Rhiannon Giddens is the whole package. She possesses a uniquely beautiful, expressive voice, range, songwriting brilliance, an intuitive understanding of how to approach every line and note. On top of that she is a deft instrumentalist, historian, world-class beauty and tremendous stage presence. A goddess.
Most modern banjos use steel strings and plastic for the head, exaggerating the banjo twang. A softer and more traditional sound (a richer sound, in my opinion) comes from banjos using nylon or gut for the strings and hide for the head. She's playing with a traditional clawhammer style in which the fingernails strike the strings rather than plucking.
This is deep, soulful, from the heart of beauty and pain. The story speaks to us all, generation after generation...............Simply brilliant in all ways. Rhiannon is such a perfect vessel. Beautiful.
Why would anyone give a thumbs down. I will bet you not a one of them can sing or play the banjo. People sure are defective creatures and unreasonable.
Understated, clean, elegant, genuine. I was thinking this was a traditional, I see by the notes above (thank you for them!) that Rhiannon composed this using a memoir as inspiration, it's so well conceived.
Maybe, MAYBE, one day I will be able to listen to this song and not tear up. This is probably the 20th or 30th time and not even close. I heard you sing it once live, Ms. Giddens, and you are an American Treasure.
That's some powerful storytelling right there! She's got a hell of a lot of heart and soul and you can see she feels every word she sings as it came from a place of struggle from the 19th century's slave's memoir! Shame about the sound, but thanks for the link to the corrected version and thanks for the upload or I wouldn't have discovered this masterpiece! :)
This is beautiful and beautifully performed. Folk music will always be necessary because it helps us lament and recount and grieve and celebrate. It makes us see through honest plain spoken means how we are attached to the earth and to each other-- for bad or good. Thank you so much for sharing this.
I have been a huge fan for several years now first seeing you with the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Thank you for your renditions of traditional bluegrass music and for your most excellent original music.
Jesus! What a VOICE, what a SONG, what a PERFORMANCE, what a tasty, soulful bit of BANJO PLAYIN". I'm jealous, envious, gobsmacked and thrilled by the artistry here.
Shout out to the OTS, really miss the old Folk & Roots festival. Square Roots just doesn't cut it IMO, now it's just another crowded street festival. Sooooo much better when they set up in Welles Park and you could spread your blankets out and bring the whole family for a day in the park. Not so easy any more to bring the wee ones and the old folks when it's just a big old crowded street with no where to set up camp.
My godness.. Her voice makes the hair on my arms stand straight up. I felt her energy flow through meI was listening to NPR in the car when one of her songs came on. I had to know who she was and had to hear more
I love Rhiannon's singing and playing. I'm reclaimimg my dad's banjo (been in attic for years unplayed) and trying out this stark, bare and beautiful style, playing on only one or two strings. Thankyou
Thank you for posting this. Before today, I never knew this talented women existed. Ms.Giddens' music deserves more attention from this music lover. Great voice!
Eu sou brasileiro e prefiro me expressar na minha língua materna. Essa jovem tem um talento de natureza impar. A forma de se expressar e de soltar a voz é impressionante. Eu, particularmente, me apaixonei pelo seu modo simples de mostrar o difícil.
Wow. That was just amazing. The last few lines really express the pain and suffering: "That trunk of gold Is what you got when my children you sold. Mistress, oh mistress, Don't you cry. The price of stayin' here is too high. Mistress, oh mistress, I wish you well, But in leavin' here, I'm leavin' hell."
Rhiannon has one of the most magical voices in the music industry in my opinion . And so talented with instruments as well ! So cool. I have several of her CD's. The lady is pure magic.
OMG -- Though I've watched this performance a dozen or more times, I never before noticed that Rhiannon is playing a fretless banjo! She is amazing. This song gives me chills! I can't wait to catch her in concert...preferably at The Ryman.
Love everything about this. She's obviously a natural musician who has worked very hard to develop her craft. The result is magical music that just sucks me in.
This is awesome! And i can't get over the fretless banjo and what looks to be nylon strings. Great voice and such talented songwriting. Can't wait to see more from this woman!
I am so proud of my new generation of young people. They will tell the story and bring the honest, raw truth of the pain of the legacy we have. I feel like my last years on earth although painful, will be peaceful. :-)
@@bza069 Their own fault? Descendants of slaves have been kept down, disenfranchised, lynched in every generation. My black family have had to break their backs to get what's been handed to my white family.
Big fan of Rhiannon and everything she has done solo and with the carolina chocolate drops, and I absolutely love the gut strung minstrel banjo, used to great effect here for a very powerful song. Thanks for posting it, but my right ear is jealous and wishes it could enjoy the performance also.
That was a mistake in the original posting. I put a link to a better version in the description box under the video. Here it is: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzlVc...
Can I be the second to say how mighty fine this is? Found this by mistake and holy cowboy, she totally caught me off guard. Amazing. Was not expecting such awesomeness!!!
blues and ballads , I've head few. It's not often one bring tears to my eye. It's her voice. It's her song. She wrote it and she sings it. Someone else might learn the song and sing it, but it won't be the same.
tears of both joy and sadness come to my eyes while i'm listening to this powerful and beautiful song. It's been YEARS that my old blues fan's heart didn't skip a beat for a singer this way.
This woman is an American National Treasure what talent, depth and soul she weaves into her musical tapestries
Why isn't this talented woman super famous?
Deep sadness & deep feelings in this woman, which make her so special and loving. Thank you Rhiannon for what you give us.
Wow... Fretless Banjo, beautiful voice, gorgeous talented woman... Did not expect to find something like this today...
Rhiannon Giddens is the whole package. She possesses a uniquely beautiful, expressive voice, range, songwriting brilliance, an intuitive understanding of how to approach every line and note. On top of that she is a deft instrumentalist, historian, world-class beauty and tremendous stage presence. A goddess.
Decent instrumentalist
Agreed. Her talent is spellbinding!
really cute too.
yup
Gots to second that, sister.
This woman has more talent in her little toe than all the pop singers on radio today. She is a Amazing artist !!
I am a old school folkie,pre-hippie stuff ,it does my heart good to see this kind of music alive and well, Thank You
Most modern banjos use steel strings and plastic for the head, exaggerating the banjo twang. A softer and more traditional sound (a richer sound, in my opinion) comes from banjos using nylon or gut for the strings and hide for the head. She's playing with a traditional clawhammer style in which the fingernails strike the strings rather than plucking.
Thank you for remembering the ancestors and the suffering they went through and the music they brought from so far away.
This is deep, soulful, from the heart of beauty and pain. The story speaks to us all, generation after generation...............Simply brilliant in all ways. Rhiannon is such a perfect vessel. Beautiful.
I saw Rhiannon at the Cambridge Folk Festival today - a wonderful performance. Blown away!
Why would anyone give a thumbs down. I will bet you not a one of them can sing or play the banjo. People sure are defective creatures and unreasonable.
Understated, clean, elegant, genuine.
I was thinking this was a traditional, I see by the notes above (thank you for them!) that Rhiannon composed this using a memoir as inspiration, it's so well conceived.
Such a beautiful woman with a gorgeous voice first time I have seen or heard her I just love her thank you from Australia
Maybe, MAYBE, one day I will be able to listen to this song and not tear up. This is probably the 20th or 30th time and not even close. I heard you sing it once live, Ms. Giddens, and you are an American Treasure.
This is real music, this is real art, this is real talent!
This is beyond craft. The angels must love this woman.
William Cutlip beyond craft.... well said!!!
William Cutlip It is as if she’s channeling these slaves. She’s remarkable. The angels prob do love her - I certainly do!
beyond craft indeed it is, nicely said, sir.
Voice sounds like she is an angel .
she is an angel
That's some powerful storytelling right there! She's got a hell of a lot of heart and soul and you can see she feels every word she sings as it came from a place of struggle from the 19th century's slave's memoir! Shame about the sound, but thanks for the link to the corrected version and thanks for the upload or I wouldn't have discovered this masterpiece! :)
Of sweet strings and banjos, this is an epic Masterpiece both in theme & tune plus her sterling performance, I'M IN AWE, thank you
Ms. Giddons, I just watched you on a PBS show for country music. I am blown away by your talent and grace. Wow! Thank you for sharing!
This is beautiful and beautifully performed. Folk music will always be necessary because it helps us lament and recount and grieve and celebrate. It makes us see through honest plain spoken means how we are attached to the earth and to each other-- for bad or good. Thank you so much for sharing this.
She can compose, sing, and play. What a talent.
I just discovered this beautiful and talented girl. Makes tears come to my eyes.
Amazing and deeply compelling. I can't believe I've never heard of Rhiannon Giddens until now!
Where have I been to miss this Gem of astonishing music and talent. 👑
No one should have this much talent, depth, passion, skill, and beauty. Incredible.
I agree! This young singer pulls the soul out of my ears and makes it dance! Wonderful!!!
The way she performed this song and it's ending hits your heart like a sledgehammer. Way too awesome!!! 😥👍
I have been a huge fan for several years now first seeing you with the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Thank you for your renditions of traditional bluegrass music and for your most excellent original music.
Jesus! What a VOICE, what a SONG, what a PERFORMANCE, what a tasty, soulful bit of BANJO PLAYIN". I'm jealous, envious, gobsmacked and thrilled by the artistry here.
magnifique voix, claire et à la fois profonde
The words are so powerful and brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful.
I'm teary eyed myself..SO POWERFUL!
yes we are a big family
Her voice is so beautiful! I only heard her for the first time yesterday. Incredible!
Wow. I have listened to this many times, and each time it blows me away. So glad you are getting the recognition you deserve!
simply love this fellow southerner. God bless
She can sing so good and you can feel the emotion of the song through her voice. Loved it
These cruel things happened - again and again. A powerful song distilling so much pain in simple words.
Simply stunning music, as always.
I teach at the Old Town School of Folk Music. I love you, your singing, and picking give me chills.
Shout out to the OTS, really miss the old Folk & Roots festival. Square Roots just doesn't cut it IMO, now it's just another crowded street festival. Sooooo much better when they set up in Welles Park and you could spread your blankets out and bring the whole family for a day in the park. Not so easy any more to bring the wee ones and the old folks when it's just a big old crowded street with no where to set up camp.
Something this perfect should come out of both speakers. I can only imagine how powerful this would be live.
It is powerful live. And sorry about the single-channel upload, but TH-cam doesn't provide for replacing videos. We'll put a correct version on Vimeo.
vimeo.com/103173105
Will & Deni Films it's not truly single channel, there is a slight but of audio coming in through the right
Sorry for the delay. Here: th-cam.com/video/rzlVc4aumg4/w-d-xo.html
She sings light into the heart of American music.
You have reached al the way across the Atlantic.....and twisted my gut ....hauntingly beautiful, thank you
The sound and the way she puts her heart into it, it's like she's in a different day and time. Awesome, thanks.
Why hasn't anybody notified me about this Goddess until now ?.
My godness.. Her voice makes the hair on my arms stand straight up. I felt her energy flow through meI was listening to NPR in the car when one of her songs came on. I had to know who she was and had to hear more
I love Rhiannon's singing and playing. I'm reclaimimg my dad's banjo (been in attic for years unplayed) and trying out this stark, bare and beautiful style, playing on only one or two strings. Thankyou
Thank you for posting this. Before today, I never knew this talented women existed. Ms.Giddens' music deserves more attention from this music lover. Great voice!
So good!!! Brought here by accident. I will be back!
Eu sou brasileiro e prefiro me expressar na minha língua materna. Essa jovem tem um talento de natureza impar. A forma de se expressar e de soltar a voz é impressionante. Eu, particularmente, me apaixonei pelo seu modo simples de mostrar o difícil.
Oh wow...
I am blown away,
extraordinary piece of music and and extraordinary recital!
Wow. That was just amazing.
The last few lines really express the pain and suffering:
"That trunk of gold
Is what you got when my children you sold.
Mistress, oh mistress,
Don't you cry.
The price of stayin' here is too high.
Mistress, oh mistress,
I wish you well,
But in leavin' here, I'm leavin' hell."
Fantastic. Simply stunning voice, music artfully crafted, and lyrics that roll in emotions. Thank you for sharing this.
Rhiannon has one of the most magical voices in the music industry in my opinion . And so talented with instruments as well ! So cool. I have several of her CD's. The lady is pure magic.
Rhiannon Giddens a gem
Greetings from Dublin Ireland brother and sisters please come HERE
OMG -- Though I've watched this performance a dozen or more times, I never before noticed that Rhiannon is playing a fretless banjo! She is amazing. This song gives me chills! I can't wait to catch her in concert...preferably at The Ryman.
such a beautiful voice, simply beautiful.
Love everything about this. She's obviously a natural musician who has worked very hard to develop her craft. The result is magical music that just sucks me in.
Beautiful and sad! Gives me the chills, it's so good!
Great Job Rhiannon!!! Real Americana... and such a great voice!!! I Love it!!!
This is awesome! And i can't get over the fretless banjo and what looks to be nylon strings. Great voice and such talented songwriting. Can't wait to see more from this woman!
I was introduced to this bright light at 2017 New Orleans Jazz Festival. WOW!
WOW!!!
Goosebumps from the Heart!!! Thank you fer the share n beautiful sounds from above.
Still think you are astounding singer and instrumentalist. And so beautiful.
An absolutely amazing singer and instrumentalist, plus a wonderful song to boot!!
I love history remembered in song. It's an old, old tradition, and it keeps the stories alive. Wonderful.
I Love this ! Great Lyrics, Great Musician and overall a great performance !
What talent . Would love to see her in concert I am hooked. Her singing and playing all the different instruments is incredible .
I've seen her twice with the Chocolate Drops. Amazing.
Rhiannon Giddens is the first person in my life that brought tears to my eyes when she sang.
Poignant..beautifully done...thanks Rhiannon..
Wow... just WOW! Congratulation self for finding Rhiannon!!!
I am so proud of my new generation of young people. They will tell the story and bring the honest, raw truth of the pain of the legacy we have. I feel like my last years on earth although painful, will be peaceful. :-)
bza069 What is like living your life as a racist. It sounds exhausting. Thoughts and prayers for a swift recovery :)
@@bza069 Their own fault? Descendants of slaves have been kept down, disenfranchised, lynched in every generation. My black family have had to break their backs to get what's been handed to my white family.
Big fan of Rhiannon and everything she has done solo and with the carolina chocolate drops, and I absolutely love the gut strung minstrel banjo, used to great effect here for a very powerful song. Thanks for posting it, but my right ear is jealous and wishes it could enjoy the performance also.
That was a mistake in the original posting. I put a link to a better version in the description box under the video. Here it is: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzlVc...
I'm seeing her concert in two weeks and I CAN'T WAIT!
How can I like and dislike at the same time? By hearing the lyrics to "Julie" from the song's beginning to end. Saddens my soul and warms my heart?
Gave me goosebumps! Powerful song.
Wonderful composition, wonderful performance.
Amazing voice....and drop-dead gorgeous...the kind of beauty that strikes a man stupid.
Haunting. Gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it.
She honors the old long truths of these words and music without merchandising or tarting it up. That is beyond rare in these times.
Awesome ballad, great picking and voice! Thanks!
Incredible!!!!!! She is a national treasure.
Just found this, what a star, amazing voice and presence truly gifted
She moves me! There is always someone in each generation that gives us hope for the next!!
Incredible work! Don't ever stop what you're doing!!
Such an NC original. We are so proud of her. The truth will set you free
Can I be the second to say how mighty fine this is? Found this by mistake and holy cowboy, she totally caught me off guard. Amazing. Was not expecting such awesomeness!!!
blues and ballads , I've head few. It's not often one bring tears to my eye. It's her voice. It's her song. She wrote it and she sings it. Someone else might learn the song and sing it, but it won't be the same.
Love your music and your voice. I really wasn't sure the course the song would take at first and was a little shocked till towards the end. 💞
Unbelievably powerful.
A true gift to the world. Unique talent, pure beauty and a musical wonder. I could listen to her for hours.
tears of both joy and sadness come to my eyes while i'm listening to this powerful and beautiful song. It's been YEARS that my old blues fan's heart didn't skip a beat for a singer this way.
Thank you for sharing your gift with us.I am truly grateful for this experience.I am so happy i randemly found you on utube.You are a hidden 💎.
She's astounding
So very talented. Love your voice and picking!
Oh wow. The playing's good, but when she started to sing, oh my. I'm loving this girl.
Talented young lady. She has a new fan, thanks!
old school perfection , thanks rhi !!
A facebook post of Elizabeth Cotton led me to Rhiannon Giddens. 2 wonderful discoveries in 1 day.
Can I be the first to say how mighty fine this is ?! Thanks for sharing .
andy trott and a fretless banjo too. Not the most common of instruments.
Minstrel Banjo
my favorite song since Doc Watson's Country Blues
Incredible tones from the banjo. Awesome.
Rupert Harrison het
So glad I've been introduced to this incredible artist that Rhiannon Giddens is.