Dom Flemons Offers Free Download of "What Got Over" EP

Carolina Chocolate Drops alum and talented multi-instrumentalist Dom Flemons is offering a free download of his What Got Over EP through May. After the free download period, the EP will be available in the following stores. Here's Flemons describing how the EP evolved.

When I recorded Prospect Hill back in January 2014, I knew from the beginning that I would have a lot of extra songs. Overall, we recorded about 30 tracks and I was only able to include a portion of these on the final album. On my What Got Over EP I present a few tracks that I felt were too good to leave in the vault. Included on this EP are also a few alternates to the main tracks I picked for Prospect Hill—versions in which I experimented with the sound and instrumentation but in the end they didn’t make the final cut.
Enjoy this companion as one more testament to 2014: The Year of the Folksinger with the hope that the music will push on! We all can use a few extra sets of hands to help in the cause of making good honest music. I want to present this collection as a thank you to all the fans and lovers of good music. This one is for you! Catch you all down the road!

And these songs are too good to leave in the vault. First timers would never guess these are contemporary songs; full of old time instruments and a throwback vocals. The harp laced electric blues in Clock on the Wall is an exception; actually a terrific exception and a new side to Flemons I've never heard.  The remainder of the EP is pure Flemons the historian. Go listen.

Album Review: Rhiannon Giddens - Tomorrow Is My Turn

A Facebook post by Breezy Peyton (The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band) reminded me that Rhiannon Giddens just released her debut solo album, Tomorrow Is My Turn. Produced by T Bone Burnett, the album features former Carolina Chocolate Drops partner Hubby J. Jenkins (banjo, guitar or mandolin), Malcolm Parson (cello), Rowan Corbett (bones & banjo), Jamie Dick (drums), and Jason Sypher (bass).  That's quite a supporting cast and Ms. Giddens augments their sound with  Just take a listen to "She's Got You".  This reminds me of the "wow" factor when sipping an extraordinary wine.  Strong, bluesy, sexy vocals - would make Patsy Cline proud.  Another song that speaks to me is the Celtic influences in "O Love is Teasin'". Must be Rowan Corbett's influences. The talent of the backing band is in full display on the opening track "Last Kind Words". Pretty tight. And stay to the end with "Angel City" to hear how they can also slow it down with a fine, soft ballad.   Pair with western Carolina's Calaboose Cellars. Cheers.

Dom Flemons is the "American Songster" and our National Musical Historian

We were fortunate to have Grace & Tony (check out their new CD November) invite us to Jammin' Java to hear them open for the very talented Dom Flemons of the Carolina Chocolate Drops.  Flemons bills himself as " the 'American Songster,' pulling from traditions of old-time folk music to create new sounds". I have no argument with that description; all it takes is attending one performance or listening to American Songster. In fact he is our National Musical Historian. Who else has mastered the banjo, guitar, harmonica, fife, bones, bass drum, snare drum and quills? Who else covers lost musicians from the first half of the 19th century like Flemons and brings them to life as his own. Who else can get my son's undivided attention for an entire hour - now that's talent. (Truth be told, The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band can as well). Pair with Music Maker Relief Foundation and brews from Mystery Brewing Company.

Who's Going to DelFest?

DelFest is here. Well almost; the actual festival is Memorial Weekend (May 23-26); but the lineup is here. And what an awesome lineup it is. Two sets from Trey, Del McCoury, Old Crow, Yonder Mountain, Trampled, the Stringdusters and CCD. Plus the Masters of Bluegrass (Del McCoury, Bobby Osborne, J.D. Crowe, Bobby Hicks, and Jerry McCoury). There's no doubt that I'm finally going to head to Cumberland Maryland for this festival. Three day tickets are $140.

The Del McCoury Band
Trey Anastasio Band (2 sets) • Old Crow Medicine Show
Yonder Mountain String Band • The Masters of Bluegrass
Trampled By Turtles • Carolina Chocolate Drops
The Travelin’ McCourys • The Infamous Stringdusters
Greensky Bluegrass • The Campbell Brothers
Sarah Jarosz • Pikelny, Sutton, McCoury, Bulla & Bales
Davisson Brothers Band • Larry Keel and Natural Bridge
Elephant Revival • Missy Raines and The New Hip
The Rambling Rooks • Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band
Hackensaw Boys • Joe Craven
Mamajowali • Spirit Family Reunion • Blue Mafia
and more TBA!

Béla Fleck & The Original Flecktones\with The Carolina Chocolate Drops @ Wolf Trap - Filene Center

On Monday, July 10th we say a triple treat at the Wolf Trap: Abigail Washburn & The Village, followed by the Carolina Chocolate Drops followed by  Béla Fleck & The Original Flecktones.  We arrived in time to hear the last few songs from Washburn and were surprised to see Odessa Jorgenson, formerly of Bearfoot, as part of the Village. This was interesting, Chinese songs, played to a fiddle, harp, drums, and guitar. Well not all Chinese, just a couple - but entertaining.


Our main focus was to see Grammy winner Carolina Chocolate Drops who is sporting a new look. Founding member, Justin Robinson, has left the trio and returned to school; but Dom Flemons and Rhiannon Giddens remain. And true to Robinson's words: “Tradition is a guide, not a jailer. We play in an older tradition but we are modern musicians.” - they added two more modern musicians Hubby Jenkins and Adam Matta. Both are from New York City, with Jenkins a multi-instrumentalist similar to Flemons. Matta adds a unique talent - a beatboxer - able to generate all sorts of rhythm. Need a train sound? He's your man. A bass. No problem Just superb. I really liked the new look and sound, inventive yet still honoring the past. Plus how many bands can feature two bones players. The Carolina Chocolate Drops is a must see act. We have another chance at the end of the month at Floydfest. Can't wait soon enough.

As for Bela Fleck and the Flectones, what can you say when the band includes Fleck,  Victor Wooten, Roy "Futureman" Wooten, and Howard Levy. You should see Futureman's new invention - a hand held instrument resembling a guitar the sounds as if he's pounding on the drum kit. And his little brother, a bass icon.And let's not forget Fleck, who has been nominated for a Grammy in more categories than any other musician. Plus, he plays an electric five string banjo. How cool is that.

Photos of the show are available at the MyJoog Facebook page.