Freight Train is a 1971 Capitol Records album (ST 770) by Jim & Jesse — brothers Jim McReynolds (guitar, lead vocals) and Jesse McReynolds (mandolin) — built around the Elizabeth Cotton composition that became both the album's title and a country chart hit for the duo that year. The McReynolds brothers had been on Capitol since the early 1960s, combining Jesse's pioneering cross-picking mandolin technique with Jim's smooth lead voice to produce a sound that bridged traditional bluegrass and commercial country. Nashville session bassist Junior Huskey anchors the rhythm section. The album reflects the dual-audience marketing of the Capitol period, presenting the brothers as both authentic bluegrass artists and mainstream country performers within a single release.
Tracklist
- 1 San Quentin quail 2:20
- 2 Fifteen years ago 2:45
- 3 Snowbird 2:10
- 4 I'll always be waiting for you 2:07
- 5 Knock three times 2:11
- 6 Freight Train alt version 2:31
- 7 A bird with broken wings can't fly 2:54
- 8 promised land 2:09
- 9 Just wondering why 3:03
- 10 Congratulations anyway 2:30
