Your browser is not supported. For the best experience, use any of these supported browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge.
Skip to main content
PayPal Preferred Payments Partner
Rhiannon Giddens

Country

Rhiannon Giddens Tickets

Events0 Results

No more results on this page

About

It was toward the end of the T Bone Burnett–curated September 2013 Another Day, Another Time concert at New York City’s Town Hall—a celebration of the early ’60s folk revival that had inspired the Joel and Ethan Coen film Inside Llewyn Davis—when singer Rhiannon Giddens indisputably stole the show. Performing Odetta’s “Water Boy” with, as the New York Times put it, “the fervor of a spiritual, the yips of a folk holler, and the sultry insinuation of the blues,” Giddens brought the star-studded audience to its feet. She was the talk of the lobby during intermission as those attendees unfamiliar with her Grammy Award–winning work as a member of African-American folk interpreters Carolina Chocolate Drops wondered who exactly Rhiannon Giddens was, with her elegant bearing, prodigious voice, and fierce spirit.

On her Nonesuch solo debut Tomorrow Is My Turn, Giddens and Burnett revisit “Water Boy,” its Odetta-arranged work-song rhythm serving as both provocation and a statement of power. Giddens delivers an equally thunderous rendition, one made all the more striking when placed between a gentle, ruminative interpretation of Dolly Parton’s “Don’t Let It Trouble Your Mind” and a version of Hank Cochran’s “She’s Got You,” popularized by Patsy Cline, that Giddens imbues with “an old-timey R&B vibe,” abetted by Carolina Chocolate Drops band-mate Hubby Jenkins. The breadth of musical vision on Tomorrow Is My Turn fulfills the promise of that brief but stunning star turn at Town Hall. The album incorporates gospel, jazz, blues, and country, plus a hint of proto-rock and roll, and Giddens displays an emotional range to match her dazzling vocal prowess throughout.

The life that Giddens explores at the climax of Tomorrow Is My Turn is her own creative one, on the lilting, self-penned ballad “Angel City.” Though she regards herself far more as singer than songwriter, “Angel City,” composed in the course of a single night during the recording of the Burnett-helmed The New Basement Tapes project, fits perfectly at the close of the set, gently paying homage to the elder artists whose work comprise the rest of the album. “It was these women, these artists, who had helped me, who had come with me on this journey, and here are lyrics that represented that.”

Tomorrow Is My Turn was recorded in Los Angeles and Nashville, with a multi-generational group of players whom Burnett assembled. Among them are fiddle player Gabe Witcher and double bassist Paul Kowert of label-mates Punch Brothers; percussionist Jack Ashford of Motown’s renowned Funk Brothers; inventive drummer and Burnett stalwart Jay Bellerose; veteran folk-blues guitarist Colin Linden; legendary backup singer Tata Vega; and Nashville session great, bassist Dennis Crouch. Giddens enthuses, “We had Dennis and Paul on stand-up bass at the same time on some of these tracks. They are all ‘musicians’ musicians’ and they did cool stuff they don’t always get the opportunity to play. It was a bit of a challenge for them too, all these different kinds of music; every day was something new. We’d start the day by watching the original inspiration for the song on YouTube, and then we would go cut it. They were a diverse group of people, but it felt like a real band.”

The songs here, says Giddens, “are all facets of the human condition.” Taken together, they answer the question Twyla Tharp posed at the beginning of Giddens’ solo adventure.  Tomorrow Is My Turn is a composite portrait of “Ruby,” of America, and of Giddens herself, whose turn is clearly right now.

Reviews

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 based on 185 reviews
  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Rhiannon Giddens

    by Harkey on 4/14/16Carolina Theatre – Greensboro - Greensboro

    A remarkable woman, she is so talented and so involved in the issues. She brings musical history to her audiences so that all can benefit and enjoy it.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Magic

    by FPPS on 11/25/15Tilles Center Concert Hall - Brookville

    I haven't heard a voice like Rhiannon Giddens in a very long time. Her range is amazing, dynamics are spot on and she knows how to interpret a song and dazzle an audience with her exuberance and style. Add her extraordinary back up band and they bring the house down and create musical magic!

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Rhiannon Giddens Can Sing ANYTHING

    by 8Bayside on 11/23/15Tilles Center Concert Hall - Brookville

    She shifts effortlessly between country and classical with a pure voice that is mesmerizing. This is my third time enjoying her and i will sign up again whenever possible.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Rhiannon giddend

    by Cloudcowboy on 11/22/15Tilles Center Concert Hall - Brookville

    Really good show can't understand why she isn't drawing more people to her shows

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Rhiannon Giddens and her band were fantastic!

    by NYCWEST on 11/22/15Tilles Center Concert Hall - Brookville

    Intimate powerful performance! Rihannon made the audience feel like she was a friend. She has a beautiful soulful voice and a warm southern charming personality. Her band was talented and fun. A great performance!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Rhiannon awesome!

    by Gumper79 on 11/22/15Tilles Center Concert Hall - Brookville

    I've seen hundreds of concerts and this one I'd rank in the top 5. She was incredible and her band equally great. What a voice and energy.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Such an amazing talent

    by Martylup on 11/22/15Tilles Center Concert Hall - Brookville

    Rhiannon Giddens is a superb artist, comfortable singing in many styles in her classically-trained voice. She did an unforgettable version of La Vie en Rose as a tribute to Paris. She has an easy manner in talking with the audience and has a great band. Just beautiful in all ways.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Rhiannon Giddens is terrific!

    by Deckvid on 6/15/15Taft Theatre - Cincinnati

    A powerful voice and magnificent arrangements, backed up by an engaging band, make a Rhiannon Giddens concert a MUST!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Stunning Performance

    by kkoefler on 6/15/15Taft Theatre - Cincinnati

    From the moment Rhiannon stepped onto the stage, the house was hers. Graceful and gorgeous in a black and white petticoated dress and barefoot she dominated the stage. Two hours of masterful signing and banjo playing and story telling past by in what seemed like a few minutes.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Rhiannon Giddens is a gift to all of us!!!

    by iLuvMusic2 on 5/5/15Pantages Theatre - Minneapolis

    I went to see her, having heard just one song she performed on Letterman. I immediately went online to learn more about her and sure enough, she was coming to Minneapolis. A powerful and gifted voice, with a captivating presence, frankly it’s hard to take your eyes off her. She also makes the violin and banjo awfully darn sexy. The band, known as The Carolina Chocolate Drops were terrific, everything made sense start to finish. My one disappointment was that her show was relatively short. I’m confident with her growing popularity, there will be more music to share…Bring it on Rhiannon, loved you!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Rhianonn anticipation realised!!!

    by satwilson on 5/3/15Liberty Hall - Lawrence

    After falling in love with her CD, "Tomorrow is My Turn", my expectations were pretty high. The only low spot was her opening act, sorry. Rhiannon captivated the Lawrence audience from the get/go. A polished act of solo album and Chocolate Drops, etc, had the audience mesmerized, very enthusiastic. Her voice is the whole show. Classically trained, but able to take that into Folk, Blues, Jazz. Her stage presence was awesome, the complete package. Do not miss the new "Best Female Vocalist". I love Diana Krall, Christy Baron, Patricia Barber, Joni Mitchell, Viva Rhiannon!!!!!

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Great Concert!

    by RhiannanFan on 5/2/15Liberty Hall - Lawrence

    If you enjoy authentic American music and have a chance to see this wonderful and talented artist, just do whatever you need to get tickets. Don't delay as you might miss out on a good time.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Great Music

    by Catman69 on 5/2/15Liberty Hall - Lawrence

    I loved the music but wasn't happy with the politics. I wish that the Baltimore riots hadn't been brought up. I was around during Kent State, Watts, and the Detroit riots. I have mixed feelings, ie. what's happened has been an excuse for looting as opposed to the "system" that started the riots during 'Nam.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Giddens is now a great solo performer

    by StPaulSlim on 5/1/15Pantages Theatre - Minneapolis

    Rhiannon Giddens is a minimalist in the folk/Americana tradition. A great, clear voice with range and dramatic phrasing. Giddens also displays a nice performing persona, pleasant and informative about her songs, but not over indulgent. Her back up band consists of all strong musicians, and the addition of a stand up cello is a real treat. Those who like The Carolina Chocolate Drops (and even those who aren't familiar with that group) will really enjoy Gidddens' solo turn. Highly recommended! (The opening act is a real snooze, which Giddens would be better off without.)

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    by TBOTr on 5/1/15Pantages Theatre - Minneapolis

    Incredible voice control, perfect pitch, trained in opera, Rhiannon Giddens, a voice from the heavens. Superb musicianship covering gospel, blues, old-time country, and even Gaelic. I've seen alot of live performances from ABBA to ZZ Top and this quite possibly is the best I have ever seen! Spine tingling, goosebumps & tears of happiness when you hear her voice. Don't miss this one. Excellent venue, Pantages Theater, Minneapolis.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    by Fetzs on 4/14/15Town Hall - New York

    Outstanding!!! Rhiannon's voice and diverse spectrum of music skills is amazing and powerful.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Rhiannon!

    by Ruth007 on 4/14/15Town Hall - New York

    Rhiannon and the Carolina Chocolate Drops rocked the house. Her voice is a true gift. Loved the show!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Rhiannon Giddens - magical

    by crssp on 4/13/15Town Hall - New York

    I have been to countless concerts in my life. None were better than this on. What a rare combination of technical skill and a beautiful voice with the ability to interpret a variety of songs. Wonderful artistry and excellent band. Truly a concert that elevated my spirit and remained with me for days following.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    A star in the making

    by FarRock on 4/13/15Town Hall - New York

    Rhiannon Giddens is amazing! There is no other way to describe her. Check her tour dates and go.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    A voice beyond compare

    by Sleepmd on 4/13/15Town Hall - New York

    A terrific concert in a terrific venue! Rhiannon steps into the solo limelight with an enhanced version of the Carolina Chocolate Drops as her band. The song selection reflects a reverence for traditional soul, jazz, and Americana and Ms. Giddens clearly frames them as an homage to her roots and many inspirations. The band was in great form with some very solid performances particularly by the rythme section. This coupled with a very passionate and talented vocalist made for an extremely enjoyable evening. One observation about the show I must share. This very talented artist would share a brief monologue between songs which is of tremendous value in developing a rapport and bond with the audience. Disconcertingly the guitarist repeatedly tuned his instrument during each monologue reducing their effectiveness. This is an amateurish practice and should be curtailed.