Friday, November 26, 2010

Carolina Chocolate Drops

The Carolina Chocolate Drops are an old time string band from Durham, NC. The trio includes Rhiannon Giddens, Don Flemons, and Justin Robinson. All of the musicians sing and trade instruments including banjo, fiddle, guitar, harmonica, snare drum, bones, jug, and kazoo. Their name is a tribute to the Tennessee Chocolate Drops. The video is a traditional song called "Georgia Buck," performed on the UNC campus.

The Drops learned most of their repitoire and style of playing from the eminent African American old time fiddler Joe Thompson. In 2005, these three individuals made a commitment to travel to Joe's house every Thursday night for a jam session. When they decided to form a band they didn't have any big plans. It was mostly a tribute to Joe, and to get his music back into dance halls and public places. The band started playing wherever people would listen. From town squares to farmer's markets, they perfected their playing and started to win an avid foot-tapping, sing-along style audience.

http://www.carolinachocolatedrops.com/

Smelly Dog

2 comments:

  1. My brother Danny introduced this band to me. Pretty good interview with the band on NPR.

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  2. The Drops are playing at the Melting Pot on Feb 22nd. I do believe I will be in town for this show. WooHoo!

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