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AMERICAN ROUTES ON INSTAGRAM
CAROLINA CHOCOLATE DROPS AND THE BLACK EXPERIENCE IN COUNTRY MUSIC
This week, we talk to the founding members of the Grammy award-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops. Justin Robinson, Rhiannon Giddens and Dom Flemons started playing music together under the tutelage of legendary black old-time fiddler, Joe Thompson in his backyard shed. The Chocolate Drops came together to carry on the old time and country traditions from the Piedmont region in the Carolinas, but they wanted to do more than just play. They wanted to show their audiences that African American music finds its roots in genres beyond blues and jazz. Then we delve into the archives for our classic conversation with the late, great Ray Charles — and pianist Johnnie Johnson tells us about the surprising origins of Chuck Berry’s “Maybellene.”
HOUR ONE
- Open Bed: Peace Behind the Bridge Carolina Chocolate Drops
Genuine Negro Jig, Nonesuch - Open Bed: Vine Street Drag Tennessee Chocolate Drops
Violin Sing the Blues for Me: African American Fiddlers 1926-1949, Old Hat - Blue Ridge Mountain Boys Martin, Bogan and Armstrong
Martin Bogan and Armstrong/That Old Gang of Mine, Flying Fish - John Henry Cephas and Wiggins
Richmond Blues, Smithsonian Folkways - Freight Train Elizabeth Cotten
Freight Train and Other North Carolina Folk Songs and Tunes, Smithsonian Folkways - SEGMENT: Rhiannon Giddens Pt. 1
Listen - Instrumental: Sitting On Top of the World Jelly Roll Kings
Off Yonder Wall, Fat possum - Sitting On Top of the World Mississippi Sheiks
Honey Babe Let the Deal Go Down, Colombia/ Legacy - Violin Blues Johnson Mountain Boys
Violin Sing the Blues For Me, Yazoo - The Fiddler Claude Williams
Claude Williams Live at J’s Part 1, Arhoolie - SEGMENT: Justin Robinson
Listen - Instrumental: Guitar Rag John Jackson
Country Blues and Ditties, Arhoolie - Blue Yodel #9 Jimmie Rodgers
The Singing Brakeman, Bear Family - Down Yonder Snooks Eaglin
Snooks Eaglin and Friends, Sonet - SEGMENT: Dom Flemons
Listen - End Bed: Dixie Carolina Chocolate Drops
Dona Got a Ramblin' Mind, Music Maker
HOUR two
- Open Bed: Sunshine Twist (You Are My Sunshine) Jelly Roll Kings
Jelly Roll Kings: Rockin' the Juke Joint Down, Earwig - You Are My Sunshine Ray Charles
The Complete Country & Western Recordings 1959-1986, Rhino - I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry Al Green
Country Meets Soul, Hi Records - SEGMENT: Rhiannon Giddens Pt. 2
Listen - Instrumental: Last Date Willie Mitchell
Robbin's Nest, Hi Records - CLIP: Ray Charles
- Makes No Difference Now Ray Charles
The Complete Country & Western Recordings 1959-1986, Rhino - Whiskey Heaven Fats Domino
From Where I Stand: The Black Experience in Country Music, Warner Brothers - Grand Tour Aaron Neville
The Very Best of Aaron Neville, A&M - That's How I Got to Memphis Solomon Burke
Nashville, Shout - Detroit City Arthur Alexander
The Ultimate Arthur Alexander, Razor and Tie - Almost Persuaded Etta James
Etta James, MCA - Instrumental: Last Date Willie Mitchell
Sunrise Serenade/Hold It, Hi Records - CLIP: Johnnie Johnson
- Down on the Farm Big Al Downing
From Where I Stand: The Black Experience in Country Music, Warner Brothers - Cotton Fields Charley Pride
Charley Pride in Person, BMG - Cotton-Eyed Joe Nina Simone
Nina Simone Anthology -- The Colpix Years, Rhino - The Weight The Staples Singers and Marty Stuart
Rhythm, Country and Blues, MCA - End Bed: Last Date Little Willie John
Yellow Boogie and Blues, Oldie Blues