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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.
Rhiannon Giddons is a true artist... She's bringing many types of music together, and keeping some really important work alive through her modern interpretation and performance. All of the musicians were terrific, and I love how she tells the story throughout the show - through her words and her music.
Rhiannon and the Chocolate Drops are amazing, and they put together a great show with high performance value!
We were absolutely enthralled by her spirit and her fellow performers. We look forward to seeing her talent grow and her star rise as more people are exposed to her beautiful voice. Keep pushing your way to the top. We will enjoy watching and listening.
There are a few times in your life when you know you have experienced a true moment of greatness, and this concert will always stand out as one of the best live performances we have ever seen and heard. Rhiannon Giddens touched our hearts, and she and her outstanding band took us on an unforgettable, joyful musical tour.
I would not buy another ticket to see Giddens as a headliner. I would see her at a festival.
One of the best shows I've ever been to! Rhiannon is simply an incredible talent and seems to be a beautiful person.
Great Artist and Great Performance....Very Much worth the ticket price.
ABSOLUETLY GREAT, everything I expected from her. It was a great show, her sincere audience appreciation came through loud and clears.
Every once in a while you see a truly special performance. U2 warming up for Todd Rundgren, Pink Floyd with floating animals and this show. Truly a special event.
I put name to voice together when Rhiannon Giddens performed on the Prairie Home Companion. Coincidentally, almost immediately after her performance on that popular NPR radio program, I got the announcement that she would be appearing at the Carolina Theater, and I wasted no time in getting a ticket. And am I glad I did. Ms. Giddens' choice of music is quirky, varied, and interesting - a perfect showcase for her amazing versatility and vocal range. The use of light stacks on the stage was incredibly effective - in one song, for example (perhaps the song by Odetta?) as Ms. Giddens motioned in a certain direction, gold lights flashed simultaneously as if she were hurling the light with her arms. For more intimate, bistro-like numbers, the lights were blue and purple, providing the ambiance of a small club. The backup band was exceptional. I thoroughly enjoyed the show.
I did not exactly know what to expect last night in Durham for her solo show. I shouldn't have had any concerns. First, I am familiar with her new solo album produced by T-Bone Burnette and think it is top notch. It is a bit all over the map however with songs associated with such a wide variety of artists as Nina Simone, Dolly Parton, Odetta, Patsy Cline, Geeshie Wiley, Libba Cotten and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Second, her backing musicians are her three current mates from the Carolina Chocolate Drops plus a top notch bassist and drummer. The show was wonderful and a delightful showcase for her album. The disparate styles of music represented by the songs were pulled together in performance and her winning personality came through clearly on the stage. The fact that the show was about 50 miles from her hometown (the closest she gets on this tour--about the same distance as the Charlotte show the night before--and that there were family members in the audience) certainly didn't hurt. She opened with a couple of songs from The New Basement Tapes album whereby she took words written by Bob Dylan in the 1960's and put her tune to them. Then she moved on to her album, surprisingly performing the songs that would have been expected to be show highlights right at the beginning. No matter. All the songs from the new album were highlights. Throw in a few Chocolate Drops songs (one performed by the other Chocolate Drops with her off stage) and an old blues/gospel number or two and you have a fine show. Still the top highlight was her vocal workout on a medley of Scottish Gaelic songs which is always a highlight of Chocolate Drops shows. My only criticism is that the drums were a bit too loud. This was a problem at the last show I saw at the Carolina Theatre (Justin Townes Earle last September). Perhaps the artists don't realize how well the sound carries in this venue and they don't realize the drums come across so loud. If I were the sound man, I would have her voice on top of the mix instead down in it with the instruments.
Rhiannon Giddens put on a fantastic show at the Carolina Theatre. I was so pleased that the venue is small enough to be intimate yet big enough to showcase fantastic light shows during Rhiannon's set. I was very impressed with this show (opening act was impressive as well) and feel that I got my money's worth and then some.
Rhiannon and her band played numbers from the New Basement Tapes, her new solo album, from the Carolina Chocolate Drops albums and a few others that I've seen/heard on youtube. She (and her band) is amazing. One of a kind. Will try to see her again.
Best show I saw in decades! What a voice, what a band! Absolutely fabulous!
Great voice! Great performance by very talented musicians. Can't wait to hear them again.
Do not miss this performer. She is the real deal. Amazing.
One of the most amazing concerts I have seen in years. Rhiannon has a command of the stage that holds you spellbound and her band is in perfect sync. She doesn't just cover the music of some great artists, she transforms it into her own with the voice of an angel. The artists that are still alive must be truly honored that Rhiannon has chosen to sing their music and the artists that are no longer with us must be smiling down from heaven. I want to thank the Carolina Theater for bringing Rhiannon to their stage and I want to thank Rhiannon for introducing us to the music of some talented artists from the past in a way that leaves your heart dancing, your feet moving and your eyes riveted to the stage... AMAZING!!!
This was one the best shows I have ever seen. Ms. Giddens voice is truly amazing. Her range is incredible, yet she never "over sang" any song. I hate it when a singer tries to include as many notes as possible when singing a word. She includes the Carolina Choc- olate Drops in her touring band, which was very wonderful. She did Country, Spiritual,Gaelic, and Country blues. If you are a fan of any live music at all, you should make the effort to see Ms. Giddens and her band. I really believe she is headed for superstardom. She is also very beautiful to watch. She is a trained opera singer, so you will rarely see a woman with her gift, singing outside an opera environment. She has so much more talent than Madonna, Taylor Swift, or Miley Cyrus. Please support this great American Treasure and see her and her great band perform.
What a treat to see the very first night of Rhiannon Giddens first ever solo tour! Truly an unforgettable evening. She and her band were incredible. We stayed around the product table after the concert so we could meet her. Rhiannon is a class act, a compliment to every genre she performs. We have already recommended this show to all of our friends. If you appreciate music you will enjoy the fun folk, gospel, blues inspired, jazz crossovers of this event. Rhiannon's voice is awe-inspiring and her musicianship is impressive. Band includes banjos, mandolins, guitars, fiddles, bones, drum kit, percussions, cello, upright bass, etc., etc. This is a family friendly, no gemmics required, class act great show. You will not be disappointed. Opening act Bhi Bhiman was just okay.
Really enjoyed her and the band totally. The Bass and Cello really added to it as well as the "Bones". Drummer and guitarist as well as one harmony singer ( Lauren ?) were also outstanding. Rhiannon has a unique, and soulful voice that I can listen to for hours.
