Customer Reviews

Carolina Chocolate Drops & Joe Thompson

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Carolina Chocolate Drops put on an energetic live show, and get an enthusiastic response from the audience when they show up here. The music may be old-timey, but when they are on-stage, it never feels antiquated. The band is not overly polished and comes prepared to party. This is an excellent document of a 2008 appearance at Merlefest. The young string band is joined by the 90-year old legend and inspiration, Joe Thomson, who may be the last fiddler in this class. Although many of the songs can be found on their studio releases, these are unique performances. The set may be a little on the short side, but the nine songs are well-recorded and could be a complete document from this festival.

this cd was not a rip-off at all for me. i saw this set at merlefest and am glad to have the recording of it. for me, anything that documents joe thompson makes it a worth-while purchase. he just might be the last guy standing. another consideration is the recording being released by music maker. this is a wonderful organization that has done much to help musicians. if you're not familiar with them, please check them out. and have a nice day.

This CD pairs the CCDs with their 90 year old musical mentor

Every song is perfect. Joe Thompson is in perfect form. Not too long just about 30 minutes, like a perfect LP.

The Drops open up the set with some numbers then fly along with Joe. What remarkable moment for Joe Thompson to have carried his ancestors music for generations and then have it uplifted and carried on by these stunning kids.

I had heard the Carolina Chocolate Drops on public television, and knew I wanted to hear more. So when they appeared in concert at Western Carolina Univ., I jumped at the chance to hear them. I'm glad I did! This was one of the most joyous live concerts I ever attended! They had the audience shouting and standing in the aisles and dancing.
In my exuberance, I bought this recording at the concert. I didn't have a chance to read the fine print and notice that this was the CCD with Joe Thompson. When I played it, I was dejected. What I experienced at the concert was not what was on this recording. Instead, it was Joe playing and talking with backup from the CCD, and support from former band member Suli. Now don't get me wrong. Joe is a legendary musician. The music is fine. But if you want to hear the CCD at their best, don't get this recording. If have to have everything they ever recorded, or want to hear Joe, you may want to get this recording.
Otherwise, stick with the recordings that just have the three gifted musicians.
Another complaint I share with other reviewers of the recording is that it is only 30 minutes long. Until I read this, I didn't realize it was so short. Probably I was so dissappointed, I didn't care it was so short. A 30 minute recording for $15 is a rip-off.
I plan on getting more of the CCD recordings, such as "Genuine Negro Gig" or "Dona...". And I look forward to seeing them again in concert, with their new group.

if you like music that makes you tap your feet, you will want this cd

The passing of the torch. The title of this review is a play on the Muddy Waters lp with the rockers who he inspired called "Fathers & Sons."

In this case, the beloved heroes of American Roots Music, the CCD, plays onstage at Merlefest on April 25, 2008 with their mentor, 90 year old fiddler Joe Thompson, who played for square dances and the like since the 1920s. The CCDs spent a lot of time learning Mr. Thompson's music and they get ot do it together for this live set (original Sankofa Sounds member Sule Greg Wilson is also along for the ride).

"Memphis Shakedown" has gained You tube infamy for Rhiannon Gidden's amazing kazoo performance on this tune. Joe takes the floor with his proteges for classic folk chestnuts as "John Henry" and "Old Joe Clark". There are a couple of special moments where Mr. Thompson leads the group (and the audience) in a singalong of the hymn "I Shall Not Be Moved" and he then happily recalls his days as a square dance caller before breaking into "Old Corn Liquor" (a tad slower than the version on the CCD's "Dona Got a Ramblin Mind" Cd). But as he does this tune with our heroes, you can almost see the old man being trnasported back into time and partying like it's 1929 as he pulls some mean bow and "calls figgers" (a form of country rap where he gives the dancers rhymed instructions for the square dance, FYI).

(SIDENOTE-It's interesting to note that in the group shot in the Cd, Mr. Thompson and Sankofa Strings member Sule Greg Wilson are wearing Obama stickers. Wonder how this 90 year old Black man born during the depths of segregation felt after the election)?

That aside, after listening to this you feel as if you've been an audio witness to something really special, as the old man must have felt as he was onstage to gain his due and share in the CCD's and audience's admiration for his years of work, knowing that his art will carry on into the future. This spirit shines through on this CD and that along with Mr. Thompson's storytelling, the CCD's backing and singing, and the infectious joy of the crowd makes this a surefire purchase. Good for what ails ya.

Another live concert rip-off, disc runs for 30 minutes. This should be a bonus disc to a studio release.