Traditions.

Seeing a Carolina Chocolate Drops concert is a transformative experience — and not just because of the old-time string band’s immense talents and diverse instrumentation. In keeping with their desire to educate audiences about how African Americans influenced popular music in the 1920s and ’30s, the band members explain the origins and lineage of nearly every tune they play. This information adds rich context and historical breadth to their music, whose banjos, fiddles, and chattering percussion are akin to a spiritual celebration. “What we do — especially seven years ago — was very new in terms of people associating it with black people,” says co-founder/vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens. “It was a big deal for a lot of people: ‘Why are you guys playing banjos and fiddles?’ We’re working a little more of the general history as well. And the other thing is, we’re playing stuff people haven’t heard in a long time, and it’s coming from traditions people just don’t know a lot about anymore.”

Read the rest here.

"Old Corn Likker"



I've should probably go see if that paper has written itself ...