The Magic of "Shake Sugaree": A Song of Mystery and Legacy "Shake Sugaree" is more than just a folk song; it is a quintessential piece of American music history that bridges the gap between simple family lullabies and the complex evolution of the folk-blues tradition. Written and performed by the legendary , this track remains one of her most beloved and debated works. The Origins: A Family Affair
Unlike many of Cotten's other hits like "Freight Train," which she wrote as a child, "Shake Sugaree" (1967) was a collaborative effort born from her role as a great-grandmother.
"Shake Sugaree" hasn't stayed in the past; it has been kept alive by generations of artists:
: The recurring theme of pawning items (watch, chain, even a "split pea shell") suggests a narrative of poverty and making ends meet.
: Entirely self-taught, she didn't perform publicly until her 60s, after being "discovered" while working as a housekeeper for the musical Seeger family. A Lasting Legacy
: The definitive version features Cotten’s 12-year-old great-granddaughter, Brenda Evans , on lead vocals, while Cotten provides her signature "upside-down" guitar accompaniment. What Does "Shake Sugaree" Actually Mean?
: Being left-handed, Cotten played a right-handed guitar held upside-down without restringing it. This meant she picked the bass lines with her fingers and the melody with her thumb.
The Magic of "Shake Sugaree": A Song of Mystery and Legacy "Shake Sugaree" is more than just a folk song; it is a quintessential piece of American music history that bridges the gap between simple family lullabies and the complex evolution of the folk-blues tradition. Written and performed by the legendary , this track remains one of her most beloved and debated works. The Origins: A Family Affair
Unlike many of Cotten's other hits like "Freight Train," which she wrote as a child, "Shake Sugaree" (1967) was a collaborative effort born from her role as a great-grandmother. Shake Sugaree
"Shake Sugaree" hasn't stayed in the past; it has been kept alive by generations of artists: The Magic of "Shake Sugaree": A Song of
: The recurring theme of pawning items (watch, chain, even a "split pea shell") suggests a narrative of poverty and making ends meet. "Shake Sugaree" hasn't stayed in the past; it
: Entirely self-taught, she didn't perform publicly until her 60s, after being "discovered" while working as a housekeeper for the musical Seeger family. A Lasting Legacy
: The definitive version features Cotten’s 12-year-old great-granddaughter, Brenda Evans , on lead vocals, while Cotten provides her signature "upside-down" guitar accompaniment. What Does "Shake Sugaree" Actually Mean?
: Being left-handed, Cotten played a right-handed guitar held upside-down without restringing it. This meant she picked the bass lines with her fingers and the melody with her thumb.
Select country/region
United Arab Emirates (English)