Elizabeth Cotten (1893-1987) inspired every fledgling fingerpicker of the 'folk boom' era with her classic Freight Train. But the notion that this North Carolina-born legend was a one-tune wonder is dispelled by her charming demonstration of several styles in this informal performance/interview taped when Cotten was 85 years old. There was more to Libba Cotten than the novelty of her 'upside down' approach to guitar or her most famous song. She continued to make up new tunes even in her eighties as well as recall old ones from her turn-of-the-century girlhood.

Ragtime, blues, three guitar tunings and pre-blues banjo tunes are offered by Cotten. Recollections of her life and music are prompted by interviewer Mike Seeger, who played a major role in recording Cotten's repertoire. Close-ups of Cotten's remarkably youthful hands show the nuances of her unique 'Cotten picking' style, and there's inspiration for guitarists and non-guitarists alike in the dignity and assurance of a very poised octogenarian who never tired of sharing her balanced sense of musicality and humanity.

Titles include: Freight Train, Wilson Rag, Georgia Buck, Rattler, Spanish Flang Dang, Judy's Got a Rambling Mind, Mama, Your Son's Done Gone, Wreck of the Old 97, Jesus Is Tenderly Calling Today, Vestapol, Buck Dance, Oh, Babe, It Ain't No Lie, Ontario Blues, Mama, Where's the Baby and others.

Available on DVD

vestapol 13019   no longer available on VHS