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.
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❤
I love CZcams! 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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 .
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.
Toca feito Canhoto da ParaÍba : por ser canhoto, tocava com o violão invertido, mas sem inverter as cordas, pois precisava compartilhar o mesmo violão com seus irmãos, destros.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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
Okay.....Sorry to say, because I love Bobby Dylan a lot. I play his songs on the streets in Berlin-Neukölln in my neighborhood....but this marvelous woman - he could still take LESSONS from her - improving his fingerpicking style. Much love and respect for her. I learned "Freight Train" from her a couple of years ago. Thank you Miss Cotten.
Look carefully at this; Ms. Cotton is playing that guitar left-handed and the guitar is still strung for a right-handed player! Reversed and made-up chords with fingering all made-up too!
+Philadelphias FavoriteSon Ha! Sorry - the comment was for guitar nerds only. I've been playing this style of guitar for 50 years, but not upside down!!!
Just wonderful. I could listen to this forever. It's 1:43 a.m. here in Malaysia, and I'm just now discovering Elizabeth Cotten. She can play guitar. My goodness, she can play. Can't sing, though. Still, her singing kinda grows on you, and after a bit, it seems just right with the guitar. That guitar, though. She just moves it right along, and the song goes deep inside you.
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.
![[Vol.4] Best Lounge Jazz Instruments Music | Mood | Smooth | Slow Jazz](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/U5MXt55by3E/mqdefault.jpg)
![Elizabeth Cotton - live [Colourised] 1965](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/q-OJsy3Z6r8/mqdefault.jpg)
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...
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❤
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!
National treasure...rare gem of a human being.
Ññ
You said it perfectly.
no man...thats natural talen t and it aint personal
she's so beautiful in every way
I love CZcams! 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
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.
Where has this WOMAN been all my musical life 🍃
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.
This woman was a genius! ❤️
I cant even play my guitar up the right way anything like this... lovely
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.
You are simply FANTASTIC, Ms. Cotten!! Thank you. God bless you.
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
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.."
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
OMG!!! how beautiful!!! I don't why this lady draws so much emotion out of me....
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 .
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.
Got what a badass player, and yet so sweet and soft-spoken. LEGEND
Ms. Cotten, you're a joy! Such a natural.
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❤🫶💙
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"
One of the wonders of the world..... xxx
Great stuff by a very talented lady.
Somebody send help; it's 1:30 am and instead of sleeping I can't stop listening to Libba Cotten!
@Ross Rain You as well!
The best we can do....this...listening to her....
Me too!!! I stayed up all night literally until 7 am!!! It’s addicting!!!!
In the same boat... I need to work very soon..
THIS GAL CAN PLAY A GUITAR..HER FRET WORKING IS AMAZING R.I.P. ELISABETH COTTON 😊☮️❤️☯️ A BEAUTIFULL SOUL...!!
She is simply jaw dropping 🧡 Thanks for posting this.
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.
It's amazing how she plays the strings in reverse order!
I love blues!
STRINGS OF SOUL.
Two beautiful songs.Thank you Elizabeth Cotten.
Music, every note from the heart
Yup. It is upside down and backwards! She is that awesome!
Kinda makes me emotional
'cause its called the real Blues, my friend.
I cried
I could listen to this over and over again
Elizabeth Cotten one of The Essentials
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.
She was amazing...I am happy I got to see her back in the 1980's. Totally blown away by how she plays...always was. Thanks for posting this.
This is real treasure!!!
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.
Just love listening to her!
That Lady got the blues!
flawless in every way
This is so touching & heartfelt. Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!
Que timbre lindo! Meu coração derrete; minha alma chora! Grande solista! Saudosa heroína!
Toca feito Canhoto da ParaÍba : por ser canhoto, tocava com o violão invertido, mas sem inverter as cordas, pois precisava compartilhar o mesmo violão com seus irmãos, destros.
Amazing original talent!
Hot damn she got the blues real bad! Absolutely perfect 👌 ❤
This guitar touch my heart!
I play this way and she is perfect. I wish she was my grandma. Even though I'm white!
Beautiful!
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
Back here again to listen and watch Mrs Cotton play just 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.
Make's me warm and cozy ! thanks'
Saw in person, she was terrific, thanks for the upload.
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.
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.
I love her
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'm so glad to see this and learn of Elizabeth Cotten, truly amazing, thank you!
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!
Loved seeing this ... love you, Libba
She is amazing!!!!!!!!!! Love from Brazil.
So many layers to her style! It's like she's accompanying herself on bass with the low tones.
I am stunned.
This is so beautiful.
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!
Incredible footage, all I had ever heard by her before was Vastapol
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.
Truely wonderful she was bless with some great skills
Love how this lady plays guitar isn't she beautiful such a sweetie pie
great musician
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!
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
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.
from t.a.awua to Elizabeth Cotton music,excellent music to listen to.thank u.
I have adored this woman for years. She is totally amazing. Thank you forever Ms Cotten. 💖
This Lady is truely amazing!
Amazing......
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 is lovely.
She's playing so intricately. She's astounding.
Love this lady. She is so like my beloved grandmother. Beautiful ♥️🙏
absolute precious treasure
I just love this woman
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
Beautiful love
She's a wonderful player. Its hard to believe shes playing with her guitar upside down! I've never seen that done before!
amazing just amazing . no tik tok no social media influencer , just a humble massive talent too bad that world is gone
Okay.....Sorry to say, because I love Bobby Dylan a lot. I play his songs on the streets in Berlin-Neukölln in my neighborhood....but this marvelous woman - he could still take LESSONS from her - improving his fingerpicking style. Much love and respect for her. I learned "Freight Train" from her a couple of years ago. Thank you Miss Cotten.
She played that way because she "borrowed" her brothers guitar when he was out of the house, and she was left handed.
this lady playing always brings me tears. tears of joy
She is one hell of a guitarist and musician.
Look carefully at this; Ms. Cotton is playing that guitar left-handed and the guitar is still strung for a right-handed player! Reversed and made-up chords with fingering all made-up too!
+Philadelphias FavoriteSon I play this way too and have since I was 15. I've learnt a lot from these films of Elizabeth.
+Mark Hofreiter
I just noticed that too...had to do a double take...very cool.
+Mark Hofreiter Yeah she's alternating the bass with her index finger and playing the melody with her thumb!! Jawdropping.
+Philadelphias FavoriteSon Ha! Sorry - the comment was for guitar nerds only. I've been playing this style of guitar for 50 years, but not upside down!!!
FUUUCKKKK!!! I was trying to work out something!!!
No matter where I am, how old I am or whatever rubbish is going on in my life, Elizabeth is there for me
Just wonderful. I could listen to this forever. It's 1:43 a.m. here in Malaysia, and I'm just now discovering Elizabeth Cotten. She can play guitar. My goodness, she can play. Can't sing, though. Still, her singing kinda grows on you, and after a bit, it seems just right with the guitar. That guitar, though. She just moves it right along, and the song goes deep inside you.
BRAVO !!! Wonderful
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.