"Freight Train" by Elizabeth "Libba" Cotten.

OK, girls and boys, more traditional folk: This North Carolina native taught herself to play on her brother's guitar left-handed and "upside-down". At age 12 in 1907 she wrote her best-known tune inspired by the railroads rolling by her town. A folk classic, it was first recorded by Ramblin' Jack Elliott in '57 and by Mike Seeger, for whom she used to work as a housekeeper, in '58. She won a Grammy at age 93! Popularized during the 60s folk revival - famously covered by Peter, Paul and Mary. Artist? Song? Answer: Elizabeth "Libba" Cotten's "Freight Train". "Libba" Cotten's original lyrics ask for her to be buried at the end of Chestnut Street - PP&M changed it to Bleecker Street. I've always admired left-handed guitarists who play "upside-down", strung right-handed. Always the same story - grew up in a household with only one guitar and, of course, the owner wouldn't allow it to be strung left-handed. When I was growing up my father used to take me to a little barber shop in Santurce, P.R. (yes, we both had hair at some point!). The barber's name was Tasso and, in between haircuts, he would play "upside-down" left-handed guitar and sing. Peter, Paul and Mary's version once again shows Peter's and Noel Paul's mastery of the folk guitar. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdO-KWjTgPA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Surf City" by Jan and Dean.

OK, (two) girls and (one) boys (hint, hint!), back to the 60s: Brian Wilson penned this surf classic in '60 as "Goody Connie Won't You Come Back Home". He "gave" it to Jan Berry and Dean Torrence who altered it and gave it its well-known name. Their '63 recording topped the pop charts for 2 weeks and peaked at #3 on the R&B charts (!). First surf song ever to hit #1 on Billboard. Through Dean's efforts, Huntington Beach, CA has been nicknamed after this song and at least 65 of its businesses incorporate the title in their names. Covered by The Ramones and by The Go-Go's. Answer: "Surf City" by Jan and Dean. As Belinda Carlisle would have it, "Two boys for every girl!"! We had the privilege of seeing Jan & Dean live in '79 opening for McGuinn, Clark & Hillman at the Valley Forge Music Fair - what a thrill it was! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERrwjR4ZlfI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP5pjan45ZA https://w...
Read more

"In The Summertime" by Mungo Jerry.

OK, girls and boys, with the summer (hint, hint!) quickly aprroaching, more 70s one-hit wonders: Lead singer and guitarist Ray Dorset wrote this 1970 seasonal classic for his British pop-blues band - their first and only U.S. hit (#3). It sold over 16 million copies worldwide. One of the highest selling singles of all time and the world's top-selling summer song. Band? Song? Answer: "In The Summertime" by Mungo Jerry. Has anyone else ever noticed that the instrumental break in this song is interchangeable with the one from Canned Heat's "Going Up the Country"? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvUQcnfwUUM
Read more

"Theme from 'The Endless Summer' " by The Sandals.

OK, boys and girls, back to the 60s: A few days ago I read a post by my friend and Puerto Rican surfing legend Mundi Fernandez. He graciously mentioned many other surfers in our circle, most are still with us but, unfortunately, some have left us for that wonderful beach in heaven. Frankie Astor, Andy Romeu, Panchito Castro and our recently-departed dear childhood friend Arturo Marchand immediately come to mind. Even though I was by no means a surfer, I was always fascinated by the sport, admired its participants and, most important for me, relished in its music. This classic 1966 documentary film was created by Bruce Benson. It follows surfers Mike Hynson and Robert August on a six year quest around the globe trying to find "the perfect wave". The unforgettable surf-rock soundtrack and, especially, the theme song were composed by Gaston Georis and John Blakeley and performed by their group The Sandals. Arguably the most beloved theme in the surf movie genre. Movie?...
Read more