Playlist of the week

I created this playlist of my favorite Rhiannon Giddens' track a couple of weekends ago when I delved into her solo music after putting in a pre-order for the upcoming album Songs of Our Native Daughters. I pretty much explained in previous blog entries how I got into Rhiannon's music. In the course of the two weeks, I have also added a few of my favorite tracks from her band Carolina Chocolate Drops. I didn't think I would enjoy bluegrass music but I dig CCD's music. I also think it is wonderful the band fuses African American history with folk and bluegrass music. I have only heard a couple of the band's music but from what I have heard I felt like I had taken a trip back in time to the pre-Civil Rights era. I am guessing at the moment CCD is on hiatus while Rhiannon is focusing on a solo career based on what I have read online (i.e did not find anything that indicated the band has broken up). That is alright. I dig her solo work. I hope one day I will catch her live. I have been binging on live performances of Rhiannon on YouTube and she puts most artists today to shame. Love the clarity of her vocals and her astonishing skills on the fiddle and banjo. I strongly recommend listening to "Pretty Bird" from Leaving Eden by Carolina Chocolate Drops and "Waterboy" from her debut solo album Tomorrow is My Turn. Both songs really showcases just how amazing she is as a singer. As for her skills on the fiddle and banjo, I suggest listening to her band's work.

Songs to check out:
"Pretty Little Girl" (from Voice of Ages by The Chieftains)
"Angel City" (from Tomorrow is My Turn)
"Birmingham Sunday" (from Freedom Highway)
"Mama's Crying So Long" (from Songs of Our Native Daughters)
"Waterboy" (Tomorrow is My Turn)
"We Could Fly" (Freedom Fly)
"A La Claire Fontaine" (All the Pretty Horses)
"Pretty Bird" (from Leaving Eden by Carolina Chocolate Drops)