In my never ending quest for new music that fits the Songs:Illinois bill I came across the band Carolina Chocolate Drops. The name itself was enough for me to want to poke around and learn more. The fact that The Music Maker Relief Foundation is involved solidified things for me. Music Maker is a not for profit organization that helps blues musicians deal with some of their everyday problems and strife; be it health insurance, paying the bills, etc.
Carolina Chocolate Drops are a bridge back in time to the African-American Piedmont stringband groups. Their style of stringband traditionally puts more emphasis on the banjo than the fiddle. It’s said that it’s the banjo that drives the song forward. Dona Got a Ramblin’ Mind is the new record that initially may have been self-released, but has now been re-released with a little better packaging and more distribution muscle by Music Maker.
Starry Crown
Ricketts Hornpipe
Short Life Of Trouble
Bonus back catalog blues courtesy of Music Maker
Cat Squall Blues – Freddie King
The Things that I Used To Do – Adolphus Bell
Liquor Still – Cora Mae Bryant
Drinkin The Wine – Drink Small And Cootie Stark
Piece Behind The Bridge – Etta Baker
My Wife Left Me – Lee Gates
Fantastic!
great music – all of it! Thanks so much.
holy cow, i already love this band and i just discovered them tonight! thank you for the mp3s.