Elizabeth Cotten – Live! / Arhoolie CD-477

Description

CD 477

Elizabeth Cotten was the author of the folk classic “Freight Train,” at age 12, and other standards such as “Babe It Ain’t No Lie” and “Sugaree.” Ms. Cotton won a Grammy for Best Folk Album with this live recording that reveals her natural and charming approach to music and storytelling. Her finger picking guitar style (left handed, and upside down) has been imitated by thousands of folk guitar players. Her songs have been performed and recorded by a variety of artists including: Pete, Peggy and Mike Seeger, the Grateful Dead, Peter, Paul and Mary, Taj Mahal, Fred Neil, and Maria Muldaur.

This is a re-issue of Grammy award winning Arhoolie LP 1089.

1. Freight Train
2. Washington Blues
3. Jumpin’ Jack
4. Shake Sugaree (1)
5. Shake Sugaree (2)
6. Vastopol
7. Guitar Story
8. Oh Babe, It Ain’t No Lie
9. Elizabeth Story
10. Spanish Flangdang
11. ‘Til We Meet Again
12. Banjo Story
13. Rattler
14. Honeybabe,Your Papa Cares For You

REVIEW

“The music contained on this CD comes from a series of ‘live’ performances and love is truly in the air as this then 85 year old woman talks of her life, accompanying herself on guitar or banjo. The audience is truly mesmerized by her magic and you immediately become one of them. There are times during this recording when you actually find yourself joining in on a sing-a-long and having an out-of-body experience. Remarkable yes, but apparently commonplace for ‘Libba’ Cotten. She was truly a one-in-a-billion person and a performer who was blessed ‚ there’s not an other term that fits. This music transcends all boundaries even though it is labeled acoustic/country blues, and I urge even hard-core electric blues rockers to check out this magnificent recording. You’ll become an Elizabeth Cotten fan for life.”

-Andy Grigg, Real Blues