As if I weren’t already grateful enough to J.R. Rhodes for bringing her own beautiful music into the world, and for being her own wonderful self, I am doubly grateful today, as she has brought my attention to Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten, the subject of this song and someone I really should have been aware of before now. I’m sure you already know all about her, so I won’t embarrass us all by attempting a primer here, but if you don’t, do a little googling and a lot of listening – but not before feasting your ears on J.R.’s tune.
Despite being a song about a brilliant and groundbreaking guitarist, and despite J.R.’s own ample skills on that instrument, “Libba” is performed solely by voice and cello, with J.R. joined by another local treasure, Lori Goldston. “Left is right, right is left,” J.R. sings. “Up is down, down is up. . . . Libba turned it around.” In the most literal sense, these words could be about the unique way Libba played her guitar (which breaks my brain just to watch), but of course it’s about so much more than that, it’s about overcoming the odds, facing your fears, taking on the world with the tools at your disposal and making it your own. The tune is simple, soulful, brimming with hope and yearning, and beautifully rendered by two consummate artists. In short, it’s exactly what I need right now. Maybe it’s what you need too.