I had the privilege of meeting Elizabeth at the New Morning Blues Festival in Geneva, Switzerland in 1979. She sang Freight Train live on that occasion..
I have the pleasure of having met her family several times. They did a wonderful rendition of this song at a local open mic. It was a beautiful homage.
Music in the raw... no special effects....no expensive video... just Elizabeth Cotten with her personality and picking ? See He'll have to go cover Albert Croak on youtube and read the Comments to explain unusual video and take a peek at Freight Train cover Albert Croak .. Well gave it a go but prefer the original ? see the other videos ?
sorry to be so offtopic but does anybody know of a tool to log back into an instagram account? I was stupid lost the login password. I would appreciate any tricks you can give me
I don't think her pitching is "bad". It's from the heart. It's earnest. It's genuine. It's pure. That's why it was and is still popular. She doesn't have to sing like Beverly Sills.
Fun fact. She was left-handed and a self-taught guitarist. We can see on the video that she played a guitar strung for a right-handed player holding the guitar upside down - very rare. Nicely done.
Exactly. All these people trying to tell me she’s doing this and that but the fact of the matter is she plays exactly the same way I do. Upside down. I’m left handed but I play a right handed guitar. Still strung right handed. It’s like looking in a mirror for me
Don't know why but this music makes my heart heavy and makes me wanna cry, thinking about my grandpa and the things i wish i would have talked with him about
All I would like to say is that Elizabeth cotton"s freight train is my favourite song ever...I'm an old punk rocker with a n appreciate of other music..
It's really something how much sound she got with only picking with her thumb and forfinger. AND upside down and backwards. What a creative talent she was. God bless her.
Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten (January 5, 1893 - June 29, 1987) was an American blues and folk musician, singer, and songwriter. A self-taught left-handed guitarist, Cotten developed her own original style. Her approach involved using a right-handed guitar (usually in standard tuning), not re-strung for left-handed playing, essentially, holding a right-handed guitar upside down. This position required her to play the bass lines with her fingers and the melody with her thumb. Her signature alternating bass style has become known as "Cotten picking."
I had no idea who wrote this song but I used to listen to it on a juke box in my parent's bar when I was a little kid and it stuck in my head. On days that no babysitter could be had I had to go with mom when she opened the bar and it was long days waiting for dad to arrive to relieve her after he put in a day delivering mail and taking in a nap before coming to the bar. Sometimes it was so busy that both of them worked until after midnight and on the weekends the place was jumping. Such memories. I wish I could remember who did this song on that record way back sometime in the late '50's. My birthday today by the way, Not feeling 61 but maybe 50. :) Way to go, Elizabeth!
This was one of the first songs i learnt....about 40 years ago !.....no internet then so no idea what she sounded like.She's fantastic....thanks to whoever put this up on utube.
Wow, can't thank Tommy Emmanuel enough for introducing me to this talented lady. I can't believe my ears or my eyes. How she is playing her fingerstyle technique is so unique and incredible. Playing the guitar upside down and all the bass notes with her index finger and the melody and rhythm all with her thumb. Seriously can't get over this so inspiring.
Her guitar position actually allowed her to emphasize the treble notes in ways that are otherwise impossible. Listen closely and you can hear how different it sounds when your thumb hits the higher strings as opposed to the lower strings
i've been playing and studying this song for eons. You're right cause I cannot replicate the accents and the tone of the treble nor can I replicate her spirit in what sounds like a "simple" song. She is on the guitar god pantheon. Don't let the simplicity fool you this lady has the chops.
I’ve been playing this way for almost 30 years. As a kid all I had access was to a righty. I wasn’t aware of anyone else that did it until I was into my 20s. I had to develop my own finger positions for chord shapes movement and technique. Cotton picking is no stranger to me naturally and the funny thing is I’m 45 now and only just found Elizabeth Cotton.
oh god She’s playing left with a right handed guitar, which means the strings are reversed. So the guitar for her is like a banjo, to the extent that her thumb plucks higher notes.
Yeah man kinda, she played and myself still play to a standard E tune. Whereas the banjo is tuned to an open chord. I think? I intend to Get one after watching Elizabeth.
yes, she is out of tune but it is part of her music. she doesn't pretend to be in tune, she sings with her natural voice without pretenciousness and that's why it is so deep
ME AGAIN 😁 IVE LISTENED TO MANY VERSIONS OF FREIGHT TRAIN...AND STILL ELIZABETH COTTON'S IS MY FAVOURITE. .AND STILL MY FAVOURITE ALL TIME SONG..RIP ELIZABETH COTTON THANK YOU...XX
I always find it interesting when 'so called' professionals are critical of someone elses work. Every professional I have ever met, regardless of the field, is always encouraging. I would think one could find something positive to say about this woman's abilities... like the fact that she not only taught herself to play the guitar but that she plays upsidedown!! I have tried to play basic chords upside down; I cant do it and I have been playing over 30 years!
Thanks for posting. What a "Gem". Very fascinating to watch her play the "right handed" guitar "upside down left handed". She has to play the bass notes with her index finger and melody notes with the thumb. Opposite of most players. Very unusual. Love the way she bends the notes. Real good unique player. Beautiful. Thanks. One of the all time classics.
As to her voice... She sounds ALOT like how AP Carter and the Carters sounded 'way back when'. Elizabeth sounds great in this video and though she is no longer with us, I offer kudos to her for what she accomplished!
Thank YOU JESUS for delivering her to our paths . Lord Bless Liz Cotten and all who adore what the Lady stands for . Praise Jesus . Love in His Names Sakes..
Wow! God bless you! What an amazing heritage your friend has! Love to your friend, and to you and yours. I was lucky enough to see and hear great great great grandma Libba Cotten performing numerous times at the Philadelphia Folk Festival in the 1960s-early 1980s. When she played, the entire audience of thousands of folk music lovers became quiet and respectful and we loved her. When she played ‘Freight Train’, the audience sang along with her in quiet voices and some cried for joy to hear and see such authentic, tremendous and yet unassuming talent. The other performers were in awe of her - the greats in american folk music and bluegrass - listened with a yearning to understand her life and talent. She demanded nothing of anyone, and gave us all her gift. I even took some BW photos although I am not sure I could find them now. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Cotten
Beautifully sang and guitar work, she could play so well. About the train coming along her house when she was a child. Enjoy it every time I hear her🌞🌹❤️👌
The reason she played it upside down (she has revealed this in interviews etc) is that she was left-handed and the first guitar she picked up was right-handed, so when she turned it around the bass strings were where her fingers reached them naturally, and the treble strings where her thumb reached them naturally.
you said it all ... see Kathys song cover Albert Croak on youtube .. He'll have to go Albert Croak ... Childrens home Albert Croak... Shake my Tree ... Beer belly blues and others .
I never heard of her until I saw her listed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame exhibit in Cleveland, OH. Made me curious enough to google her to learn more and I’m glad I did! ❤
I hope she knew what a great song she wrote when she was 12, it should have been on Voyager, this bit of video should be played in every school. Nobody can cover this, I paint, but I cant compete with art like this.Spud
This is her composition that is played by many finger style guitarists...she owns it! Very talented lady! Note the guitar is actually stringed for right hand player. She is actually playing the base string with her index finger & the melody with her thumb...completely opposite to convention and that's quite a feat!
You can clearly see where Mark Knopfler got his style. Close your eyes and listen and you'll clearly hear Knopfler's style in her playing. This is truly legendary stuff. Beautiful all the way around.
Such a gift to have these original recordings... especially since some of the 'greats' have recorded this particular song --- Joan Baez, Chet Atkins, Lenny Breau, Hank Williams, Mississippi John Hurt and many others!!! Such a gift!
this song takes me back to the days wheni i was a kid and my babcia would sing this to me :) i cry everytime i hear this song but the memories it gave me are some of the best in my life
I believe Elizabeth 'Libba' Cotten, who was a house maid for the Seeger family wrote 'Freight Train' when she was about 12yrs old. This clip was recorded when she was in her 80's or thereabouts. Her guitar is strung right-handed, and she plays left-handed, with the guitar 'upside down'. That isn't easy for anyone. This lady should be revered as a US national treasure, and in my mind is beyond criticism. Claudia you know nothing.
![The Animals - House Of The Rising Sun (Music Video) [4K HD]](/img/n.gif)
Eternal testament to self-teaching. Upside down AND backwards. Timeless talent.
My mom used to sing this song to me as a kid. Brings back memories. Thank you mom, RIP
Jess Venable so sorry to hear that,I know it's been a year,but still,happens to everyone's,but don't worry,you will still see her when time comes 😊
I had the privilege of meeting Elizabeth at the New Morning Blues Festival in Geneva, Switzerland in 1979. She sang Freight Train live on that occasion..
that's cool!
I have the pleasure of having met her family several times. They did a wonderful rendition of this song at a local open mic. It was a beautiful homage.
@@BadBricksProductions yea well she played it at my funeral.
wow, you're so lucky
@@ahluvayeww8001 that cause you’re dead inside?
There are no words for how much I love this. The more I listen to it, the more I love it.
Music in the raw... no special effects....no expensive video... just Elizabeth Cotten with her personality and picking ? See He'll have to go cover Albert Croak on youtube and read the Comments to explain unusual video and take a peek at Freight Train cover Albert Croak .. Well gave it a go but prefer the original ? see the other videos ?
amen.
Unprocessed wholesome goodness.
Made me cry a few times... Pretty powerful...
sorry to be so offtopic but does anybody know of a tool to log back into an instagram account?
I was stupid lost the login password. I would appreciate any tricks you can give me
I just love this... She was an Icon!
Used to sing this when I was just a little boy. Love this lady. Remind s me of my great grandmother.
I don't think her pitching is "bad". It's from the heart. It's earnest. It's genuine. It's pure. That's why it was and is still popular. She doesn't have to sing like Beverly Sills.
Fun fact. She was left-handed and a self-taught guitarist. We can see on the video that she played a guitar strung for a right-handed player holding the guitar upside down - very rare. Nicely done.
And wrote this song when she was 12 years of age. Ubelievably talented.
Fun fact? More like duh? That's pretty self evident
Exactly. All these people trying to tell me she’s doing this and that but the fact of the matter is she plays exactly the same way I do.
Upside down. I’m left handed but I play a right handed guitar. Still strung right handed. It’s like looking in a mirror for me
@@scoods626 you’d think so but everyone seems to an expert.
Totally at peace with this yall!!!
a woman that a real man can not resist to love...such beautiful music, ful of soul and heart
Elizabeth Cotten was a self-taught musician...natural talent...wonderful song!
Isn't she lovely! And what a wonderful guitar picker & singer!
What a treasure. She has an ear for the music. An eye and a heart as well
I love you Elizabeth Cotton ♥️ thank you for all your inspirational guidance ♥️
Don't know why but this music makes my heart heavy and makes me wanna cry, thinking about my grandpa and the things i wish i would have talked with him about
Thats why it’s the blues🤷🏽♂️
Definitely can relate to what you said tho
All I would like to say is that Elizabeth cotton"s freight train is my favourite song ever...I'm an old punk rocker with a n appreciate of other music..
It's really something how much sound she got with only picking with her thumb and forfinger. AND upside down and backwards.
What a creative talent she was. God bless her.
Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten (January 5, 1893 - June 29, 1987) was an American blues and folk musician, singer, and songwriter.
A self-taught left-handed guitarist, Cotten developed her own original style. Her approach involved using a right-handed guitar (usually in standard tuning), not re-strung for left-handed playing, essentially, holding a right-handed guitar upside down. This position required her to play the bass lines with her fingers and the melody with her thumb. Her signature alternating bass style has become known as "Cotten picking."
Wow cheers!
Babyface uses the same technique: play a right-handed guitar left-handedly.
Alternating bass is a feature of Ki Ho'alu aka 'Slack Key'. Talented lady indeed.
Sound country...
I always thought the phrase came from the black workers working in the cotton fields?
Still here in 2020, good to see some actually good music still around
Iconic ... beloved ... some limelight at last ... and she WILL last. love, Peggy
I had no idea who wrote this song but I used to listen to it on a juke box in my parent's bar when I was a little kid and it stuck in my head. On days that no babysitter could be had I had to go with mom when she opened the bar and it was long days waiting for dad to arrive to relieve her after he put in a day delivering mail and taking in a nap before coming to the bar. Sometimes it was so busy that both of them worked until after midnight and on the weekends the place was jumping. Such memories. I wish I could remember who did this song on that record way back sometime in the late '50's. My birthday today by the way, Not feeling 61 but maybe 50. :) Way to go, Elizabeth!
+Paul Streicher It blew me away to discover she wrote this classic, eye opener to realise it was women's work :)
Paul Streicher she wrote this song!
At 14 according to Pete Seeger!
Thanks for sharing the anecdote. Gives the tune some new flavor.
I member this song from when l was a child, always loved the melody. Thanks for posting😊
This was one of the first songs i learnt....about 40 years ago !.....no internet then so no idea what she sounded like.She's fantastic....thanks to whoever put this up on utube.
You had no idea just because there was no internet? Where did you live?
This is therapy...
Yes it is
Wow, can't thank Tommy Emmanuel enough for introducing me to this talented lady. I can't believe my ears or my eyes. How she is playing her fingerstyle technique is so unique and incredible. Playing the guitar upside down and all the bass notes with her index finger and the melody and rhythm all with her thumb. Seriously can't get over this so inspiring.
The whole is more than the sum of it's parts.
I love this song..
Her guitar position actually allowed her to emphasize the treble notes in ways that are otherwise impossible. Listen closely and you can hear how different it sounds when your thumb hits the higher strings as opposed to the lower strings
i've been playing and studying this song for eons. You're right cause I cannot replicate the accents and the tone of the treble nor can I replicate her spirit in what sounds like a "simple" song. She is on the guitar god pantheon. Don't let the simplicity fool you this lady has the chops.
I’ve been playing this way for almost 30 years. As a kid all I had access was to a righty.
I wasn’t aware of anyone else that did it until I was into my 20s. I had to develop my own finger positions for chord shapes movement and technique. Cotton picking is no stranger to me naturally and the funny thing is I’m 45 now and only just found Elizabeth Cotton.
Isn’t it because she’s a lefty playing a righty?
oh god She’s playing left with a right handed guitar, which means the strings are reversed. So the guitar for her is like a banjo, to the extent that her thumb plucks higher notes.
Yeah man kinda, she played and myself still play to a standard E tune. Whereas the banjo is tuned to an open chord. I think? I intend to Get one after watching Elizabeth.
Good ol' American folk music!
I started liking this song and I'm amazed on how she can play with her eyes closed
I do love her, old face, young hands
I’ve always loved this. She’s awesome!
✌️🤯 🎸 🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶
yes, she is out of tune but it is part of her music.
she doesn't pretend to be in tune, she sings with her natural voice without pretenciousness and that's why it is so deep
So wonderful to see & hear Ms. Cotton singing her own composition.
ME AGAIN 😁 IVE LISTENED TO MANY VERSIONS OF FREIGHT TRAIN...AND STILL ELIZABETH COTTON'S IS MY FAVOURITE. .AND STILL MY FAVOURITE ALL TIME SONG..RIP ELIZABETH COTTON THANK YOU...XX
I always find it interesting when 'so called' professionals are critical of someone elses work. Every professional I have ever met, regardless of the field, is always encouraging.
I would think one could find something positive to say about this woman's abilities... like the fact that she not only taught herself to play the guitar but that she plays upsidedown!! I have tried to play basic chords upside down; I cant do it and I have been playing over 30 years!
Monumental ! Un moment d'authenticité...
I'm speechless. The lady was incredibly gifted.
One of the truly great folksongs and wonderful to be able to watch and hear Elizabeth perform it.
Thanks for posting. What a "Gem". Very fascinating to watch her play the "right handed" guitar "upside down left handed". She has to play the bass notes with her index finger and melody notes with the thumb. Opposite of most players. Very unusual. Love the way she bends the notes. Real good unique player. Beautiful. Thanks. One of the all time classics.
I can't even explain the emotions I felt listening to this song...
As to her voice... She sounds ALOT like how AP Carter and the Carters sounded 'way back when'. Elizabeth sounds great in this video and though she is no longer with us, I offer kudos to her for what she accomplished!
Asteroid city brought me back to this classic piece of music
This song is Folk Music History, written around 1904, and here performed by its composer.
A pleasure to listen to.
Thankyou for downloading.
Fretting technique is like Perfect... How many of u wish they played this way after watching her??
Nice and easy tutorial for RH upside down: czcams.com/video/kOBbnMCMEBE/video.html
Do you see the way she does the bendings? they are perfect and she makes it look so easy like full auto mode! ;-D
And she is left-handed! and she does not change the strings.. she plays it upside down!! raw talent!
I already played this way over 50 years.
One of the first songs I ever heard as a child, really holds a special place in my heart.
She's tuned down a whole step if you're trying to figure it out, so it's in B flat.
So beautiful song, I never heard Elizabeth Cotten before and she is (was) amazing!
Thank YOU JESUS for delivering her to our paths . Lord Bless Liz Cotten and all who adore what the Lady stands for . Praise Jesus . Love in His Names Sakes..
I love her so! This has been my favorite song since I was 4 years old
That's my friends great great great grandma
Love yr profile pict
Wow! God bless you! What an amazing heritage your friend has! Love to your friend, and to you and yours.
I was lucky enough to see and hear great great great grandma Libba Cotten performing numerous times at the Philadelphia Folk Festival in the 1960s-early 1980s.
When she played, the entire audience of thousands of folk music lovers became quiet and respectful and we loved her. When she played ‘Freight Train’, the audience sang along with her in quiet voices and some cried for joy to hear and see such authentic, tremendous and yet unassuming talent.
The other performers were in awe of her - the greats in american folk music and bluegrass - listened with a yearning to understand her life and talent. She demanded nothing of anyone, and gave us all her gift. I even took some BW photos although I am not sure I could find them now.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Cotten
To add to the mystique, she actually got away from guitar for 40 years to raise a family but ended up relearning it.
This woman is an absolute treasure
Great to hear this original lady. What a piece of history.
Beautifully sang and guitar work, she could play so well.
About the train coming along her house when she was a child. Enjoy it every time I hear her🌞🌹❤️👌
Anyone realized she played it upside down? Respect!
+mannyplayer001 There's a video available where Mike Seeger interviews her and she even plays the 5-string banjo "upside down".
+mannyplayer001 She played it left-handed.
+Rebekah Miller yes but the strings are strung for a right hand player, so the guitar is upside down
Wow I didn't even notice that
The reason she played it upside down (she has revealed this in interviews etc) is that she was left-handed and the first guitar she picked up was right-handed, so when she turned it around the bass strings were where her fingers reached them naturally, and the treble strings where her thumb reached them naturally.
You can't teach this type of guitar playing, it's absolutely beautiful!
you said it all ... see Kathys song cover Albert Croak on youtube .. He'll have to go Albert Croak ... Childrens home Albert Croak... Shake my Tree ... Beer belly blues and others .
WOW!!! This is truly amazing only discovered her today (May 15 2022) what an excellent talent
i love how she closes her eyes when she sings.
I never heard of her until I saw her listed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame exhibit in Cleveland, OH. Made me curious enough to google her to learn more and I’m glad I did! ❤
a lot of people do this song but the bends and embellishments she puts on it are my favorite way to hear this song
Definitely in the running for the greatest country song ever written.
Memory of elizabeth cotten by firehose.. amazing tune
Elizabeth would do that beautiful little nod when she approved how the song was going.
I hope she knew what a great song she wrote when she was 12, it should have been on Voyager, this bit of video should be played in every school. Nobody can cover this, I paint, but I cant compete with art like this.Spud
Awesome stuff, She was amazing- self- taught and a lefty :)
Picking upside-down at that (guitar's strung for a rightie).
This is her composition that is played by many finger style guitarists...she owns it! Very talented lady! Note the guitar is actually stringed for right hand player. She is actually playing the base string with her index finger & the melody with her thumb...completely opposite to convention and that's quite a feat!
One of the first songs I ever learned fingerpicking on the guitar back in 1973
With a style all her own, a true gem. Thanks for posting this treasure.
I love this stuff. I like finding new music that I havent heard and you tube does have a wealth of it. Thanks for the ppst
"Grandmother Hendrix" played like Jimi because they were lefties and played guitars for righties.
Such a beautiful song/performance. I'm crying.
Just heard this via Midnite Mike. Brings tears to my eyes. Beautiful artist beautiful song.
+tresojos Same here !
+express49 same here!
+tresojos express49 Tito Martino why does it the same for me ? :)
She is unique! Plays the guitar beautifully-
My dad would sing this to me and pick it on guitar. Makes me cry, too.
Beautiful. I love this woman. What an inspiration.
I got to play Libba Cotton's guitar once as I know her manager.
Ah...Good old fashioned American Folks Music!
You can clearly see where Mark Knopfler got his style. Close your eyes and listen and you'll clearly hear Knopfler's style in her playing. This is truly legendary stuff. Beautiful all the way around.
Thanks for uploading this. Good to know there are still discoveries to be made.
Such a gift to have these original recordings... especially since some of the 'greats' have recorded this particular song --- Joan Baez, Chet Atkins, Lenny Breau, Hank Williams, Mississippi John Hurt and many others!!! Such a gift!
Good recording. That in itself is amazing. She was living music history. Thank you for posting.
COUNTLESS artists have recorded this song-she is nothing short of amazing!
This made me weep. So beautiful.
She's a hell of a gal I love it
Pure gift... pure talent...
this song takes me back to the days wheni i was a kid and my babcia would sing this to me :) i cry everytime i hear this song but the memories it gave me are some of the best in my life
Nothing but love!!!
R.I.P best song
That was GLORIOUS!
How beautiful the singing and the pickin' ..the first guitar heroine.
Thanks for sharing this little treasure.
I love the way her face says "yes, it sounds right".
That bend. 😍
I believe Elizabeth 'Libba' Cotten, who was a house maid for the Seeger family wrote 'Freight Train' when she was about 12yrs old. This clip was recorded when she was in her 80's or thereabouts. Her guitar is strung right-handed, and she plays left-handed, with the guitar 'upside down'. That isn't easy for anyone. This lady should be revered as a US national treasure, and in my mind is beyond criticism. Claudia you know nothing.
Amazing! And the fact she plays upside down, even better
Just lovely !
The more unique the better! love stuff like this!
And to think, she is playing the guitar upside down.
She is an amazing woman!
What a beautiful video. Salute!
Flipping it southpaw. What a treasure. 💘
I'm a rockabilly hepcat, used to strong voices. This Lady is amazing.