the rewards, her song deserved. Her contribution folk music will never be forgotten. Excellent video clip. Elizabeth R.I.P.
Wow man .... I see and Hear My grandmother, my great aunts, my great grandmothers and every ancestral woman in my family. She sounds and talks just like them and has the same personality and sassiness about her..... She's so many people and she is also herself.
Fantastic - Thanks for the posting - She even bend the bass note - rich and detailed played and at the age of 90 - Simple just fantastic post and interview.
Her fingers are moving so fast with such ease 🤯. She gives me so much to look forward to. I’m a new learner in my early 30s and I now know that I will have the power to play until the end of time. ❤
I love her she’s super cool man can u imagine her life hard parts and good parts wat a resilient lady just super wereever she is she definitely playing a geetar 😀😀cheers from Ireland 🇮🇪🎸🎸🎸🎸I love playing this tune 😍😍😍😍
A great lady, thankfully rediscovered before she died in 1987 and beautifully captured on this video at the age of 90. Freight Train is my all-time favorite song for the guitar.
Thankfully Someone Saved the Elizabeth Cotten Video ! I first heard about her back in the 1950s. Now in 2023 , at 80, I'm relearning the song "Freight Train" and how to finger pick a Gretsch G5022CWFE A/E. Guitars have changed over the past 100 years; However, her song "Freight Train" keeps on going. Thank You Elizabeth Cotten !!
I never met Elizabeth but I knew she worked for years for the Seeger family in Virginia. She was loved by the family.When she died, I went to Beacon NY to talk with Pete for CBS News. I had Pete come down to a RR track by the Hudson River and play the song, and talk about Elizabeth. Lovely piece, it aired on Dan Rather and CBS Evening News.
‘Freight Train’ she plays here so beautiful with her beloved guitar Thanks so much Elizabeth🌺❤️🌹🌞🎶👌 RIP 🌹LYRICS: A version!! Freight train, freight train goin' so fast Freight train, freight train goin' so fast I don't know what train I'm on Won't you tell me where I'm goin'? When I die bury me deep Down at the end of old Chestnut street Tell all the people that I've done gone And where I've gone I just don't know Freight train, freight train goin' so fast Freight train, freight train goin' so fast I don't know what train I'm on So won't you tell me where I'm goin'?
Looking down the barrel of 100 years old, has forgotten more about finger picking than most will ever know and has a fire in her eyes that could melt steel. Talent and just plain good people like this will never happen again, at least in the foreseeable future. Sad times we are stuck in lately, very goddamned sad.
has anyone noticed she is playing the guitar,upside down and lefthanded?she obviously was self taught and comfortable with the way the music sounded.what a tune!
Elizabeth Cotton. Great to see and hear you again. A classic song, really inspiring. Wish I could be with you today .Dave Hunter, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Inspired me to learn fingerpicking all those years ago. Then l discovered Mississippi John Hurt, Gary Davis , and all those wonderful players . Priceless.
@terser This is something you would only find on RUclips, or if you were lucky enough in some library or watching public TV late enough. Thanks so much for the post.
Beautiful music and an amazing woman! I remember being absolutely floored when I first heard her. "Freight Train" was the first fingerpicking song I ever learned, and Stefan Grossman's videotape was an incredeible help.
I love this lady, she is so much better than me and more important than me and she has done so much more with music than I could. I got it in the 1950;s from Nancy Whisky, not sure I would have got how awesome this version was at the time. This is rarefied air if you get it. love Spud
I found her through Brianna Lea Pruett who covered this song on Labor Day 2009 Dolores Park San Francisco. Brianna has lead me to so much music and I treasure her for that. Just to bring this music out was wonderful of her though she is gone at 32 years old. Elizabeth Cotton was a treasure of the 20th Century in music and to watch her play this I cannot put into words. She was in her 90's and wonderful.
This brought tears to my eyes. Thanks so much for posting it. I was so blown away that it took me until about the final ten seconds to realize that she is a lefty playing a right handed guitar upside down.
I imagine trying to transpose from left hand chords everyone else was playing to the upside down right hand chords was a tough row to hoe for young Ms Cotton... I have aspired to pick like her.. I have a little trouble getting back the other way... sure enough
wow...she wrote freight train when she was 11. i find it amazin that she stopped playin for so many yrs that when she started again its as if she never stopped. god bless her soul. she wont b 4gotten.
I love her so much, I am a lefty and I feel very connected with Miss Cotten! She is legendary! Thanks RUclips, without RUclips I never found out about her. :)
Most remarkable is that she's playing a right handed guitar left handed; just upside down, but without changing the strings around. I wonder if Jimi Hendrix could play Freight Train this way; actually I doubt it.
Thank you for posting this video. More people can now see and hear this wonderfully talented woman. Her story is very heartwarming. Guitar players: notice the hammer ons & pull offs, note bend (2nd string 3rd fret), excellent finger picking style, all her own. Laying the ground work for many guitar players years later.
When I first learned to play some 50 years ago, I already knew the style I wanted to learn; that Atkins/Travis/Cotton style. And the first song was Freight train.
W hen I was a child I would sing this song over and over. It was one of my favorites. Later on in life I became an aide doing home care. I went to the house as a sub and helped her daughter go to her visit with her doctors. When I was waiting for daughter I met Libba. I was more than happy. She was so sweet and kind. I was very pleased. I never told her I sang her songs when I was younger. Now sorry I didn't. This was in 1985. Nancy Lupo
![Elizabeth Cotton - live [Colourised] 1965](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/q-OJsy3Z6r8/mqdefault.jpg)
![Elizabeth Cotton - live [Colourised] 1965](/img/tr.png)
![Lil Uzi Vert - Chill Bae [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/D7F42F_JM3U/mqdefault.jpg)
Ms. Cotton: "Ya'll know about that?"
The Interviewer: "Yes."
Ms. Cotton: "No you don't. You've heard about it." Great stuff.
Classic!
its so sad that we dont spend more time listening to interesting elderly people who can educate us and help us to make life easier for all
First, I cannot understand why nine people do not like this. Second, when I think of all the talent that remained unknown due to color, sex, and religion, it makes me lay my head on my desk and sigh.
Steve Gad
At least some of us are aware. :)
+gwendolyn2001 maybe 9 people dont like hearing a banjo?
Mr Ruxledge
Then why did they listen?
masochists?
Mr Ruxledge
That might explain it!
This legend created the "Cotten picking" style of playing guitar and banjo, upside down/left handed; was self taught and influenced a whole generation of musicians.
Like if im not the only one Crying while watching her sweet tone playing :(
Johan Ottosson
...big man blubbering here. Such a touch.
3:34 am and crying while listening to her. It hits me good...
Respect. This is one of the most honest things you'll ever feel.
she says "you know about them? no, you don't know, you heard but you don't know." Amazing, she makes me feel great
I've heard this song a million times and only now do I see the originator performing it. What a beautiful and haunting melody. Ms. Cotten, thanks and respect from this foolish guy who doesn't play, but knows good music when he hears it.
Thank gawd someone had the foresight to record this historical piece and most fantastic folk guitarist. It surely brought tears to my eyes. Thanks ever so much for posting.
Jeremy Horne I just posted a comment stating that it brought tears to my eyes. I scrolled down to see that I wasn't the only one. Definitely thank God for Elizabeth and thank God for the person that recorded and held onto to such a beautiful and historical pieces, as you said.
***** ... to say nothing of the deep symbolism involved. ... and those photos....
Yes, a national treasure, to say the LEAST!
After my husband died I had a dream on the night of my birthday- I was born at 4 am so about that time. I had a dream I was walking into a beautiful little theater with red Velvet seats and bathed in golden light. I was the only person and I sat in the 10 row in the middle. And then ai head the steps on the old wood floor and my husband walked out with his acoustic guitar and steps in the middle of the stage and played this most beautiful song over and over and over. Wished me happy birthday, told me he loved me and walked off stage and I woke up. I love this song. It made me cry, too. I love Ms Cotton. A real hero of mine and my husband really played like her. Learned a lot from her.
I dont know wny, but I felt that same way. I am not even deeply into this style of music but I UNDERSTAND ITS WORTH.
The Anthropologist known as Alan Lomax is who to thank. For this and almost all other slave music back in this era. He did exceptionally amazing work
Well, now I'm crying! What a beautiful lady ! Her life story is such a lesson for todays youth.
As a former busker, I am forever grateful for Elizabeth Cotten and her " Freight Train".it was and still is to this day, one of my very favorite pieces to play. Hats off to a great lady !!
moments like this makes my endless search on youtube worth it
Can you imagine your grandmother picking up a banjo or a guitar or any instrument at all and playing original songs with such power and soul as Elizabeth Cotten does in this video? Only thing my grandmother did with this kind of intensity was make gravy and sugar toast.
One of the best comments I've read in a long time. :)
that's pretty cool too :)
many have technique, but a few got the soul..
I am a serious music buff and very very few have this technique. She is a tremendous player. She has tremendous command.
She was an American treasure....
shivers Vince Ajamu
This video is an American treasure,her legacy also.
She will always be🎶🌹❣️
A world treasure, talent and honesty of this kind cannot be defined by borders♥️
Until lately I only knew Freight Train as an instrumental tune, mainy from Chet Atkins... But this story literally breaks my Heart and what a beautiful tune she wrote, her guitar playing is amazing and the lyrics touching. I truely Hope she will still hear number nine passing by.
Saw her perform live at McCabes in Santa Monica. It was her 90th B-day and Mayor Tom Bradley had declared "Elizabeth Cotten Day" in Los Angeles. She wasn't an entirely unknown figure for as Pete Seeger once claimed "Good music will get around regardless of radio airplay or changing tastes. It's hard to believe that I saw a beautiful lady whose grandfather was born a slave. She was an American icon and I'll always remember seeing her live. I don't have a musical bone in my body as I was born entirely deficient of the music DNA (and believe me I've tried) but I know great music when I hear it and Libby Cotten played great music and is still playing for the Lord.
Absolutely astounding! 90 years old and still rife with meaning. Elizabeth is remarkable every time. Expressive and unrestrained by the oppressive ways of her time and the others that mandated such a sad state of affairs, yet her, resilient, and seeking solace in the diversions of her inner thoughts. A guitar virtuoso, an epic, a spirit of the highest ascensions.
Beautiful woman. Brings me to tears how she persevered to learn to play..
What I like about roots music, comes deep down from one's soul and connects with all soul's together. Corporate created artists, eat your hearts out.
She was the real deal, pure and simple... against all odds, love you, Lizzie, always and forever will!
it just makes me cry listening to this wise old beauty, in her wisdom and fruitful life...its that ol livin country voice that i just love, God bless her soul.
I've heard some very intricate versions including Chet Atkins' but when Elizabeth Cotton plays it the story unfolds...the song comes alive inspite of her age .
To me, hers was a true gift from God. You can feel the humility, love, sincerity that hits you right in the heart.
If it doesn't then maybe you don't have one.
I've been hearin' this song my whole life. I've known of Elizabeth Cotten and seen many videos on here on RUclips. However, this particular video and performance brought tears to my eyes. If I remember just a few videos/performances, this will always be one of 'em.
I love Elizabeth Cotton. What a kind soul!!!
This brought a smile to my face when she was talking about how hard she worked for a guitar. She has a lot to teach us all about hard work and perseverance.
The moment at the very end where she closes her eyes and just channels the guitar playing is a moment of true beauty. "Freight Train" it is a true gem! I sincerely hope she can still hear old number nine!
I remember back sometime in the early 70s, I saw Elizabeth Cotten on a TV show and she played Freight Train. She seemed so old and frail and her voice was a little reedy, but she played that song for all it was worth. It made a heck of an impression on me and I never forgot it.
we are fortunate that these precious moments were captured by someone that had the foresight to preserve musical history. talented beautiful soul that is in heaven I'm sure!
What an inspiring lady. I have struggled to learn to play guitar all my life without much success, and watching this today motivates me to keep trying to master the instrument!!
The interviewer is Scotland’s finest fiddle player,
Ali Bain. Catch him ,with many American guests....iris dement, Alison krauss ,on Transatlantic sessions with Ali and Gerry douglas
Hi from New Zealand,
The amazing thing about this women and the way she played the guitar and banjo.
Is that she was left handed, but both the guitar and banjo are strung right handed.
So she virtually, just played a right hand guitar and banjo upside down.
That is very hard to do.
I'm left handed, but I string the guitar with bass E string from top to treble E string to bottom. Jimmy Hendrix's did the same too.
I have two friends who play right handed guitars upside down. NOT EASY!
Moreover, I often wonder if she ever was paid the rewards, her song deserved.
Her contribution folk music will never be forgotten. Excellent video clip.
Elizabeth R.I.P.
I love this woman,she is absolutely wonderful God rest her soul RIP😢💜❤️💜😢
What a wonderful and gifted lady she was.
Wow man .... I see and Hear My grandmother, my great aunts, my great grandmothers and every ancestral woman in my family. She sounds and talks just like them and has the same personality and sassiness about her..... She's so many people and she is also herself.
Fantastic - Thanks for the posting -
She even bend the bass note - rich and detailed played and at the age of 90 - Simple just fantastic post and interview.
She is a Master, pure beautiful. rip Elizabeth, you made this world a better place.
Her fingers are moving so fast with such ease 🤯. She gives me so much to look forward to. I’m a new learner in my early 30s and I now know that I will have the power to play until the end of time. ❤
I love her she’s super cool man can u imagine her life hard parts and good parts wat a resilient lady just super wereever she is she definitely playing a geetar 😀😀cheers from Ireland 🇮🇪🎸🎸🎸🎸I love playing this tune 😍😍😍😍
Class!!! such a nice Lady ,god bless her!!! and who would give thumbs down to this film shame on you!!! she is the Hendrix!!!!
A great lady, thankfully rediscovered before she died in 1987 and beautifully captured on this video at the age of 90. Freight Train is my all-time favorite song for the guitar.
That subtle bend she plays on the F chord must be one of the most soulful notes ever played on the guitar anytime, any place.
Thankfully Someone Saved the Elizabeth Cotten Video ! I first heard about her back in the 1950s. Now in 2023 , at 80, I'm relearning the song "Freight Train" and how to finger pick a Gretsch G5022CWFE A/E. Guitars have changed over the past 100 years; However, her song "Freight Train" keeps on going. Thank You Elizabeth Cotten !!
Just got a signed album of her's off Ebay for a little more than a $100.00. What a testament to American Folk Music, she left some huge footsteps.....
I never met Elizabeth but I knew she worked for years for the Seeger family in Virginia. She was loved by the family.When she died, I went to Beacon NY to talk with Pete for CBS News. I had Pete come down to a RR track by the Hudson River and play the song, and talk about Elizabeth. Lovely piece, it aired on Dan Rather and CBS Evening News.
@@ljtgx need that video
‘Freight Train’ she plays here so beautiful with her beloved guitar Thanks so much Elizabeth🌺❤️🌹🌞🎶👌 RIP 🌹LYRICS:
A version!!
Freight train, freight train goin' so fast
Freight train, freight train goin' so fast
I don't know what train I'm on
Won't you tell me where I'm goin'?
When I die bury me deep
Down at the end of old Chestnut street
Tell all the people that I've done gone
And where I've gone I just don't know
Freight train, freight train goin' so fast
Freight train, freight train goin' so fast
I don't know what train I'm on
So won't you tell me where I'm goin'?
beautiful musical genius
Yes, beautiful and impressing
Thank you
Wow, I could sit and listen to her tell stories for hours. Freight train is an amazing song, I love how Doc Watson does it too.
Looking down the barrel of 100 years old, has forgotten more about finger picking than most will ever know and has a fire in her eyes that could melt steel. Talent and just plain good people like this will never happen again, at least in the foreseeable future. Sad times we are stuck in lately, very goddamned sad.
Love that grin at 6;49!! Beautiful clip too, which I will treasure deep in my heart and soul besides saving it on my RUclips account. What a gal!!
has anyone noticed she is playing the guitar,upside down and lefthanded?she obviously was self taught and comfortable with the way the music sounded.what a tune!
90 years old...I highly recommend her video, "in concert!" it's amazing
Elizabeth Cotton. Great to see and hear you again. A classic song, really inspiring. Wish I could be with you today
.Dave
Hunter, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
That was absolutely beautiful. What an amazing lady. Beautiful guitar playing.
Her story made me cry. The world is fucked up
+MrSnippety ......and getting worse!!
Thank you lovely lady. A true genius.
Bless her soul all be it she is already in heaven, absolutely amazing.
I love this interview!!!
Inspired me to learn fingerpicking all those years ago. Then l discovered Mississippi John Hurt, Gary Davis , and all those wonderful players . Priceless.
@terser This is something you would only find on RUclips, or if you were lucky enough in some library or watching public TV late enough. Thanks so much for the post.
Beautiful music and an amazing woman!
I remember being absolutely floored when I first heard her. "Freight Train" was the first fingerpicking song I ever learned, and Stefan Grossman's videotape was an incredeible help.
I love this lady, she is so much better than me and more important than me and she has done so much more with music than I could. I got it in the 1950;s from Nancy Whisky, not sure I would have got how awesome this version was at the time. This is rarefied air if you get it. love Spud
just imagine all the jems we didn't discover and haven't discovered out there
this lady is an icon of a part of our country. every time I listen to her I love her so much and I wish I could tell her.
The melodie of this song churned my guts around. In a good way.
I found her through Brianna Lea Pruett who covered this song on Labor Day 2009 Dolores Park San Francisco. Brianna has lead me to so much music and I treasure her for that. Just to bring this music out was wonderful of her though she is gone at 32 years old. Elizabeth Cotton was a treasure of the 20th Century in music and to watch her play this I cannot put into words. She was in her 90's and wonderful.
wow this is great its great to here real music
Man what a Blessing. Strung right handed, and just thumb and index finger....made my day.
This brought tears to my eyes. Thanks so much for posting it. I was so blown away that it took me until about the final ten seconds to realize that she is a lefty playing a right handed guitar upside down.
Exactly - and yet she composed and played songs with such sweet dexterity. Respect for the artist.
Fantastic, I love this old style of music. RIP Elizabeth.
fantastic.so glad this not lost.
Elizabeth was a Gift to the World and is a National Treasure for all to Remember :-)
What a gorgeous looking woman!
indeed
👋👋👋👋👋Thank ya for sharing this Wonderful story of Mrs Cotton✌💙
wow...she is so Amazing..i used to play this song when i was learning meself to play the guitar....wot a legend.......
She is playing that guitar upside down ... what a wonderful woman with wonderful spirit and music.... bless you Miss Elizabeth...
priceless video... thanks for sharing.. te amo Elizabeth Cotton ❤... totally awesome
I imagine trying to transpose from left hand chords everyone else was playing to the upside down right hand chords was a tough row to hoe for young Ms Cotton... I have aspired to pick like her.. I have a little trouble getting back the other way... sure enough
I tell people that work gives us dignity... this is exactly where we learn that most beautiful aphorism... 😍.. it certainly does
RIP Ms Cotton.. 🙏
Peace y'all 🙏✌☮🕊
I could listen to black old folk talk all the time so interesting there stories.
Awesome! This lady is the real deal.
w0w, after playing this for so long on the guitar, I never thought I would actually hear Elizabeth Cotten play it. Genius.
wow...she wrote freight train when she was 11.
i find it amazin that she stopped playin for so many yrs that when she started again its as if she never stopped.
god bless her soul. she wont b 4gotten.
True genius. I love her songs so much.
I love her so much, I am a lefty and I feel very connected with Miss Cotten! She is legendary! Thanks RUclips, without RUclips I never found out about her. :)
One of the most beautiful people to ever live. I honestly can't watch this video without crying.
What a wonderful video clip. Thanks so much for posting. My month is made!
Great roots player. Great story. Wonderful woman. Wretched Voice.
Well done Aly.
My folk hero.
You made history here.
What a joy to listen to this woman. She is a true American icon.
Most remarkable is that she's playing a right handed guitar left handed; just upside down, but without changing the strings around. I wonder if Jimi Hendrix could play Freight Train this way; actually I doubt it.
What a beautiful & amazing clip thank you very much. I use to sing this when riding a racehorse called Freight Train to the track.
This is the kind of music that speaks to your soul. You don't listen to it so much as you _feel_ it.
You wont hear a better guitar accompaniment to Freight Train than this from the old gal . Simple and superb .
Thanks much for posting.
Thanks to you Ms. Cotton.
What a wonderful clip!
I don't know that I've ever seen anyone playing a guitar upside-down so well before...
Amazing! 90 years old..... brings tears to my eyes...
Thank you for posting this video. More people can now see and hear this wonderfully talented woman. Her story is very heartwarming. Guitar players: notice the hammer ons & pull offs, note bend (2nd string 3rd fret), excellent finger picking style, all her own. Laying the ground work for many guitar players years later.
What a gem ty for posting.
When I first learned to play some 50 years ago, I already knew the style I wanted to learn; that Atkins/Travis/Cotton style. And the first song was Freight train.
this brought a huge smile to my face. what a wonderful lady...a true gem of americana.
W hen I was a child I would sing this song over and over. It was one of my favorites. Later on in life I became an aide doing home care. I went to the house as a sub and helped her daughter go to her visit with her doctors. When I was waiting for daughter I met Libba. I was more than happy. She was so sweet and kind. I was very pleased. I never told her I sang her songs when I was younger. Now sorry I didn't. This was in 1985.
Nancy Lupo