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Biography
Featuring Dom Flemons (guitar, jug, harmonica), Rhiannon Giddens (banjo, fiddle) and Justin Robinson (banjo, fiddle), the trio met whilst studying at Appalachian State University (North Carolina, US), having met at a 'Black Banjo Gathering' in 2005. Their mutual love of folk and bluegrass brought them together and soon they were creating their own music inspired by these early forms of blues and country.
Blending old standards and their own original compositions, Carolina Chocolate Drops soon found a growing local fan base before releasing their 2006 debut, "Dona Got a Ramblin Mind" on the Music Maker label. The album gained the band widespread critical acclaim, with constant touring helping to raise the band's profile. Three more independently released albums continued to find a warm reception, leading up to the widely distributed "Genuine Negro Jig" on Nonesuch Records in 2010. The album earned the group a Grammy Award for 'Best Traditional Folk Album' that same year, whilst also building a strong reputation for their exceptional live performances.
The success of "Genuine Negro Jig" was followed by their 2011 collaborative EP with New York City's (US) Romanian Gypsy punk act, the Luminescent Orchestrii. Robinson left the group shortly after, finding adequate replacements in multi-instrumentalist Hubby Jenkins, along with cellist Leyla McCalla and beat box percussionist Adam Matta. With this new lineup, a new album arrived in 2012, titled "Leaving Eden," which reached number 123 in the Billboard 200, as well as peaking at the number two spot on the US Heat chart.
Live reviews
The Carolina Chocolate Drops sure know how to take you back in time with their traditional bluegrass music. Their old fashioned fiddling and banjo playing will be sure to get everyone stomping their feet to the rhythm of the tune. What makes Carolina Chocolate Drops so special is their dedication to representing old-time bluegrass music in its purest form. The band members play a variety of instruments and stick to the old fashioned instruments like bones, jug, banjo, fiddle, and ukulele. The purpose of the band is to depict the clearest representation of old-time African American music to the audience so the spirit behind the music can be relived through the audience. Each member plays with immense soul and passion, and their musical abilities are impeccable. It is amazing to hear such a loud, rich sound conveyed through acoustic instruments. The pulsing rhythm of the upright bass produces a deep sound that really gives a punch to the music. Rhiannon Giddens sings in an intensely soulful style producing a yearning sound that captures the traditional African-American music perfectly.
There are usually minimal stage theatrics at a Carolina Chocolate Drops concert. The emotions conveyed through there sincere performance is captivating enough for the audience. They sometimes dress in an old-timey way to evoke a stronger sense of old-fashion tradition. Rhiannon is also very pleasant on stage, bantering with the audience and telling background stories relating to the meaning of the songs. The Carolina Chocolate Drops is a true treat to see live, putting immense effort into their performance to convey the most traditional and authentic style of music.
wjmcc
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