Folk Songs and Instrumentals with Guitar by Elizabeth Cotten
 

This is a discussion thread for the following album:


This album won a recent selection poll of http://www.musicbanter.com/country-f...lbum-club.html - but of course everyone is welcome to join in the debate. :)

So, anyone have an opinion they want to share ?

If you have ever listened to Doc Watson, John Fahey or the Carolina Chocolate Drops, to mention just three artists envolved in the folk-blues revival that took off in the 1960's, then you really owe it to yourself to listen to this Elizabeth Cotten album. Instead of revival, this is folk-blues survival; the genuine article from someone who actually spent most of her life as a domestic maid, but has still managed to pass on her musical ideas for other acts (see above) to build from - which I now notice is pretty much what JackPat said rather more concisely.
This is a pretty low-fi album with nice guitarwork and although Elizabeth`s voice isn`t technically strong, who can find it in their hearts to criticise such a charming, venerable woman as this ? It`d be like complaining about your Grandma`s hot cocoa :-

http://slipcue.com/music/blues/aa_bl..._1983_live.gif

It is beyond words for me to explain what it means to me to see such a gentle soul possess such an incredible and nature talent when it comes to playing guitar.

Freight train is a personal favorite of mine. I wish there were videos of her in her younger days to be honest; though the singing in her twilight years adds a unique feel to the vocals.