''Genuine Negro Jig'' is the third studio
album
An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early 20th century as individual 78 rpm records co ...
of the
Carolina Chocolate Drops
The Carolina Chocolate Drops were an old-time string band from Durham, North Carolina. Their 2010 album, '' Genuine Negro Jig,'' won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, and was number 9 in ''fRoots' ...
, one of the few
African-American
African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ensl ...
string bands playing today. Its label debut was released on February 16, 2010, while its vinyl version, which included the album on 140-gram vinyl and CD, was released on July 13.
This is the first album the band has recorded for
Nonesuch Records
Nonesuch Records is an American record company and label owned by Warner Music Group, distributed by Warner Records (formerly called Warner Bros. Records), and based in New York City. Founded by Jac Holzman in 1964 as a budget classical label, No ...
. It was highly successful, reaching the top ten on the Billboard Folk chart and the top of the Bluegrass chart.
[ ''Genuine Negro Jig'' on the Billboard Bluegrass chart/ref>] It was also the last CCD recording to include collaborator and Sankofa Strings co-founder, Sule Greg Wilson.
Like most of the Carolina Chocolate Drops' work, the album, a mixture of traditional folk songs, early 20th "Race" music, and recent pieces, is part of the Chocolate Drops' effort to celebrate the string band music of the Piedmont
it, Piemontese
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region of North
North is one of the four compass points or cardinal directions. It is the opposite of south and is perpendicular to east and west. ''North'' is a noun, adjective, or adverb indicating direction or geography.
Etymology
The word ''north ...
and South Carolina
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, anthem = " Carolina";" South Carolina On My Mind"
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, seat = Columbia
, LargestCity = Charleston
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, and the influence of African-Americans on this music. On NPR
National Public Radio (NPR, stylized in all lowercase) is an American privately and state funded nonprofit media organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with its NPR West headquarters in Culver City, California. It differs from other ...
, band member Rhiannon Giddens pointed out that "it seems that two things get left out of the history books. One, that there was string band music in the Piedmont, period. (And that) black folk was such a huge part of string tradition." Although the music the Chocolate Drops play is quite eclectic, the band members claim that early 20th-century African American string bands also drew from a wide range of genres in their musical repertoire. In describing the music, Giddens discusses how she was inspired but not bound by the genres in which she works—"Tradition is a guide, not a jailer. We play in an older tradition but we are modern musicians."
''Genuine Negro Jig'' was well received by critics. '' Blogcritics'' writes that "our ears are all the better for it" and is "hoping that this record will not only put the Carolina Chocolate Drops on the map, but will also draw new listeners in to the genres of old country and blues." ''Engine 145'' describes ''Genuine Negro Jig'' as "an album of feistily complex, yet endearingly soulful songs that have ages of history behind them and a bright future as well."[ ''Paste'' magazine calls the Chocolate Drops "the genuine article" whose "enthusiasm for the tradition is obvious."][ ''The Guardian'' writes that the album is "well worth checking out."][
The album won a 2010 ]Grammy Award
The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pr ...
in the best traditional folk album category, and was number 9 in ''fRoots
''fRoots'' (pronounced "eff-Roots", originally ''Folk Roots'') was a specialist music magazine published in the UK between 1979 and 2019. It specialised in folk and world music, and featured regular compilation downloadable albums, with occa ...
'' magazine's top 10 albums of the year.
Track listing
#"Peace Behind the Bridge" (Etta Baker
Etta Baker (March 31, 1913 – September 23, 2006) was an American Piedmont blues guitarist and singer from North Carolina.
Early life and career
She was born Etta Lucille Reid in Caldwell County, North Carolina, of African-American, Native A ...
) — 2:34
#"Trouble in Your Mind" (Traditional) — 2:55
#"Your Baby Ain't Sweet Like Mine" ( Charlie Jackson, Dom Flemons
Dominique Flemons (born August 30, 1982) is an American old-time music, Piedmont blues, and neotraditional country multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter. He is a proficient player of the banjo, fife, guitar, harmonica, percussion, quills ...
) — 3:00
#" Hit 'Em Up Style" (Dallas Austin
Dallas L. Austin (born December 29, 1970) is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, and film producer.
Biography
Early life
During a 2019 interview with DJ Vlad, Dallas Austin detailed previously unknown or unconfirmed events in ...
) — 3:56
#"Cornbread and Butterbeans" (Traditional) — 3:10
#"Snowden's Jig" (Genuine Negro Jig) (Traditional) — 3:53
#"Why Don't You Do Right?" (Kansas Joe McCoy
Wilbur "Kansas Joe" McCoy (May 11, 1905 – January 28, 1950) was an American Delta blues singer, musician and songwriter.
Career
McCoy performed under various stage names but is best known as Kansas Joe McCoy. Born in Raymond, Mississippi, he ...
) — 3:36
#"Cindy Gal" (Traditional) — 2:28
#"Kissin' and Cussin'" ( Justin Robinson) — 3:21
#"Sandy Boys" (Traditional) — 2:25
#"Reynadine" (Traditional) — 2:37
#"Trampled Rose" (Kathleen Brennan
Kathleen Patricia Brennan (born 1955) is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, and artist. She is known for her work as a co-writer, producer, and influence on the work of her husband Tom Waits.
Biography
Brennan was born in Cork, ...
, Tom Waits
Thomas Alan Waits (born December 7, 1949) is an American musician, composer, songwriter, and actor. His lyrics often focus on the underbelly of society and are delivered in his trademark deep, gravelly voice. He worked primarily in jazz during ...
) — 4:36
#Bonus Download: "Your Baby Ain't Sweet Like Mine" (live) (Charlie Jackson, Dom Flemons) — 3:38
#Bonus Download: "Cornbread and Butterbeans" (live) (Traditional) — 3:57
#Bonus Download: "Georgia Buck" (live) (Traditional) — 3:03
#Bonus Download: "Hit 'Em Up Style" (live) (Dallas Austin) — 5:28
#Bonus Download: "Snowden's Jig" (Genuine Negro Jig) (live) (Traditional) — 4:07
#Bonus Download: "Memphis Shakedown" (live) (Traditional) — 3:40
#Bonus Download: "Trouble in Your Mind" (live) (Traditional) — 3:06
References
{{Authority control
The Carolina Chocolate Drops albums
Music of North Carolina
Nonesuch Records albums
Culture of Durham, North Carolina
2010 albums
Albums produced by Joe Henry