Customer Reviews

Freight Train And Other North Carolina Folk Songs and Tunes

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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When I first heard this CD I was astounded not just by the
technical ability of Libba Cotten, but also by the sheer
spiritual feeling she gives to the songs. She also plays really
gently, never overemphasising anything.

These phenomenal songs were recorded by Mike Seeger in Elizabeth Cotten's bedroom. Elizabeth Cotten had stopped playing guitar for over twenty years when the Seeger family "discovered" her (she was working as their maid!)

Cotten's completely "by ear" playing is among the most subtle and harmonically nuanced in "roots folk music". Strangely, she does not get anywhere near the attention of Mississipi John Hurt, though she is a far better and more interesting guitar player (this is not to knock John Hurt, who is also great.)

Cotten was able to pick up everything from blues, to ragtime, to the UNC "graduation march" just by listening. At risk of sounding cliched, I believe she was a genius who was never fully able to realize her potential. But at least we have these wonderful songs to give us a sense of it.

What can I say? Elizabeth Cotten was one of the best guitar players of all time and almost no one knows about her.I have enormous respect for all the great guitarists from all genres of modern music and to my ears no one comes close,except maybe Mississippi John Hurt, to her fluid and gentle approach to the guitar.Even the great John Fahey was in awe of her natural talent on their shared instrument.
And to think this was recorded in her bedroom instead of a studio gives this disc a refreshing sound,just like she was sitting on her bed and playing just for you.Great just to listen to and essential to anyone who is a fan of acoustic guitar playing at its finest.
Freight Train is not just a classic song but it sounds like it has always been here like the mountains and the sky.There are stories of the Grateful Dead whenever they were passing through the area she lived in always making it an essential stop to visit her to talk and play with this mostly unknown treasure.I love this disc and everything about it.Essential and highly recommended.

A simple but distinctive picking style. Great singing. Music imbued with the blues.

Elizabeth Cotten is a must for everyone. When listening to the recording one feels as if she was playing in the same room with you. Ms. Cotten has an amazing ability to keep one listening and always wanting more.

Just buy this CD. You will love it, guaranteed. Even my punk-rock friends who don't like folk and/or ballads love this Elizabeth Cotten CD. Check out Shake Sugaree too.

There is something about these North Carolina style guitar pickers that is very appealing. And here I am thinking not only of the artist under review, the legendary Elizabeth Cotton, but also another female picker extraordinaire Etta Baker, as well. It is different from the Delta pick, for sure. They pick cleanly, simply but with verve. Ms. Cotton shows here stuff here on her first album from Folkways. Here we have the classic, no super-classic, Freight Train that was a rite of passage for every one from Peter, Paul and Mary to Dave Van Ronk to Tom Rush to record in the early 1960's. Along with that tune we have some nice renditions of I Don't Love Nobody and a few medleys like Sweet Bye and Bye combined with What A Friend You Have in Jesus (that I believe Blind Willie Johnson first recorded or variation it at least). Listen away but also save your money up to get the album with Shake Sugaree (get the one with her granddaughter singing along). on it. That's the ticket

Elizabeth Cotten is one of those great musicians who never get the recognition they deserve. What a good thing that Mike Seeger encouraged her to start playing again. Her style is lively, yet gentle at the same time. Two of my favorite songs from this CD are "Vastopol" and "Spanish Flang Dang". The sound reminds me of some of John Fahey's songs. This is a great collection.

This collection of tunes and songs from Elisabeth Cotton is wonderful for the opportunity to have several of her writings and playing togehter in one package.

Cotten's unique guitar style and marvelous sense of "country blues" are captured in these songs. Of course, Freight Train is the most recognizable of the tracks, but all are great reminders of her talent and contributions to folk music.