She started playing her brother's banjo before she picked up the guitar. At 7 years old she was picking the banjo, yea she was left handed and of course not having any lefty instruments she taught herself to play a righty and the rest is history. When she was 11 she picked up her brother's guitar to teach herself once again and then wrote Freight Train on her very own first guitar when she was barely a teenager. To say she was a National Treasure is very true and yet it isn't enough to describe how incredibly important Elizabeth Cotten was to music. She was amazing and left an indelible mark for all eternity. So, whoever left the dislikes on this, just know that you are not in any way diminishing Elizabeth Cotten's impact on history. Also, before I forget to mention, it does make you (your very selves) look completely pathetic and that is a very ugly and nasty stain on your character's souls. I thank the heavens every day that I'm not like you and that most of humanity is nothing like you either.
Well it may have been a case of “mistaken dislike” like a cat going over the keyboard sort of thing or baby making a mess on the thumbs down button for which the paper towel cleaning it up inadvertently disliked the video……….which I’m hoping for 😆😂
Wow. Why the hate? I can admire it, and appreciate her as a legend, but I did not really enjoy this performance. Somehow I doubt Elizabeth Cotton would read nearly as much into those 'dislikes' as you do. I suspect she would decide that some folks just don't like her kind of music . It does not make them 'pathetic' or represent an ugly stain on their character. It means they have different tastes in music than the others who watched this do, and they decided to use a feature provided by the site to express it. Not a big deal here.
I love music..as long as it's played well..genres, fads, unimportant..l love Bach, Handel, Elizabeth Cotton, Chet Atkins, James Burton..old Bavarian saying:"If only the sweetest voiced birds sang..the forest would be very quiet.."
I love RUclips! So many old bluesers on here and so many lovely ladies, I keep finding these bona fide performers, gemstones in their own right who have had so little publicity. Power to all these girls/ladies/women with their own inimitable styles, stories to tell and inspire. There are many of us who would never have known about them other than for those who loved them, hugged their performances to themselves and then shared what they loved with others. Many thanks.
One of my favorite guitar players. The way she holds and plays the guitar reminds me of Bradbury quoting Jiménez: "If they give you lined paper, write the other way."
I realize that. However, she was different because she didn't restring the guitar when she flipped it over, as most left-handers do. She left the bass line on the bottom.
This lady was one of the first musicians to appear on my phone, when I got the internet in 2020...I had never heard of her..I put her out there anyway..she's AMAZING❤
She's so lovely and smooth. In the second song when she said "see I'm playing this in ragtime style" I was so proud of myself for already recognizing that from the first song. Lol. Jazz History is the best class I've ever taken. I deeply love what I'm learning and all the treasures it's leading me to like Elizabeth Cotten.
I always picked with my right hand like she did with her left. it just came natural. I tried to strum the way you’re supposed to, but it just didn’t feel right. Everybody told me I did it wrong. I finally quit playing the guitar. I bet she could’ve told some stories I would’ve loved to of heard them .
Her phrasing & tones are absolutely unrivaled. What a wonderful, blessed & beautiful Woman here. Time and time again this video has saved me in a special way.
Sadly only a few can enjoy classics in music nowdays... All the old public died or is dying letting a few of us able to enjoy treasures like this until it just vanishes with years...
If you play guitar this a jaw dropping performance. She can independently pick the bass and melody and chords at the same time. Not only that, but she's playing a right handed guitar left handed, and plucking the bass with her fingers instead of the thumb. The pick guard would be below the hole if this were a left handed guitar.
I had a vision from the LORD , THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD I AM COMEING THE LORDS WORD OF TRUTH WAS WRITTEN ON MY FOREHEAD , I THEREFORE MUST SAY,THAT WHEN ST PAUL WRITES HE IS WRITTING THE LORDS COMMAND ,
A gift SHE worked her ass off to accomplish. If it had been a gift from god she would have picked up the guitar and started playing like this from day one.
When I started off on music, this lady was among the top of guitar players I wished to emulate. Now I make my own fingerpicking music and it's my own. I have her to thank for that.
i thought its only me that thinks this song, all her songs, are something intensely the best , i see everyone says the same, thats where you find out theres things in world that really has something inside and every being would be able to feel it, 'cause its strong....Music is strong.
I am sitting at my computer watching & listening to this with my mouth open, a sight no one should see without medical supervision. This lady has no gimmicks no flash just pure musical genius .If I had a wish it would be to play alongside her on my African drums I love her work MAGIC FINGERS MAXWELL
I'm going to try and not be stupid here but, What are African Drums and how do they differ from regular drums? Are they kinda like Bongo's? What is the sound difference when playing with a folksy guitar Like Elizabeth played? Thanks for answering.
Ms cotton is so dope.. playing a left-handed guitar upside down similar to the style of Jimmy she's got more blues in one pinky finger most people have in their entire body. 🎵🤘. Who needs words🎵 we don't need no stinking words her pickin that damn Good. What a beautiful vessel of god-given music going away fitting song for sure.
Elizabeth "Libba" Cotten, nacida Elizabeth Neville, (Chapel Hill, 5 de enero de 1893 - 29 de junio de 1987) fue una cantante, guitarrista y compositora estadounidense de música folk y blues. Desarrolló una peculiar técnica de tocar la guitarra que es conocida como el "Cotten picking", en honor a su nombre.
I reckon there are folks who would not be satisfied with a free Christmas...probably just wanting folks to see how "edgy" or "jaded" they think they are.
Libba Cotten was a musical genius and an incredible guitarist. You also have to understand that teachers forced lefthanders to write and function with their right hands. The teachers thought this to be correct since most things were made for righthanders. They thought they were doing them a favor. Looks to me that Libba was superior as she learned on a right handed guitar and did it in a most unusual style. Guitarists try to get that pickin style and sound that she coined but, it's never quite as good as Ms. Cottens' style. Rhiannon Giddens plays and sings some of her music very well. She is one of the few that really stand out in this century. Ms. Giddens is helping to keep Libbas' music alive well. Thank-you, Ms. Giddens
I saw a documentary on UK TV, featuring Aly Bain, at 70. it was mainly about him him searching out 'Americana' music, some decades ago. In it was a clip of this lady aged 92 and she could still 'pick a mean guitar'. Her voice may not be perfect, but when you think of the life she had, when young. And the oppressed culture she was raised in.
She was only 15 yrs old .. life was hard back then... im kidding , this person is amazing , im almost 50 yrs old .. i prob got plastic blood . but she made me happy tonight , ya'll be nice to each other out there please...see you out there.
![Elizabeth Cotton - live [Colourised] 1965](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/q-OJsy3Z6r8/mqdefault.jpg)
National treasure...rare gem of a human being.
Ññ
You said it perfectly.
no man...thats natural talen t and it aint personal
This makes the money I pay for my Internet subscription worth it!
agree
You're a wise woman Elisa!
Amen sir!
She has more soul in her pinkie than the cacophony of today's music .. combined!
She started playing her brother's banjo before she picked up the guitar. At 7 years old she was picking the banjo, yea she was left handed and of course not having any lefty instruments she taught herself to play a righty and the rest is history. When she was 11 she picked up her brother's guitar to teach herself once again and then wrote Freight Train on her very own first guitar when she was barely a teenager. To say she was a National Treasure is very true and yet it isn't enough to describe how incredibly important Elizabeth Cotten was to music. She was amazing and left an indelible mark for all eternity.
So, whoever left the dislikes on this, just know that you are not in any way diminishing Elizabeth Cotten's impact on history. Also, before I forget to mention, it does make you (your very selves) look completely pathetic and that is a very ugly and nasty stain on your character's souls.
I thank the heavens every day that I'm not like you and that most of humanity is nothing like you either.
Thank you for speaking, it may only be a troll, but thank you again for speaking truth as bout integrity and soul.
Well it may have been a case of “mistaken dislike” like a cat going over the keyboard sort of thing or baby making a mess on the thumbs down button for which the paper towel cleaning it up inadvertently disliked the video……….which I’m hoping for 😆😂
She's amazing!
Wow. Why the hate? I can admire it, and appreciate her as a legend, but I did not really enjoy this performance. Somehow I doubt Elizabeth Cotton would read nearly as much into those 'dislikes' as you do. I suspect she would decide that some folks just don't like her kind of music . It does not make them 'pathetic' or represent an ugly stain on their character. It means they have different tastes in music than the others who watched this do, and they decided to use a feature provided by the site to express it. Not a big deal here.
I love music..as long as it's played well..genres, fads, unimportant..l love Bach, Handel, Elizabeth Cotton, Chet Atkins, James Burton..old Bavarian saying:"If only the sweetest voiced birds sang..the forest would be very quiet.."
I love RUclips! So many old bluesers on here and so many lovely ladies, I keep finding these bona fide performers, gemstones in their own right who have had so little publicity. Power to all these girls/ladies/women with their own inimitable styles, stories to tell and inspire. There are many of us who would never have known about them other than for those who loved them, hugged their performances to themselves and then shared what they loved with others. Many thanks.
what an incredibly wholesome comment
One of my favorite guitar players. The way she holds and plays the guitar reminds me of Bradbury quoting Jiménez: "If they give you lined paper, write the other way."
+John Sasser That quote is Juan Ramon Gimenez own ;)
+marcosmza1962 What you say is true, thanks for clarifying! Bradbury was merely quoting Jimenez. :D
Moon Along My Head ;)
she was left handed not trying to be different
I realize that. However, she was different because she didn't restring the guitar when she flipped it over, as most left-handers do. She left the bass line on the bottom.
she's so beautiful in every way
You can tell she grew up in North Carolina by her guitar style. It’s got that Piedmont blues feel with a scoop of rag. Beautiful and timeless.
This woman was a genius! ❤️
Where has this WOMAN been all my musical life 🍃
This lady was one of the first musicians to appear on my phone, when I got the internet in 2020...I had never heard of her..I put her out there anyway..she's AMAZING❤
She's so lovely and smooth. In the second song when she said "see I'm playing this in ragtime style" I was so proud of myself for already recognizing that from the first song. Lol. Jazz History is the best class I've ever taken. I deeply love what I'm learning and all the treasures it's leading me to like Elizabeth Cotten.
She definitely had that whole Scott Joplin progression going on there.
Support music education at all levels
You are simply FANTASTIC, Ms. Cotten!! Thank you. God bless you.
Got what a badass player, and yet so sweet and soft-spoken. LEGEND
the most unique fingerpicking ive ever seen! What a a great surprise that theres a live version of such an old classic
Still? I thought I was doing something.
I always picked with my right hand like she did with her left. it just came natural. I tried to strum the way you’re supposed to, but it just didn’t feel right. Everybody told me I did it wrong. I finally quit playing the guitar.
I bet she could’ve told some stories I would’ve loved to of heard them .
Elizabeth is the epitome of cool. So smooth, the notes just float out of that guitar.
Best ad for Martin guitars...looks like a 30's 000...Vince Gill wants it.
Hello from England, this Lady is one beautiful Soul, and I could listen to her beautiful music to humanity forever.
Hello .. Kia Ora bessiebraveheart from New Zealand
💙🫶❤️Aotearoa❤🫶💙
I am stunned.
Her phrasing & tones are absolutely unrivaled. What a wonderful, blessed & beautiful Woman here. Time and time again this video has saved me in a special way.
I never heard of her until today and I've listened to 4 of her songs and looking for more. What an amazing talented woman.
Washington Blues is the perfect tune ! It enters my mind and brings a smile to my heart and soul. Thank you Ms. Cotten you are an inspiration.
Her and sister Rosetta Tharpe are my late findings in life. Much respect
me too! I was suprised how little known they are, based on their influence on modern music o.O
I Love This Music. She is playing "Rag Time" style. Ms. Cotten is fantastic. I heard of her until May 7, 2023. I am 80 years young!!! I Love Her!
Ms. Cotten, you're a joy! Such a natural.
OMG!!! how beautiful!!! I don't why this lady draws so much emotion out of me....
Great stuff by a very talented lady.
It's amazing how she plays the strings in reverse order!
I love blues!
I could listen to this over and over again
Love this lady. She is so like my beloved grandmother. Beautiful ♥️🙏
So many layers to her style! It's like she's accompanying herself on bass with the low tones.
Back here again to listen and watch Mrs Cotton play just amazing ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
The scott Joplin of the guitar. Love this woman and her music!
it was the same first time i heard Joplin , you find that strong feeling of "This is Something, this is really something"
Why aren't there a million hits on this?
cuz Earth has about 7.6 billion idiots who just buy whatver is being sold
Sadly only a few can enjoy classics in music nowdays... All the old public died or is dying letting a few of us able to enjoy treasures like this until it just vanishes with years...
Because the music industry.
THIS GAL CAN PLAY A GUITAR..HER FRET WORKING IS AMAZING R.I.P. ELISABETH COTTON 😊☮️❤️☯️ A BEAUTIFULL SOUL...!!
This lady is brilliant . She is so skilled and dexterous at her age.
I just discovered her, WOW! Great broken heart song. She is one of two guitarist I know of that play both left hand and reverse strings.
She is amazing!!!!!!!!!! Love from Brazil.
I have adored this woman for years. She is totally amazing. Thank you forever Ms Cotten. 💖
My father used to sing this song.
If you play guitar this a jaw dropping performance. She can independently pick the bass and melody and chords at the same time. Not only that, but she's playing a right handed guitar left handed, and plucking the bass with her fingers instead of the thumb.
The pick guard would be below the hole if this were a left handed guitar.
flawless in every way
Loved seeing this ... love you, Libba
Beautiful ! Pure soul music!
One of the wonders of the world..... xxx
Two beautiful songs.Thank you Elizabeth Cotten.
surley her gift is from God ,so deep in feeling marvelous guitar playing
I had a vision from the LORD ,
THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD
I AM COMEING
THE LORDS WORD OF TRUTH WAS WRITTEN ON MY FOREHEAD ,
I THEREFORE MUST SAY,THAT WHEN ST PAUL WRITES HE IS WRITTING THE LORDS COMMAND ,
I'm so glad to see this and learn of Elizabeth Cotten, truly amazing, thank you!
this lady playing always brings me tears. tears of joy
STRINGS OF SOUL.
She's awesome and someone we should ALL look up to.
A natural gift of God. A beautiful pure soul.
A gift SHE worked her ass off to accomplish. If it had been a gift from god she would have picked up the guitar and started playing like this from day one.
@@davidjohnson-fo7ze SHE is the gift to us, not her skills to her.
Hot damn she got the blues real bad! Absolutely perfect 👌 ❤
Beautiful!
This is so touching & heartfelt. Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!
Just love listening to her!
Music, every note from the heart
Amazing original talent!
Beautiful.
Beautiful love
Make's me warm and cozy ! thanks'
When I started off on music, this lady was among the top of guitar players I wished to emulate. Now I make my own fingerpicking music and it's my own. I have her to thank for that.
I think she taught Peggy Seeger her way of playing!
amazing just amazing . no tik tok no social media influencer , just a humble massive talent too bad that world is gone
She is simply jaw dropping 🧡 Thanks for posting this.
Elizabeth Cotten… wow… she’s got a real Mance Lipscomb-style fingerpickin love it! Good Happy Blues
Elizabeth Cotten one of The Essentials
This is real treasure!!!
Yup. It is upside down and backwards! She is that awesome!
Thank you, mam. Prefer the songs of hers with vocal. What a gem!
This Lady is truely amazing!
i thought its only me that thinks this song, all her songs, are something intensely the best , i see everyone says the same, thats where you find out theres things in world that really has something inside and every being would be able to feel it, 'cause its strong....Music is strong.
This guitar touch my heart!
She is awesome....
She looks 100 here. Really??
+Buttermilk2015
Awesome as a guitar player.. or if he meant what you were thinking, then he must be 105 :D
Just beautiful and natural ❤❤
I am sitting at my computer watching & listening to this with my mouth open, a sight no one should see without medical supervision. This lady has no gimmicks no flash just pure musical genius .If I had a wish it would be to play alongside her on my African drums
I love her work
MAGIC FINGERS MAXWELL
Me Too!! Bob.
I'm going to try and not be stupid here but, What are African Drums and how do they differ from regular drums? Are they kinda like Bongo's? What is the sound difference when playing with a folksy guitar Like Elizabeth played? Thanks for answering.
Is MAGIC FINGERS MAXWELL your pornstar name? Doesn't matter, no one has heard of you.
when i read your comment... i realized my mouth was in that same state....beyond incredible...
Ms cotton is so dope.. playing a left-handed guitar upside down similar to the style of Jimmy she's got more blues in one pinky finger most people have in their entire body. 🎵🤘. Who needs words🎵 we don't need no stinking words her pickin that damn Good. What a beautiful vessel of god-given music going away fitting song for sure.
This is so beautiful.
Love how this lady plays guitar isn't she beautiful such a sweetie pie
She's one hell of a guitar playing man I love finger-picking myself but she brings it to a different level I like that
Truely wonderful she was bless with some great skills
That Lady got the blues!
Bestest. Great
Her hands are young and beautiful
At last! thanks a ton! You just made the world a better place to live! I bow to you!
She played with the left hand and the guitar upside down. Crazy thing. I'm playing guitar since thirty years but i could never di the same
from t.a.awua to Elizabeth Cotton music,excellent music to listen to.thank u.
She's playing so intricately. She's astounding.
Elizabeth "Libba" Cotten, nacida Elizabeth Neville, (Chapel Hill, 5 de enero de 1893 - 29 de junio de 1987) fue una cantante, guitarrista y compositora estadounidense de música folk y blues. Desarrolló una peculiar técnica de tocar la guitarra que es conocida como el "Cotten picking", en honor a su nombre.
I play this way and she is perfect. I wish she was my grandma. Even though I'm white!
Who disliked this video. I'm not mad I just want to talk
THis is one of the most profound responses I ever heard. My hat down for you, gentle soul
I reckon there are folks who would not be satisfied with a free Christmas...probably just wanting folks to see how "edgy" or "jaded" they think they are.
That is strange that someone could hit dislike. I'd like to think it was accidental....
some folks just have no idea what they listening to :)
Homefree On a Suzuki That’s what I thing
I love her
She is lovely.
No matter where I am, how old I am or whatever rubbish is going on in my life, Elizabeth is there for me
Libba Cotten was a musical genius and an incredible guitarist. You also have to understand that teachers forced lefthanders to write and function with their right hands. The teachers thought this to be correct since most things were made for righthanders. They thought they were doing them a favor. Looks to me that Libba was superior as she learned on a right handed guitar and did it in a most unusual style. Guitarists try to get that pickin style and sound that she coined but, it's never quite as good as Ms. Cottens' style. Rhiannon Giddens plays and sings some of her music very well. She is one of the few that really stand out in this century. Ms. Giddens is helping to keep Libbas' music alive well. Thank-you, Ms. Giddens
Amazing......
Love this! A historic treasure!
I saw a documentary on UK TV, featuring Aly Bain, at 70. it was mainly about him him searching out 'Americana' music, some decades ago. In it was a clip of this lady aged 92 and she could still 'pick a mean guitar'. Her voice may not be perfect, but when you think of the life she had, when young. And the oppressed culture she was raised in.
She was only 15 yrs old .. life was hard back then... im kidding , this person is amazing , im almost 50 yrs old .. i prob got plastic blood . but she made me happy tonight , ya'll be nice to each other out there please...see you out there.
She is one hell of a guitarist and musician.
She played that way because she "borrowed" her brothers guitar when he was out of the house, and she was left handed.
great musician
absolute precious treasure