*The Fire Next Time- Bluegrass Variety- Carolina Chocolate Drops

Click On Title To Link To YouTube's Film Clip Of Carolina Chocolate Drop Doing "Cornbread And Butterbeans"

CD Review

Dona Got A Ramblin’ Mind, Carolina Chocolate Drops (Dom Flemons, Rhiannon Giddens, Justin Robinson and the spirit of fiddler Joe Thompson), MusicMaker, 2006.



Recently I posed a question in this space about who would continue the blues tradition today, now that most, if not all, of the famous old blues singers are dead or retired. One answer that I came up with was the talented Keb’ Mo’. There are others I am sure. I have also posed that same question here in regard to the folk music movement that now is seeing more than its fair share of old time performers pass from the scene, most recently the likes of Odetta and Utah Phillips. One answer that I came up with was the talented Woody Guthrie devotee Alastair Moock. Again, there are others I am sure. Here I pose the same question in regard to another important form of American music, bluegrass (or more generally, mountain music). As previously, the role of succession begs an important question now that many of the best of this genre have also passed or retired. Who would, if anyone, continue that old tradition?

That is where the artists under review, Carolina Chocolate Drops, come into the picture. When I think about Carolina, in this case North Carolina, I think of the famous black women virtuoso blues guitarists, Elizabeth Cotton and Etta Baker, whom I have previously reviewed in this space. More generally though I think of Ralph Stanley, Doc and Merle Watson and other white musicians from the mountains. I admit my error. That is not nearly inclusive enough. I have noted previously that in the 19th century the closeness of black and white variations of rural music were quite common and, in some cases, mutually shared. I then gave, as an example, the classic song “John Henry” done by both races in many variations. Thus, for these talented young black musicians to take up the struggle for continuity is a natural. And this CD proves the point. Enough said.

So what is good here? Obviously the classic “Sally Ann” that like “John Henry” has had a million incarnations. Hats off also to “Little Sadie” and “Black Annie”. However, if you only have time to listen to one give a listen to the title track “Dona Got A Ramblin’ Mind” then you will know why the old bluegrass tradition like the blues and folk ones are still in capable hands. Kudos, Drops.

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Sally Ann

SALLY ANN [1]. AKA and see “Beano,” “Darneo,” "Dineo." Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA; West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina. D Major. Standard tuning. AABB. One version of the tune was recorded for the Library of Congress by musicologist/folklorist Vance Randolph from Ozark Mountain fiddlers in the early 1940's. See also related tunes "Big Sweet Taters in Sandy Land," "Great Big Tater(s) in Sandy Land/Lot," "Sandy Land," "Sail Away Ladies" (Kentucky/Tennessee), "Wish(ed) I Had My Time Again" (Ky.). One version of the tune goes by the name "Dineo" in the Franklin/Floyd County area of southwestern Virginia, and it was recorded as “Darneo” by the Blue Ridge Highballers (Yazoo CD 2046). Among the many early recordings of the tune was a version by the Ashe County, North Carolina, string band Frank Blevins and His Tar Hell Rattlers, a name made up on the spot at the 1927 Columbia recording session in Atlanta for 16 year old fiddler Frank Blevins, his older brother and guitarist Ed Blevins and banjo player Fred Miller. The band’s playing was inspired by a few shots of corn liquor from a convenient jug. The Hill Billies, a Galax, Va., area band, recorded an influential version in 1925 (re-released on Document DOCD-8039). Fiddler Joe Birchfield (1911-2001) of Roan Mountain, Tennessee, played a version of “Sally Ann” in the key of C.

***

Cecil Sharp noted the following set of words from Mrs. Dellie Hughes of Crane River, Burnsville, North Carolina, in 1918:

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O where are you going Sally Anne (x3)

I’m going to the wedding, Sally Anne.

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O shake that little foot, Sally Anne (x3)

You’re a pretty good dancer, Sally Anne.

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These are from another traditional source (from Mudcat):

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Ever see a muskrat, Sally Ann,

Draggin' his thick tail through the sand,

Pickin' a banjo, kickin' up sand?

I'm gonna marry you, Sally Ann.

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Chorus:

I'm gonna marry you, Sal gal,

I'm gonna marry you, Sally Ann.

I'm gonna marry you, Sal gal,

I'm gonna marry you, Sally Ann.

***

Make my livin' in sandy land,

Make my livin' in sandy land,

Make my livin' in sandy land,

Raise them taters, Sally Ann.

***

So, y'ever see a muskrat, Sally Ann,

Draggin' his thick tail through the sand,

Pickin' a banjo, kickin' up sand?

I'm gonna marry you, Sally Ann.

***

Source for notated version: John Ashby (Virginia) [Brody, Phillips]. Brody (Fiddler’s Fakebook), 1983; pg. 244. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), vol. 1, 1994; pg. 209. County 405, "The Hillbillies." County 727, John Ashby‑ "Old Virginia Fiddling." Document 8039, “The Hill Billies/Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters: Compoete Recorded Works in Chronological Order, vol. 1” (reissue). Folkways FA2434, Norman Edmonds and the Old Timers ‑ "The 37th Old‑Time Fiddlers' Convention at Union Grove, North Carolina" (1961). Library of Congress (2741-B-1), 1939, J.W. 'Peg' Thatcher (Franklin County, Virginia). Musical Traditions MTCD321-2, Pug Allen (et al.) – “Far on the Mountain: vol’s. 1 & 2” (re-release, 2002). OKeh 40336 (78 RPM), The Hillbillies (1925). Old Hat Enterprises CD, “Music from the Lost Provinces” (1997). Revonah RS‑932, The West Orrtanna String Band ‑ "An Orrtanna Home Companion" (1978. Learned from Henry Reed via the Hollow Rock String Band). Rounder 0058, Clell Caudill‑ "Old Originals, vol. II" (1978). Rounder CD0262, Mike Seegar - "Fresh Old-Time String Band Music" (1988. Appears as "Pork Fat Makes My Chicken Tan," an unusual variation by the Horseflies and the Agents of Terra, Ithaca, N.Y., string bands in which the fiddle is tuned EDad). Yodel-Ay-Hee 020, Rafe Stefanini & Bob Herring - "Old Paint."

***North Carolina Picking- Elizabeth Cotten and Etta Baker

Elizabeth Cotton

Etta Baker
CD REVIEWS

Freight Train and Other North Carolina Folk Songs and Tunes, Elizabeth Cotton, Smithsonian-Folkways, 1989




There is something about these North Carolina style guitar pickers that is very appealing. And here I am thinking not only of the artist under review, the legendary Elizabeth Cotton, but also another female picker extraordinaire Etta Baker, as well. It is different from the Delta pick, for sure. They pick cleanly, simply but with verve. Ms. Cotton shows her stuff here on her first album from Folkways. Here we have the folk classic, no super-classic, Freight Train that was a rite of passage for every one from Peter, Paul and Mary to Dave Van Ronk to Tom Rush to record in the early 1960’s. Along with that tune we have some nice renditions of I Don’t Love Nobody and a few medleys like Sweet Bye and Bye combined with What A Friend You Have in Jesus (that I believe Blind Willie Johnson first recorded, or variation of it at least). Listen away but also save your money up to get the album with Shake Sugaree (get the one with her granddaughter singing along)on it. That’s the ticket.


One-Dime Blues, Etta Baker, Rounder Records, 1991

Recently I mentioned in reviewing Elizabeth Cotton’s Freight Train album from Folkways that there was something appealing about these North Carolina style guitar pickers. It is different from the Delta pick, for sure. They pick cleanly, simply but with verve. The Delta is a little more heavy-handed reflecting, I think, the woes of picking that cotton all week. Damn, I would be guitar picking like Keith Richards under those conditions. Ms. Baker shows her stuff here on this almost exclusively instrumental album from Rounder Records. The one vocal that she does do here –Broken-Hearted Blues- makes me wish that she had done more vocals but the guitar can carry her through on this album- no problem. Highlights here include some old country blues classics-John Henry, Crow Jane, Railroad Bill, Spanish Fandango and so on. Nice, nice touch. Nice, nice music.

*A Mixed Bag Musical Potpourri-Jazz, Blues, Gospel, Rock And Rockabilly-Dinah Washington

Click On Title To Link To YouTube's Film Clip Of Dinah Washington Doing "Stormy Weather".

Nothin’ Could Be Finah Than Dinah

Dinah Jams, Dinah Washington and various artists, Polygram Records, 1990

I admit to a very spotty interest in jazz over my life time and while I have always loved those 1940’s swing bands, like that of Benny Goodman, it was only with the celebration of the centennial of Duke Ellington’s birth in 1999 that I got a little more serious about this genre. Ken Burns’ “Jazz” series for PBS gave me another boost. Still and all there are huge gaps in my knowledge and appreciation of the classic jazz tradition. This is a little odd in that there is a certain convergence between jazz and my favorite musical genre, the blues. The artist under review here exemplifies both those traditions, although she was not known as a jazz singer, as such. All I know is I like what I hear here.

And what is that? Well, how about a very salacious “Lover Come Back To Me”, a heartfelt turn on the Johnny Mercer tune “Come Rain Or Come Shine”, a seemingly created for her style Cole Porter classic “ I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and a knock out “You Go To My Head”. Hell, even if you don’t a thing about jazz you know Dinah has got that “thing”.

I've Got You Under My Skin Lyrics

Ive got you under my skin
Ive got you deep in the heart of me
So deep in my heart, that youre really a part of me
Ive got you under my skin

Ive tried so not to give in
Ive said to myself this affair never will go so well
But why should I try to resist, when baby will I know than well
That Ive got you under my skin

Id sacrifice anything come what might
For the sake of having you near
In spite of a warning voice that comes in the night
And repeats, repeats in my ear

Dont you know you fool, you never can win
Use your mentality, wake up to reality
But each time I do, just the thought of you
Makes me stop before I begin
cause Ive got you under my skin

"Freight Train" Coming Home- The Picking Of Elizabeth Cotten

DVD Review

February Is Black History Month

Elizabeth Cotton: In Concert: 1969, 1975 &1980, Elizabeth Cotten, Vestapol Productions, 2004

Most of the points that I made in a previous review, the first paragraph of which is reposted below, of Elizabeth Cotten’s CD album for Folkways apply here as well.

“There is something about these North Carolina style guitar pickers that is very appealing. And here I am thinking not only of the artist under review, the legendary Elizabeth Cotten, but also another female picker extraordinaire Etta Baker, as well. It is different from the Delta pick, for sure. They pick cleanly, simply but with verve. Ms. Cotten shows her stuff here on her first album from Folkways. Here we have the folk classic, no super-classic, “Freight Train” that was a rite of passage for every one from Peter, Paul and Mary to Dave Van Ronk to Tom Rush to record in the early 1960’s. Along with that tune we have some nice renditions of “I Don’t Love Nobody” and a few medleys like “Sweet Bye and Bye” combined with “What A Friend You Have in Jesus” (that I believe Blind Willie Johnson first recorded, or variation of it at least). Listen away but also save your money up to get the album with “Shake Sugaree’’ (get the one with her granddaughter singing along) on it. That’s the ticket.”

The same can be said here of Ms. Cotten’s work as Stefan Grossman, who has produced several other videos featuring legendary country blues singers and instrumentalists, grouped together several concerts and/or interviews that Ms. Cotton gave in 1969, 1975 and 1980. Moreover, this subtly engaging and seemingly modest performer is fairly forthcoming in describing her long struggle to become one of the great guitarists, male or female, of this genre. Parts of this material are slow, parts are repetitious (especially of repeated versions of “Freight Train”) but overall one can learn about folk history. Or about guitar playing for those so inclined. At the end of the last concert where she does a little different rendition of "Shake, Sugaree” with verve is worth the price of admission here.