I was lucky enough to se her circa 1975; she was a wonderful lady and a great player. One thing I will say, which is important, and which people never comment on - what makes her unique is her gentle and insinuating swing; I have heard no other guitarist who sounded like here and, truly, no white guitarist of that generation - or really even afterward - had her amazing time, the way the rhythm ebbed and flowed. I am happy to write the liners.....
Fahey shamelessly incorporated her phrasing and 'gentle swing' into much of his playing. You can hear it plainly in his earlier stuff. As far as I know, he never acknowledged how much he owed her. :)
I think it is a huge great big enormous ABOUT TIME that Libba and people like her get their just due. She was a lovely, gentle person ... motherly and kind. Memories that have lasted me all my life.
Thanks so much for your comment, Peggy. We could not agree more that it is about time. Should you have any interest in wanting to talk to us more about your experiences with Libba, we would love to have a conversation with you. Our email address is, info@dust-digital.com. Best wishes.
I met her a long time ago and got a signed LP for a dear older friend who played guitar behind her husband's fiddle. She found out I played Freight Train, and well I even played it at her funeral. She loved that album and loved Ms. Cotten's music.
I am very grateful to Dust to Digital for bringing me Elizabeth Cotten. I never heard of her before and now I will listen to as much of her lyrical playing as I can. Thank you.
I believe we do not find success we stumble into it. She will always be remembered and her story will be told for generations! I am thankful the Seegers gave her that opportunity!
We’re lucky to know her music! A clear refutation of music discovery gatekeepers and the banal and absurd notion of ageism. May many more talents make their first album after 50!
I had the opportunity to sit and talk with Elizabeth before her very last public concert. It was in Syracuse, NY where she was living. There is now an Elizabeth Cotten Memorial Park in the city with a life sized bronze statue of her playing her guitar. I pass by it several times a year.
Great piece! I’m the artist who painted the EC mural if you feel like tagging me. Part of a much larger series of murals honoring NC born musicians. @ncmusicianmurals
I was fortunate to see her perform for the Washington Folklore Society ca. 1965. Thanks for highlighting her. But a small correction: if she started working for the Seeger Family in 1952, she would have been 59 then.
I was lucky enough to se her circa 1975; she was a wonderful lady and a great player. One thing I will say, which is important, and which people never comment on - what makes her unique is her gentle and insinuating swing; I have heard no other guitarist who sounded like here and, truly, no white guitarist of that generation - or really even afterward - had her amazing time, the way the rhythm ebbed and flowed. I am happy to write the liners.....
Fahey shamelessly incorporated her phrasing and 'gentle swing' into much of his playing. You can hear it plainly in his earlier stuff. As far as I know, he never acknowledged how much he owed her. :)
interesting; though I have to say he didn't have her amazing lilt.
Right, he was different. Much less optimistic. But he took Cotton into his technique as much as he did Patton and Sam McGee.
Artist credit for the mural is Scott Nurkin
Thanks, Bob!
I think it is a huge great big enormous ABOUT TIME that Libba and people like her get their just due. She was a lovely, gentle person ... motherly and kind. Memories that have lasted me all my life.
Thanks so much for your comment, Peggy. We could not agree more that it is about time. Should you have any interest in wanting to talk to us more about your experiences with Libba, we would love to have a conversation with you. Our email address is, info@dust-digital.com. Best wishes.
I met her a long time ago and got a signed LP for a dear older friend who played guitar behind her husband's fiddle. She found out I played Freight Train, and well I even played it at her funeral. She loved that album and loved Ms. Cotten's music.
I am very grateful to Dust to Digital for bringing me Elizabeth Cotten. I never heard of her before and now I will listen to as much of her lyrical playing as I can. Thank you.
That's great!
Good stuff!
I believe we do not find success we stumble into it. She will always be remembered and her story will be told for generations! I am thankful the Seegers gave her that opportunity!
We’re lucky to know her music! A clear refutation of music discovery gatekeepers and the banal and absurd notion of ageism. May many more talents make their first album after 50!
Fantastic,many thanks for this
I had the opportunity to sit and talk with Elizabeth before her very last public concert. It was in Syracuse, NY where she was living. There is now an Elizabeth Cotten Memorial Park in the city with a life sized bronze statue of her playing her guitar. I pass by it several times a year.
She was the epitome of humility and grace.
Wow, I didn't know about the statue of her. Wonderful!
Great piece! I’m the artist who painted the EC mural if you feel like tagging me. Part of a much larger series of murals honoring NC born musicians. @ncmusicianmurals
Thank you, Scott. We added you to the caption -- beautiful work! What a great project too, I enjoyed checking the IG account.
I was fortunate to see her perform for the Washington Folklore Society ca. 1965. Thanks for highlighting her. But a small correction: if she started working for the Seeger Family in 1952, she would have been 59 then.
Sorry! I now see that the 16 year old was PEGGY!