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Live!

Elizabeth Cotten
Live!

Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten (1893–1987) was an American original. A self-taught musician, Cotten learned to play the guitar left-handed, but she retained the string arrangement for a right-handed player. She is perhaps best known for her song “Freight Train,” which she wrote as a teenager. Cotten did not pursue a music career as an adult, rather supporting herself and family as a domestic. She took up music again while working in the home of folklorist and musicologist Charles Seeger, where she relearned to play the guitar. Home recordings made by Seeger’s son Mike introduced Cotten and her music to the world. She toured with Mike, appearing at the Newport Folk Festival and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. This collection, her only live recording, was also her last. In 1984, it won the Grammy for Best Ethnic or Traditional Recording.

Track Listing

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101
Freight Train Elizabeth Cotten 04:55
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102
Washington Blues Elizabeth Cotten 04:36
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103
Jumpin' Jack Elizabeth Cotten 03:29
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104
Shake Sugaree Elizabeth Cotten 04:28
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105
Shake Sugaree / Banjo Story, Rattler Elizabeth Cotten 05:23
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106
Vastopol Elizabeth Cotten 04:51
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107
Guitar Story Elizabeth Cotten 04:19
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108
Oh Babe, It Ain't No Lie Elizabeth Cotten 07:13
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109
Elizabeth Story, et al. / Honey Babe, Your Papa Cares For You Elizabeth Cotten 07:56
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110
Spanish Flangdang Elizabeth Cotten 02:44
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111
'Til We Meet Again Elizabeth Cotten 01:23