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If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)
Artist: Chas McDevitt Skiffle Group
Author: Elizabeth Cotten
Label: Oriole
Year: 1956
Vocal: Nancy Whiskey. In the Levy Studio in London. Top 5 UK on Oriole, later also top 40 US on Chic. Author Elizabeth Cotten was a fingerpicking Piedmond autodidact who wrote this folk standard as a child (°1895). She finally cut it herself by accident, following her engagement as housekeeper for a famous couple of musicologists. Dusting off musical instruments rejuvenated her own intrest in musicmaking. The family Seeger was sort of a Family Trapp of the American folk with Mike & Peggy & Pete Seeger as their best known exponents. 'Lizzy' Cotton was like a second mother for them and what's more, she knew how to handle guitar and banjo. She started a singing career while well in her eighties, encouraged by all the commotion following the unexpected and unauthorized Charles McDevitt recording and hit. His lack of crediting Cotten hastened her own recording session, conducted by Mike Seeger in person (for Folkways).
Covers:
Peggy Seeger [the daughter of the house where author Elizabeth 'Lizzy' Cotton served as a maid (see note); Peggy first sang this song during a concert tour in England, where it struck McDevitt & C°]
Elizabeth Cotten [author]
Rusty Draper [top 10 US]
Joan Baez [released in '82]
Preservation Hall Jazz Band [vocal: Ani DiFranco]
Buddy Miller [with Marc Ribot, Greg Leisz and Bill Frisell]
Van Morrison [on Moving On Skiffle; Chas McDevitt fan since day one]
Dylan had his Freight Train Blues ('62) from an old Roy Acuff recording, see: I Got The Freight Train Blues.
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)