After the first few notes of the Carolina Chocolate Drops's "Cornbread, Butterbeans," I was hooked. "Cornbread, butterbeans and you across the table/eatin' them beans and makin' love as long as I am able . . ." Not only does the song title elicit pleasant memories of one of my favorite comfort meals (and my grandma making it!), but the band's instrumentation is **tight.** It includes banjo picking, fiddling, bones playing (Yes! Band member Dom Flemons plays the rhythm bones! No -- more aptly, he works them bones!) and jug blowin.' And floating above that are beautifully sung harmonies that are emblematic of mountain music and bluegrass.
As the band's name might suggest, its three members are African-American -- Dom Flemons, Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson. They are making a nice splash with their recently released album titled Genuine Negro Jig. I really like this band all around, but must say that watching Rhiannon Giddens play the fiddle and the banjo is so sweet. She also plays the kazoo! The video below gives you a sampling of the band's talent. If you want more, Genuine Negro Jig is available on iTunes. You have to hear the band's rendition of Blue Cantrell's "Hit 'Em Up Style" (the YouTube video version features the band performing live with Justin Robinson offering up a little human beat box). I also really like "Your Baby Ain't Sweet Like Mine" and the instrumental "Peace Behind the Bridge." Check 'em out.
