Libba the Magnificent: The Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotten

Libba: The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotten

by Gunjan Bagla

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	12399 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	48 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Elizabeth Cotten, also known as Libba Cotten, was an American folk singer and guitarist. She was best known for her songs "Freight Train" and "Shake Sugaree," which have been covered by numerous artists over the years.

Cotten was born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 1893. She was the youngest of nine children, and her family was very poor. Cotten began playing guitar at the age of 11, and she wrote her first song, "Freight Train," at the age of 15.

Cotten's music was influenced by the blues and folk music of her childhood. She often sang about the everyday experiences of working-class people, and her songs were often full of humor and warmth.

Cotten performed at folk festivals and concerts throughout the United States and Europe, and her music was praised for its simplicity, honesty, and humor. She was a major influence on the folk revival of the 1950s and 1960s, and her songs have been covered by artists such as Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and the Grateful Dead.

Cotten died in 1987, but her music continues to be enjoyed by people all over the world. She is remembered as one of the most important and influential folk musicians of the 20th century.

Early Life and Musical Influences

Elizabeth Cotten was born on January 25, 1893, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Her father was a sharecropper, and her mother was a midwife. Cotten's family was very poor, and she often had to work to help support her family.

Cotten began playing guitar at the age of 11. She learned to play by watching her brothers and sisters, and she quickly developed a natural talent for the instrument. Cotten's music was influenced by the blues and folk music of her childhood. She often sang about the everyday experiences of working-class people, and her songs were often full of humor and warmth.

Career

Cotten began performing at local events in her early 20s. In the 1940s, she moved to New York City, where she began performing at folk clubs and coffeehouses. Cotten's music was well-received by audiences, and she quickly gained a following.

In the 1950s, Cotten's music was rediscovered by a new generation of folk enthusiasts. She began performing at folk festivals and concerts throughout the United States and Europe, and her music was praised for its simplicity, honesty, and humor. Cotten was a major influence on the folk revival of the 1950s and 1960s, and her songs have been covered by artists such as Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, and the Grateful Dead.

Later Life and Death

Cotten continued to perform and record music until the late 1970s. She died on October 29, 1987, at the age of 94.

Legacy

Elizabeth Cotten is remembered as one of the most important and influential folk musicians of the 20th century. Her songs are still performed and enjoyed by people all over the world. Cotten's music is a testament to the power of the human spirit, and her songs continue to inspire and uplift people today.

Here are some of Elizabeth Cotten's most famous songs:

• "Freight Train"
• "Shake Sugaree"
• "Oh Babe, It Ain't No Lie"
• "Going Down the Road Feeling Bad
• "I've Got a Mind to Ramble"

Elizabeth Cotten's music continues to be enjoyed by people all over the world. She is a true American folk legend, and her songs will continue to inspire and uplift people for generations to come.

Libba: The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotten

by Gunjan Bagla

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	12399 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	48 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE