I was born in Raleigh and always feel a lot of pride when I see the work of the Chocolate Drops. They are performing a wonderful service to USA history and black musical heritage by helping to rescue the old music and present it within a context that exalts the rich musical contributions of African-Americans as well as their white admirers and imitators while contextualizing it so that we can appreciate this rich musical history even while condemning the harsh racism of that history.
I love the spirit of where you beautiful people are coming from. You have found your purpose and it is really important. You guys are All American and you are living the American Dream while doing something you think is important and you love. Let that sink in. You are living your lives in freedom. You are very talented, even gifted. You did what seemed important, interesting, fun. And suddenly "The Chocolate Drops" are a phenomenon and you are important. The thing that you understand and I appreciate so much, and I am sure many others agree, is how important this music is, and that it is everyone's heritage -- it belongs to the world; to the ages, and it should not be lost. You are finding and saving something that is an important part of the world's heritage. But also, America would not be America without that music. That story needs to be told. I am a 73 year old white guy living in California. Rhiannon, when I heard you sing "Purchaser's Choice" I wept uncontrollably for over a day. I felt the pain, I felt all the emotions -- the violation -- of how horrible and wrong it was. Separating a mother from her nine month old baby is the most horrible and inhumane thing I can think of. I do not want to be sensational, but I want to put it in perspective. It was just as awful and inhumane as the death camp at Auschwitz. Maybe worse. It must have been very painful for you to write that song. When I was in college, I marched with/for Martin Luther King. I was kicked out of my fraternity, and given an "F" by a teacher who was a racist. No big deal. Petty. The reason I am even telling you this is: you guys -- who you are, you are lovely people, and the lives you are living -- you are what I was dreaming of and hoping for back in the day. You are not just living your lives, you are inspiring us to live ours. We are all in this together. We need each other. Sorry. I did get a little sappy.
Do not throw it away for we need to remember. For years to come it will clarify what we will no longer accept. Thanks for posting cause my feelings are really working.
that was outstanding! I am myself a folk musician from Germany who's into all kinds of European folk and I've never heard this kind of music before. Thanks a lot for this video! I hope you will post more stuff like this in the future!
Thank you for educating us. I remember hear the bones playing in the Chinese operas played in the streets (of China). When the bones are played, it's a hint of something bad is going to happen. You are fabulous educating a person like me. It brought awareness to me how the African Americans are so important bringing out the first banjo. In the old days, there were no television or even books in some places. You make your own entertainment.
Thank you for making this video- it's extremely interesting. Just when one thinks the music can't get any better, a little background history makes the tunes mean so much more.
Wow. Superb music, superb lecture. As an Irish-American trad musician, I can only say, with a slight lump in the throat, thank you, guys. Brilliant. (Surprised to see a fifth string on the banjo, as I'd been told that was a later innovation. Fascinating.)
CCD was truly an American institution. I would love to see a reunion sometime.
I was born in Raleigh and always feel a lot of pride when I see the work of the Chocolate Drops. They are performing a wonderful service to USA history and black musical heritage by helping to rescue the old music and present it within a context that exalts the rich musical contributions of African-Americans as well as their white admirers and imitators while contextualizing it so that we can appreciate this rich musical history even while condemning the harsh racism of that history.
I love the spirit of where you beautiful people are coming from. You have found your purpose and it is really important. You guys are All American and you are living the American Dream while doing something you think is important and you love. Let that sink in. You are living your lives in freedom. You are very talented, even gifted. You did what seemed important, interesting, fun. And suddenly "The Chocolate Drops" are a phenomenon and you are important. The thing that you understand and I appreciate so much, and I am sure many others agree, is how important this music is, and that it is everyone's heritage -- it belongs to the world; to the ages, and it should not be lost. You are finding and saving something that is an important part of the world's heritage. But also, America would not be America without that music. That story needs to be told. I am a 73 year old white guy living in California. Rhiannon, when I heard you sing "Purchaser's Choice" I wept uncontrollably for over a day. I felt the pain, I felt all the emotions -- the violation -- of how horrible and wrong it was. Separating a mother from her nine month old baby is the most horrible and inhumane thing I can think of. I do not want to be sensational, but I want to put it in perspective. It was just as awful and inhumane as the death camp at Auschwitz. Maybe worse. It must have been very painful for you to write that song. When I was in college, I marched with/for Martin Luther King. I was kicked out of my fraternity, and given an "F" by a teacher who was a racist. No big deal. Petty. The reason I am even telling you this is: you guys -- who you are, you are lovely people, and the lives you are living -- you are what I was dreaming of and hoping for back in the day. You are not just living your lives, you are inspiring us to live ours. We are all in this together. We need each other. Sorry. I did get a little sappy.
Do not throw it away for we need to remember. For years to come it will clarify what we will no longer accept. Thanks for posting cause my feelings are really working.
that was outstanding! I am myself a folk musician from Germany who's into all kinds of European folk and I've never heard this kind of music before. Thanks a lot for this video! I hope you will post more stuff like this in the future!
Thank you for educating us. I remember hear the bones playing in the Chinese operas played in the streets (of China). When the bones are played, it's a hint of something bad is going to happen. You are fabulous educating a person like me. It brought awareness to me how the African Americans are so important bringing out the first banjo. In the old days, there were no television or even books in some places. You make your own entertainment.
Thank you for making this video- it's extremely interesting. Just when one thinks the music can't get any better, a little background history makes the tunes mean so much more.
Beautiful Beautiful Perfect Perfect
massive respect just massive massive massive
Beautiful and so intelligently discussed! I'm glad I was linked to this :)
Man. The stuff they're talking about around 9:30 is awesome,one of the reasons I really like these guys.
the most important performance i have witnessed in all my years on earth
Black banjo history brilliant 🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕🪕
Thank you for posting this and thanks to these folks for their contribution to music history.
Wow. Superb music, superb lecture. As an Irish-American trad musician, I can only say, with a slight lump in the throat, thank you, guys. Brilliant. (Surprised to see a fifth string on the banjo, as I'd been told that was a later innovation. Fascinating.)
Always enjoyed their set at Merlefest every year. It was like stepping back in time.
Miss you all!!
Incredible music! Very good lesson too. Thank you.
I'm just hearing this for the first time in 2022. great music and very interesting
I like the idea of playing bones. An instrument you can take anywhere 😃