"Washington Blues" and "I'm Going Away" by Elizabeth Cotten (1965)

[@germainemaxwell4530]

I am sitting at my computer watching & listening to this with my mouth open, a sight no one should see without medical supervision. This lady has no gimmicks no flash just pure musical genius .If I had a wish it would be to play alongside her on my African drums I love her work MAGIC FINGERS MAXWELL

[@roberttyran3813]

Me Too!! Bob.

[@offgridcabin1557]

I'm going to try and not be stupid here but, What are African Drums and how do they differ from regular drums? Are they kinda like Bongo's? What is the sound difference when playing with a folksy guitar Like Elizabeth played? Thanks for answering.

[@robotapartments]

Is MAGIC FINGERS MAXWELL your pornstar name? Doesn't matter, no one has heard of you.

[@watzinaname7325]

when i read your comment... i realized my mouth was in that same state....beyond incredible...

[@skywarriorbraxton]

Amazing I am in LOVE❤❤!

[@MrOhjok]

National treasure...rare gem of a human being.

[@pabloalvarez3132]

Ññ

[@theesweetscience2084]

You said it perfectly.

[@haggishead7558]

no man...thats natural talen t and it aint personal

[@cultofgiovanni]

National treasure indeed. Her guitar is in the Smithsonian.

[@BrendaCharity]

I Love This Music. She is playing "Rag Time" style. Ms. Cotten is fantastic. I heard of her until May 7, 2023. I am 80 years young!!! I Love Her!

[@johnwaynesasser]

One of my favorite guitar players. The way she holds and plays the guitar reminds me of Bradbury quoting Jiménez: "If they give you lined paper, write the other way."

[@marcosmza1962]

+John Sasser That quote is Juan Ramon Gimenez own ;)

[@MoonAlongMyHead]

+marcosmza1962 What you say is true, thanks for clarifying! Bradbury was merely quoting Jimenez. :D

[@marcosmza1962]

Moon Along My Head ;)

[@thenormalyears]

she was left handed not trying to be different

[@johnwaynesasser]

I realize that. However, she was different because she didn't restring the guitar when she flipped it over, as most left-handers do. She left the bass line on the bottom.

[@Roestradd]

This makes the money I pay for my Internet subscription worth it!

[@Ely23M96]

agree

[@Roestradd]

You're a wise woman Elisa!

[@chuckHart70]

Amen sir!

[@justjoshin2825]

She has more soul in her pinkie than the cacophony of today's music .. combined!

[@greyladydown1]

I love KZbin! So many old bluesers on here and so many lovely ladies, I keep finding these bona fide performers, gemstones in their own right who have had so little publicity. Power to all these girls/ladies/women with their own inimitable styles, stories to tell and inspire. There are many of us who would never have known about them other than for those who loved them, hugged their performances to themselves and then shared what they loved with others. Many thanks.

[@Sputnik34]

what an incredibly wholesome comment

[@dylanhoka]

she's so beautiful in every way

[@SaintsPurgatory]

She started playing her brother's banjo before she picked up the guitar. At 7 years old she was picking the banjo, yea she was left handed and of course not having any lefty instruments she taught herself to play a righty and the rest is history. When she was 11 she picked up her brother's guitar to teach herself once again and then wrote Freight Train on her very own first guitar when she was barely a teenager. To say she was a National Treasure is very true and yet it isn't enough to describe how incredibly important Elizabeth Cotten was to music. She was amazing and left an indelible mark for all eternity. So, whoever left the dislikes on this, just know that you are not in any way diminishing Elizabeth Cotten's impact on history. Also, before I forget to mention, it does make you (your very selves) look completely pathetic and that is a very ugly and nasty stain on your character's souls. I thank the heavens every day that I'm not like you and that most of humanity is nothing like you either.

[@sarahposey7166]

Thank you for speaking, it may only be a troll, but thank you again for speaking truth as bout integrity and soul.

[@er44000]

Well it may have been a case of “mistaken dislike” like a cat going over the keyboard sort of thing or baby making a mess on the thumbs down button for which the paper towel cleaning it up inadvertently disliked the video……….which I’m hoping for 😆😂

[@49Connie]

She's amazing!

[@BTURNER1961]

Wow. Why the hate? I can admire it, and appreciate her as a legend, but I did not really enjoy this performance. Somehow I doubt Elizabeth Cotton would read nearly as much into those 'dislikes' as you do. I suspect she would decide that some folks just don't like her kind of music . It does not make them 'pathetic' or represent an ugly stain on their character. It means they have different tastes in music than the others who watched this do, and they decided to use a feature provided by the site to express it. Not a big deal here.

[@kennethhiggs3877]

I love music..as long as it's played well..genres, fads, unimportant..l love Bach, Handel, Elizabeth Cotton, Chet Atkins, James Burton..old Bavarian saying:"If only the sweetest voiced birds sang..the forest would be very quiet.."

[@jartocjanror6591]

Her phrasing & tones are absolutely unrivaled. What a wonderful, blessed & beautiful Woman here. Time and time again this video has saved me in a special way.

[@bessiebraveheart]

Hello from England, this Lady is one beautiful Soul, and I could listen to her beautiful music to humanity forever.

[@lailawatson9861]

Hello .. Kia Ora bessiebraveheart from New Zealand 💙🫶❤️Aotearoa❤🫶💙

[@ligonperkins4363]

Where has this WOMAN been all my musical life 🍃

[@loveladyrichardson7395]

You are simply FANTASTIC, Ms. Cotten!! Thank you. God bless you.

[@prodbobbyoddsock]

Music like this makes life worth living!

[@themaggattack]

She's so lovely and smooth. In the second song when she said "see I'm playing this in ragtime style" I was so proud of myself for already recognizing that from the first song. Lol. Jazz History is the best class I've ever taken. I deeply love what I'm learning and all the treasures it's leading me to like Elizabeth Cotten.

[@bluefood]

She definitely had that whole Scott Joplin progression going on there.

[@brucekuehn4031]

Support music education at all levels

[@popeyepaul1jazzy543]

I cant even play my guitar up the right way anything like this... lovely

[@d.beaumont9157]

Elizabeth is the epitome of cool. So smooth, the notes just float out of that guitar.

[@ccaissie113]

Best ad for Martin guitars...looks like a 30's 000...Vince Gill wants it.

[@johnbedggood5911]

the most unique fingerpicking ive ever seen! What a a great surprise that theres a live version of such an old classic

[@less2worryabout]

Still? I thought I was doing something.

[@kathrynphipps2529]

I always picked with my right hand like she did with her left. it just came natural. I tried to strum the way you’re supposed to, but it just didn’t feel right. Everybody told me I did it wrong. I finally quit playing the guitar. I bet she could’ve told some stories I would’ve loved to of heard them .

[@hilkom2]

Got what a badass player, and yet so sweet and soft-spoken. LEGEND

[@teddy1066]

You can tell she grew up in North Carolina by her guitar style. It’s got that Piedmont blues feel with a scoop of rag. Beautiful and timeless.

[@merewynyard5813]

This lady was one of the first musicians to appear on my phone, when I got the internet in 2020...I had never heard of her..I put her out there anyway..she's AMAZING❤

[@jartocjanror6591]

Washington Blues is the perfect tune ! It enters my mind and brings a smile to my heart and soul. Thank you Ms. Cotten you are an inspiration.

[@cathylopez1345]

OMG!!! how beautiful!!! I don't why this lady draws so much emotion out of me....

[@waleri0103]

I never heard of her until today and I've listened to 4 of her songs and looking for more. What an amazing talented woman.

[@sloanchessman5783]

This woman was a genius! ❤️

[@EastBayNaytiv]

Ms. Cotten, you're a joy! Such a natural.

[@marianblair1262]

I have adored this woman for years. She is totally amazing. Thank you forever Ms Cotten. 💖

[@robertaleaxanderpayne816]

A natural gift of God. A beautiful pure soul.

[@davidjohnson-fo7ze]

A gift SHE worked her ass off to accomplish. If it had been a gift from god she would have picked up the guitar and started playing like this from day one.

[@jellyrollmorton2051]

@@davidjohnson-fo7ze SHE is the gift to us, not her skills to her.

[@sharonstone8245]

Love this lady. She is so like my beloved grandmother. Beautiful ♥️🙏

[@MrILoveMyHonda]

I could listen to this over and over again

[@adilsonferreiramartins4963]

Que timbre lindo! Meu coração derrete; minha alma chora! Grande solista! Saudosa heroína!

[@Zumbi2405]

Toca feito Canhoto da ParaÍba : por ser canhoto, tocava com o violão invertido, mas sem inverter as cordas, pois precisava compartilhar o mesmo violão com seus irmãos, destros.

[@MrMobo41]

The scott Joplin of the guitar. Love this woman and her music!

[@saintblith]

it was the same first time i heard Joplin , you find that strong feeling of "This is Something, this is really something"

[@wouldntyou_like_to_know]

Whatever her Ragtime influences of the late 1800s, they sure shine through her unique, self-taught style. :)

[@nancynewman1465]

Back here again to listen and watch Mrs Cotton play just amazing ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@StandardChunk]

Somebody send help; it's 1:30 am and instead of sleeping I can't stop listening to Libba Cotten!

[@StandardChunk]

@Ross Rain You as well!

[@martanemeth4038]

The best we can do....this...listening to her....

[@glendabillingsley6996]

Me too!!! I stayed up all night literally until 7 am!!! It’s addicting!!!!

[@azorthegreat2112]

In the same boat... I need to work very soon..

[@aleyasakearl1461]

Same…

[@stevenmiles]

I just discovered her, WOW! Great broken heart song. She is one of two guitarist I know of that play both left hand and reverse strings.

[@cliffordmorris6091]

This lady is brilliant . She is so skilled and dexterous at her age.

[@bavlen]

Great stuff by a very talented lady.

[@oneidawolf776]

A lefty like me! man what a special lady! Rest in peace Elizabeth!

[@venomdust1]

Her and sister Rosetta Tharpe are my late findings in life. Much respect

[@burgburg6093]

me too! I was suprised how little known they are, based on their influence on modern music o.O

[@pierrotjetaime]

Incredible !!! What a Talent !!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing !! I love u Elizabeth !!! Je t'aime

[@ghanalarteh3872]

Two beautiful songs.Thank you Elizabeth Cotten.

[@ronlondres]

She is amazing!!!!!!!!!! Love from Brazil.

[@cuteguy9358]

This is so touching & heartfelt. Awesome! Awesome! Awesome!

[@billieshelton2533]

It's amazing how she plays the strings in reverse order! I love blues!

[@rickcurtis2983]

I'm so glad to see this and learn of Elizabeth Cotten, truly amazing, thank you!

[@justjay926]

She is simply jaw dropping 🧡 Thanks for posting this.

[@barbarafritchie2000]

Elizabeth Cotten was and still is so awesome.

[@abeautifulsite]

Beautiful ! Pure soul music!

[@RickDanner]

amazing just amazing . no tik tok no social media influencer , just a humble massive talent too bad that world is gone

[@mojoshiva]

She was amazing...I am happy I got to see her back in the 1980's. Totally blown away by how she plays...always was. Thanks for posting this.

[@miggiek]

Why aren't there a million hits on this?

[@rabokarabekian409]

cuz Earth has about 7.6 billion idiots who just buy whatver is being sold

[@e.b.4872]

Sadly only a few can enjoy classics in music nowdays... All the old public died or is dying letting a few of us able to enjoy treasures like this until it just vanishes with years...

[@christopherleblanc7458]

Because the music industry.

[@peggyseeger7363]

Loved seeing this ... love you, Libba

[@saintblith]

i thought its only me that thinks this song, all her songs, are something intensely the best , i see everyone says the same, thats where you find out theres things in world that really has something inside and every being would be able to feel it, 'cause its strong....Music is strong.

[@brickbeefcake939]

When I started off on music, this lady was among the top of guitar players I wished to emulate. Now I make my own fingerpicking music and it's my own. I have her to thank for that.

[@margaretmooney8031]

I think she taught Peggy Seeger her way of playing!

[@chrisfarrugia5397]

One of the wonders of the world..... xxx

[@emoryking5278]

Music, every note from the heart

[@kevinwhitaker119]

THIS GAL CAN PLAY A GUITAR..HER FRET WORKING IS AMAZING R.I.P. ELISABETH COTTON 😊☮️❤️☯️ A BEAUTIFULL SOUL...!!

[@renangraziano4025]

this lady playing always brings me tears. tears of joy

[@harmono8766]

If you play guitar this a jaw dropping performance. She can independently pick the bass and melody and chords at the same time. Not only that, but she's playing a right handed guitar left handed, and plucking the bass with her fingers instead of the thumb. The pick guard would be below the hole if this were a left handed guitar.

[@josephcaldwell2822]

flawless in every way

[@budsanor5600]

Just love listening to her!

[@sgnMark]

Kinda makes me emotional

[@saintblith]

'cause its called the real Blues, my friend.

[@sting5956]

I cried

[@dalecrowe7757]

So many layers to her style! It's like she's accompanying herself on bass with the low tones.

[@kingdavid1265]

Hot damn she got the blues real bad! Absolutely perfect 👌 ❤

[@shmuelpapirnikov1168]

STRINGS OF SOUL.

[@theesweetscience2084]

I am stunned.

[@mimicrystal7762]

Beautiful!

[@panamintjoe]

Saw in person, she was terrific, thanks for the upload.

[@jonasjar]

At last! thanks a ton! You just made the world a better place to live! I bow to you!

[@cariboubill]

Amazing original talent!

[@LuvBlues64]

This is real treasure!!!

[@creewarrior2006]

She is awesome....

[@gospmusluver]

She looks 100 here. Really??

[@mabudia4177]

+Buttermilk2015 Awesome as a guitar player.. or if he meant what you were thinking, then he must be 105 :D

[@fredk9999]

Thank you, mam. Prefer the songs of hers with vocal. What a gem!

[@crithoskins]

Yup. It is upside down and backwards! She is that awesome!

[@alanraines2991]

She's awesome and someone we should ALL look up to.

[@nancynewman1465]

Love how this lady plays guitar isn't she beautiful such a sweetie pie

[@blashpemer666]

This is so beautiful.

[@GaryLeventhal]

Make's me warm and cozy ! thanks'

[@ghanalarteh3872]

from t.a.awua to Elizabeth Cotton music,excellent music to listen to.thank u.

[@marcosmza1962]

Elizabeth Cotten one of The Essentials

[@sandracreighton9049]

surley her gift is from God ,so deep in feeling marvelous guitar playing

[@sandracreighton9049]

I had a vision from the LORD , THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD I AM COMEING THE LORDS WORD OF TRUTH WAS WRITTEN ON MY FOREHEAD , I THEREFORE MUST SAY,THAT WHEN ST PAUL WRITES HE IS WRITTING THE LORDS COMMAND ,

[@Benneyiy]

I play this way and she is perfect. I wish she was my grandma. Even though I'm white!

[@Phillip-hv4dw]

Elizabeth Cotten… wow… she’s got a real Mance Lipscomb-style fingerpickin love it! Good Happy Blues

[@jasonpowell2585]

She's one hell of a guitar playing man I love finger-picking myself but she brings it to a different level I like that

[@roddevere2975]

Beautiful.

[@anjodaharpa8757]

This guitar touch my heart!

[@joeasher4450]

Beautiful love

[@iam6345789]

This Lady is truely amazing!

[@overthinking_poet]

That Lady got the blues!

[@felixthelmocevallosmorales41]

Elizabeth "Libba" Cotten, nacida Elizabeth Neville, (Chapel Hill, 5 de enero de 1893 - 29 de junio de 1987) fue una cantante, guitarrista y compositora estadounidense de música folk y blues. Desarrolló una peculiar técnica de tocar la guitarra que es conocida como el "Cotten picking", en honor a su nombre.

[@jaleesaoscurida]

Who disliked this video. I'm not mad I just want to talk

[@SpiralOnUp]

THis is one of the most profound responses I ever heard. My hat down for you, gentle soul

[@teethadore]

I reckon there are folks who would not be satisfied with a free Christmas...probably just wanting folks to see how "edgy" or "jaded" they think they are.

[@homefreeonasuzuki7999]

That is strange that someone could hit dislike. I'd like to think it was accidental....

[@macisaac-crusoe-books9711]

some folks just have no idea what they listening to :)

[@jiveassturkey8849]

Homefree On a Suzuki That’s what I thing

[@rodney1238]

Truely wonderful she was bless with some great skills

[@markhofreiter8138]

Look carefully at this; Ms. Cotton is playing that guitar left-handed and the guitar is still strung for a right-handed player! Reversed and made-up chords with fingering all made-up too!

[@StevenParrisWard]

+Philadelphias FavoriteSon I play this way too and have since I was 15. I've learnt a lot from these films of Elizabeth.

[@melikemusic100]

+Mark Hofreiter I just noticed that too...had to do a double take...very cool.

[@clucaspik]

+Mark Hofreiter Yeah she's alternating the bass with her index finger and playing the melody with her thumb!! Jawdropping.

[@clucaspik]

+Philadelphias FavoriteSon Ha! Sorry - the comment was for guitar nerds only. I've been playing this style of guitar for 50 years, but not upside down!!!

[@camillefenoy5587]

FUUUCKKKK!!! I was trying to work out something!!!

[@lottielou9860]

No matter where I am, how old I am or whatever rubbish is going on in my life, Elizabeth is there for me

[@thevictorianedge5465]

Just beautiful and natural ❤❤

[@robertmcbain6247]

Incredible footage, all I had ever heard by her before was Vastapol

[@crotalusatrox7931]

We love you Elizabeth and we miss you cause you're gone.

[@TigerKing77]

Ms cotton is so dope.. playing a left-handed guitar upside down similar to the style of Jimmy she's got more blues in one pinky finger most people have in their entire body. 🎵🤘. Who needs words🎵 we don't need no stinking words her pickin that damn Good. What a beautiful vessel of god-given music going away fitting song for sure.

[@gloriadutton2089]

Love this! A historic treasure!

[@leeawnajohnson1081]

She's playing so intricately. She's astounding.

[@TheScunneredMan]

I saw a documentary on UK TV, featuring Aly Bain, at 70. it was mainly about him him searching out 'Americana' music, some decades ago. In it was a clip of this lady aged 92 and she could still 'pick a mean guitar'. Her voice may not be perfect, but when you think of the life she had, when young. And the oppressed culture she was raised in.