REVIEW: Dona Got A Ramblin' Mind

Carolina Chocolate Drops
Dona Got a Ramblin’ Mind
© 2006 Music Maker
www.carolinachocolatedrops.com

The Carolina Chocolate Drops stand out in the world of old-time string bands for many reasons, with two of the most prominent being age and race; in a field widely associated with older, Caucasian performers, this trio of young, African-American musicians bring not only a much-needed vitality, but a deliberate reminder of the importance of black musicians to American folk music.


The Chocolate Drops’ retinue is composed mostly of traditional African American string band music; the music of a tradition that has nearly died out. Indeed, many of their songs were learned directly from one of the only surviving masters, Joe Thompson. It is this sound—which relies predominantly on fiddle, guitar, and banjo—that is most represented on Dona Got a Ramblin’ Mind. While the album lacks some of their more recent original tunes and their concert-favorite cover of Blu Cantrell’s ”Hit ‘Em Up Style”, it is nonetheless a good sampling, ranging from energetic dances, to Piedmont-style blues, to folk ballads.

A band renowned primarily for their live shows, The Carolina Chocolate Drop’s greatest strength is not simply that they play these classic songs well, but that they play them with a passion and energy rarely heard from old-time musicians. Most of these songs are dance songs, and they do not let you forget that. Give at least the first song of the below video (which contains an entire live concert) a listen. Don’t be surprised if you have trouble sitting still...


They have attempted to bottle lightning with Dona Got a Ramblin’ Mind. The simple problem is that this style of music—like all forms of dance music—is intended to be enjoyed live. Compared to their live performances, this studio-recorded album is shorn of much of The Chocolate Drops’ spontaneity, energy, and sheer passion. It is a testament to both the band’s skill and the quality of the source material that, even with these handicaps, Dona Got a Ramblin’ Mind remains a well-crafted and highly enjoyable album.

STRONGLY RECCOMENED IF… you enjoy folk music in general, and particularly old-time. As well as being competent, enthusiastic musicians, The Carolina Chocolate Drops serve as folk historians, preserving a nearly lost style of American folk. See them live if you can. Buy the album if you can’t.

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