At The Purchaser's Option - Rhiannon Giddens at Augusta Vocal Week 2016

Filmed at the Augusta Heritage Center's Old Time and Vocal Week.
The Augusta Heritage Center of Davis & Elkins College is known internationally for teaching, presenting, and nurturing traditional music, folklife and folk arts. It is best known for intensive week-long workshops in traditional music, dance, craft, and folklore.
Concert Tickets: goo.gl/k6zhb8
2016 Course Catalog: goo.gl/nOaLt6
More Info: augustaheritagecenter.org/
Video by Bill Dudley: www.billdudley.com

[@DirectionlessStudent]

This woman is a unique American treasure. We are extremely fortunate that she has chosen to spend so much effort examining the roots and history of our music within the context of society and culture -- not just Black society and culture (although that has been overlooked for two centuries), but ALL American society and culture. If there were a Hall of Fame for beautiful people (not superficially, but souls), she would get in on the first ballot.

[@perrynay1533]

Beautiful

[@katherinerivera1280]

❤❤❤ soulful feeling blessed

[@reginablevins8550]

Her music definitely moves you. Sometimes to intense. But always feels true.

[@petermayslak4082]

I was in prison in West Virginia and heard Rhiannon on PBS. I heard this song and Julie. Fell in love. Never saw her but a voice from heaven. Used to play with the Carolina chocolate drops. She is exceptional

[@anjumalvi3038]

Highly an emphatic artist: she can put herself into the skin of those who had suffered. Even during the singing, she is immersed in that pain.

[@hubertsparks1855]

I'm a truck driver and love music,I listen to this song at least 20 times a day I love it so much.

[@elleb1326]

That song felt like it was channelled. Her performance was so focused or tranced, it was chilling!

[@renitagriffin6998]

...because it was

[@okiedragonlady2]

We owe so much to our black citizens - music, dance, etc. Just came from a kidney scan - performed by a kind young black women - who made me feel so comfortable.

[@dmcrun3572]

There is no America without African Americans

[@RobertaWalters]

Beat box over banjo and upright bass!! A musical dream going on here!

[@charlottesong7485]

I'm looking at your comment, thinking this lady is smart! Now I see you are an artist! Can't wait to listen to you. Stay sate in our own time of cholera...

[@diannevandivier4392]

So totally agree. I'm blown away

[@harvdog5669]

Keep up the good work I want to hear more of your music you got an ideal old-time folk song voice. Seriously looking forward to hearing more of you.

[@rstysound]

She truly plays from her soul and you can hear it in her music.

[@robdavis4527]

Amen to that

[@bradcoffey8984]

There are no words of praise that would do this justice.. Amazed..

[@patrickcummins8666]

She is so much more than a musician.... A beautiful ambassador for women and all of humanity.... What a gift to the world you are my dear! Thank you!

[@djosephj]

Settle down. She is merely the latest incarnation of Jimi Hendrix or whatever you wanna call the source of all good music!

[@waynej2608]

Yes. She's truly amazing.

[@francesdavis8635]

She is so wonderful and I love her voice, love her words.

[@donnareedfan]

Wonderful mix of beauty and power in her singing ... mesmerizing. Great songwriter too.

[@ghostmost2614]

Women don't need an ambassador. C'mon man.

[@carolynpetersmichener6377]

I took a class about African-American history through songs for a week at Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins WV. It was wonderful learning from her and singing with her. I remember being in the audience at this concert and this song touched my heart.

[@alejandroeyquem5232]

Que privilegio

[@roadrunner4404]

What an American jewel she is! I'm impressed on several levels and moved by her music, lyric, and style.

[@nedatkins4054]

She can make tears come into you eyes then make you jump for joy ! Wonderful !

[@davidkroll4360]

Some singers and songs burn a hole into your heart and soul. Need I say more !

[@roushentertainment5706]

Beautiful music from a Beautiful woman! Her music touchs the soul!

[@tagg976]

The intensity of her singing is only equalled by the intensity of the lyrics... truly amazing and deeply moving.

[@POLITIMICOST]

She was featured in the most recent Smithsonian Magazine. I had NO idea that she is such a music historian of southern music, especially that of black banjo players. When I saw her picture I said "That's the girl from Nashville!" completely unaware of her real accomplishments in musicology. Even her banjo is an older style, based more on the African instrument it descended from

[@daryutsu2726]

I just love this banjo. The sound is amazing. Soul touching.

[@Kassandra_]

@POLITIMICOST at least you heard of her. I am from Switzerland and "by accident" stumbled upon her & her amazing songs and voice 💕👍

[@ninobur1]

Rhiannon truly does the instrument justice. www.minstrelbanjo.com/LBrownbasicindex.html

[@sofresh37]

Wow. Thanks for sharing that! She is very methodical in her practice and performance then. What a well rounded and knowledgeable musician. I have so much more respect for her now.

[@anotherworld5612]

Is she black I hadn’t noticed

[@jeannie1renee2]

I hope the soul of that young Black woman is able to see from her resting place, as a young, free, Black woman sings a song about her and her babe. What would she think? Wouldn't she be amazed?

[@jeffreymrewis9647]

What a beautiful thought, Jeannie. I hope you're right.

[@NichtNameee]

What has black to do with anything? She's multi ethnic

[@seeingthepattern]

The beauty of what Jeannie said just went right over your head, didn’t it? That’s sad.

[@NichtNameee]

@@seeingthepattern you're sad

[@seeingthepattern]

Whatever, kid.

[@broaddusmarines]

Thank you Ken Burns for introducing me to this national treasure.

[@alisonjohnson1701]

The reason for this song that she give brought me instantly to tears.

[@darrylpokea2862]

Rhiannon, I see your eyes in trance back there with that woman and now with all of us who think they can own us.

[@victoriaeads6126]

Rhiannon Giddens, you are SO deeply talented. I would like to echo previous commentators: The Soul of that enslaved woman, should she hear your song, I hope would be able to find a measure of peace. This song is wrenching and beautiful.

[@Brainhoneywalker]

This powerful song distills a historic truth in a way volumes haven’t. Love the background of body sounds and that bass. It’s like a time travel.

[@harvdog5669]

I must say this is actually pretty powerful, I am proud to be an American I am proud to hang my American flag, I am proud to call this lady a fellow American I love what she's doing and I will continue to collect her music and if anybody tries to say else will stuff their head in the toilet. This is one of the best folk singers that I have ever heard in all my days and God has blessed her with a voice for doing so God bless America God bless this young folk song singer. Don't ever let anybody discourage you and don't let nothing come between you and music you are fantastic..

[@Dreaming_Gerd]

Its a fretless Banjo, isn't it or what? This is so great... Im totally in love...

[@poetmariachi]

Sultry and soulful and smooth. Man!! Excellent ekphrastic writing and fine execution of an orginal song. Simple and haunting. What a voice! Wow!

[@npalus8374]

You are light and pure power. Peace and love to you.

[@terrilandis4561]

Well, I have Ken Burns' Country Music series to thank for introducing me to her! I'm so glad to have found her and her band. What beautiful art. God bless!

[@riley124]

OMG this is real soul music. What a heartfelt performance. Brilliant lyrics.

[@bulldog19581]

Amazing! That banjo sounds so interesting.

[@Lynwood_Jackson]

Anyone else immediately start crying when she started singing?

[@seanpaulcurran]

Her music is so amazing live. I saw her in Portland OR in 2017 when she co headlined a tour with Aimee Mann, and she blew me away.

[@baradonna9205]

What the hell just happened. I have no words . Wow

[@johnoz1978]

Everything is perfect. The voice, the music, the story. Not often a song or artist can touch me to the depths of my soul. This has done it. Magnificent!!!!!

[@michaelknapp8961]

She is simply amazing!!!!!! When this virus thing goes away and we can somehow get back to normal I would love to see Rhiannon and her group play in concert. I’ve been watching a lot on KZbin.

[@da_midwesthebrew_1443]

This woman has the spirit of Judah. I've listened to her music and I know the soul and sound of Judah when I hear it and she definitley has it.

[@vincentkline5338]

This lady is powerful... her career did not happen overnight.

[@my4hvids]

I learned about her when she was in the group "Carolina Chocolate Drops". I was excited when she sang at the Boston Pops July Fourth Spectacular in 2019. Rhiannon Giddens can sing anything!

[@MsSherrydarling]

Hauntingly beautiful and sad. I stumbled onto this amazing artist on my side feed showing Irish folk music. She did "Wayfaring Stranger" beautifully and I also found her singing "La Vie en Rose". I am hooked!!

[@ukgraffitiwalker8846]

Me too, I want to discover similar music. I really love her. She is incredible. I brought 3 of her albums.

[@dennisrobison9995]

My soul aches for what was done in the cause of greed.... my lord, the abuse... forgive me Lord

[@trob9100]

HE forgives you. Thank you🙂

[@dBFunky]

Please please understand how the remnants, the legacy and the effects of slavery are not over. The cause of greed is alive and well, manifesting in more subtle, yet cruel ways. It's not about guilt or blame or the "bones in my body". It's about equality... meritocracy. And why we aren't there yet. History has shows us it will take forward-thinking white people joining people of color to continue moving in that direction.

[@geraldwilson3559]

There are no words, that would do her justice.

[@edmundstapleton467]

Love this tune.the woman who gave me music recommended it may the road go with you mary

[@muralbutton80andfreinds35]

This lady is an amazing talent but when she plays the banjo it is transcendental.

[@12StringHWY]

Holy dear God where did this girl come from with that voice!!!

[@blackmommaraven1579]

I could feel that pain in my D.N.A., what a great song

[@lovetothebone]

I am SO THANKFUL that this wonderful woman is keeping this memory of a most sad injustice alive !!!!!!

[@patrickcolvin4478]

Rhiannon you have such a lovely voice and are an excellent musician. Keep it going.

[@anthrop7998]

She's a genius. I wish I owned clearplay I'd just have her on repeat for everyone's morning drive on all their stations..

[@laurethjezebelle8707]

I think I enjoy watching her channel the "character" of the song the most. She does it here. In this video, you can see her transport her own soul to that long-forgotten woman's soul and empathize with her experience. It is pretty amazing.

[@peterrandall9523]

There's a lot going on here. Music, history, love and pain. Very amazing and touching too. All the best from UK.

[@splehcar]

Powerful, powerful lyrics presented so simply. Lyrical melody sung tenderly and simply. My heart breaks.

[@tedgoerner4189]

That's a beautiful banjo and it matches her look and style perfectly. Great song. Heartfelt and compelling

[@knoll9812]

Love the sound but a sod to play

[@ShirleyOToole]

Profoundly moving, thank you for the story behind the song as well as for the song itself.

[@davidk8760]

Thank you beautiful people for sharing true emotions what can i say words not enough to thank you for sharing.

[@woudgy]

Heartbreaking. And it becomes more heartbreaking when you reflect on how this cruelty lives on today in new forms.

[@Dr.Pepper001]

So much talent in this world that I'm just recently discovering.

[@dha1078]

I was at this show...one of the best!

[@sw4653]

She’s the best thing that could’ve happened to bluegrass music. Her IBMA address was absolutely stunning. This genre has a stereotype (and many adherents to) of racism. The way she is actively educating through her music is wonderful.

[@bozzskaggs112]

Bluegrass began as a bi-racial music.

[@mattpike5264]

Majority of people I know don't understand the level of skill required to play truly great bluegrass

[@laynegibbs1097]

Shannon Yerton Check out Kaia Kater if you haven’t already. You’ll be glad you did.

[@danielsouth9212]

Bluegrass, R&B, Soul, Rock and Country all have the same roots. It’s nothing short of wonderful to hear her put them back together!

[@CarlChristensen64]

@jon dough all the best music is woke

[@giseerouchon]

Glorious (and tragic) song. And that bass!

[@lindamon5101]

Epic! Thankyou! Best music i have heard in a looong time! Standing ovation& this is 🏅🏅🏅💜👂👀🙏🤩👏👏👏👏👏💐💐💐💐💐

[@randyjones6138]

You improve every song you perform, with your beautiful voice, but it's your amazing spirit that shines through and makes every song you sing a soul touching experience that uplifts our hearts. Thank you!!!

[@ezryder84]

Wow! I'm literally lost for words! Love her beautiful voice!

[@deeliciousplum]

A difficult and weighing heavily on the heart piece and with such breathtaking tone. This is the first Rhiannon Giddens piece that I have listened to. Definitely will explore her musical art and storytelling. 🌻

[@gdionwood]

What an incredible talent this beautiful lady is! I have a wish! Maybe they both will read this and do it: I wish to see Rhiannon in a co-operation with the equally beautiful and talented Tracy Chapman! Wouldn't that be something?

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

Wow!! ...just wow!!

[@JungleJoeVN]

I love her singing, everything about her.

[@hopewolfe7911]

Damn! That's deep and I love it!!!

[@10Bones01]

Rhiannon: You have a real gift, my dear. A, real, gift.

[@boneheded2819]

She doesn't have a gift, she is a gift.

[@10Bones01]

​@@boneheded2819 I'm sorry I didn't consult with you before posting my comment.

[@EmDKee]

This is so chilling and sad... Thank you for confronting me with with this, even if it is hard to hear that story. The beauty of the song brings the history to life so vividly.

[@ddgryphon]

One of my favorite artists!

[@stepno]

Thank you, Augusta Heritage Center, for putting this online! And for bringing black and white traditional musicians together in oldtime, blues & swing, and vocal weeks.

[@stevenpadilla7200]

Saw her live in LA last week. JUST WOW!!! SO TALENTED!

[@HobbitandTippi]

This song rips my heart out.

[@hopskotchsquirrel9504]

The Woman. The Women. The nation of a people reside in the women. The Ancestors speak through the souls of women, for they shall not, nor will the be forgotten. No matter how much their voices were stiffled, muffled, killed...they will not be forgotten. Our Native Daughters, brings alive the stories, the voices of yesteryear, yesterday, and the ancestors that are created today. They more so tell the stories of African enslaved in the Americas women and bring to the table the story of the lynching of women (the truly forgotten). I ask all who can to listen to so with intention, , carefully and with an open heart to hear this story in song...you will feel that you are there with feet planted in the red dirt of the Mississippi and the smell of tabbaco fields...listen...listen......

[@TheChiliconkarma]

I don't remember having heard a beatboxer functioning like this. It works and dammit, with RGs voice on top it's nice.

[@jazzmanchgo]

Beatboxing is the modern-day version of the old "hambone." It's really a venerable, ancient "folk" percussive/vocal technique adapted to our modern day. The spirits of the ancestors remain strong!

[@wawazuzzy2064]

on this 4th of July this voice speaks to the nation as a whole

[@SomethingYouSee]

What a powerful message to this humanity! love it.

[@barbarabucy9508]

I was reading Garden & Gun when I saw she was named a Southern Hero. She is amazing.

[@fazbell]

What a sad premise for a song. Giddens is a beautiful soul.

[@creoleviking8433]

Such a Beautiful American Woman! Long over due. Brilliant!

[@romanamelia]

I could watch her incredible hands forever.

[@FreddyFuFu]

Oh How much I love that music and Miss Giddens

[@colinkelley6493]

Beautiful. Awesome. Powerful. I have listened to this song at least ten times, and I am weeping -- every time. I am so grateful that Rhiannon wrote this song. I am so proud of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I am so ashamed of slavery -- not just the institution but the racism. Their incredible music is the the only thing those poor people had -- that and each other which is what the music was all about -- to help maintain their sanity. Seething anger and hatred sustained some. Others maintained themselves through drug addiction. There were others like Friedrich Douglas who were able to rise above it. Rhiannon understands the totality, and the anger and the hatred, and she is able to get beyond that and show us what it felt like. That is a miracle. Those who found Jesus eventually found peace, love and freedom. There were many different stories -- some sad and tragic, some uplifting and inspirational. But the truth is, things went on in the Old South that were as bad as anything the Hitler's SS did in WWII. It was a crime against humanity. You cannot overstate how evil it was, or the violence and damage it did to people. That damage is still with us in some people today. But, also, there are millions of normal, decent, black skinned Americans who are living normal lives too. We just need to resque every precious child we can resque. We can not help the poor girl that inspired this song, but we can help her great great grandchild. Anybody with me?

[@pops1507]

MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant? Yep - more "Everlasting Plantation" race pandering.

[@pops1507]

This may smart a bit: SLAVES AND DEMOCRATS kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJ2tfJeEp5qJibc

[@dontaylor7315]

@@pops1507 Yep, in the 1860s the Democrats were the right wing and Republicans were the left. That went on till a century later the Democrats under Johnson aligned with the civil rights movement, alienating the Deep South Dixiecrats and making them ripe for the plucking by Nixon's Southern Strategy. So what's left of the white-supremacist Dems are now Gops. And what does any of this have to do with the superb music of Rhiannon Giddens? I don't get why you even watched this video.

[@presidenttrump7470]

Colin Kelley- You are weeping? Really? Are you a woman? BTW- You never owned a slave so you have nothing to be ashamed of. A bit of a drama queen huh?

[@juliamckechnie256]

Sublime.

[@toddrunt]

Ireland is so lucky to have her.

[@pilierofq]

Just excellent you are a one of a kind !!!This song I feel in my soul !

[@houstoncloer1876]

You are an awesome person. I'm glad I found your music.

[@clintonjustice1136]

What A Beautiful Amazing ,Insightful young Lady!

[@stevenhulme8354]

this beautiful woman is living magic 🎼🎻

[@NicoleEquerme]

Wow. I get full-body goosebumps every time I listen to her. This song in particular was complimented nicely by the beat boxer (although if this were a studio version, I might have retracted/added different layers at different times to create more builds/breaks), but the human percussion was such a nice element here considering the subject matter... Well done!

[@irionsfamily9194]

Thats Justin Robinson. Hes been working with her since Carolina Chocolate Drops. Check out Carolina Chocolate Drops "Cornbread and butter beans" hes singing lead and playing fiddle. Hes pretty talented.

[@portcullis5622]

I don't wish to be pedantic, but it actually says (0:52) "Jabari Exum vocal percussion", not Justin Robinson.

[@saroyafanniel8932]

+Irions Family - Jabari Exum has worked with the Carolina Chocolate Drops as well.

[@saroyafanniel8932]

+Nicole - The 'Beat Boxing' is actually an African tradition. I always find it interesting how strong Genetic Memory is. Back in the late 1970s when my generation started experimenting with Hip Hop music young people just started doing this stuff; riffing with the mouth and imitating percussion. Mostly because folks couldn't afford a drum set. I started looking into it to see if Continental African music had anything like it. Lo and behold, I found the same kind of improvisation in West and South African music!

[@randyelliott9152]

I'd love to hear her on a double bill with Otis Taylor...This was a recommendation from youtube...thanks.sorry it took me so long to get here.Wonderful talent...

[@exodustwelve2044]

A deep spiritual uplift and connection I can't explain as a follower of Messiah

[@gabrielmcwethy3441]

She composed a version of this for the Kronos Quartet's "Fifty for the Future," it's really good.

[@williamsearle543]

This, is what music is about... Love her spirit.

[@miekevanhilten1164]

WOW, please stay as pure as this sounds, love it! Thank you.

[@alfredbarten4901]

She's great. I'm a big fan.

[@UncoolAdam]

Voice to literally die for

[@redbranson9224]

Fantastic;one of the best I could listen to her for hours at a time....

[@norternredneck]

52 people who watched this have no sole , How could you not like this

[@leecommon6821]

Dearest Rhiannon, I do declare as I sat in deep reflection humbly looking towards the Spirit in the sky seeking inspiration through harmonically meaningful melody's... not merely of some new catchy hook, but from the very recesses of ones soul, such soul as to stir the lost and forgotten depths echoing throughout each corridor reaching beyond the very fabric of ones soul, with increasing light emanating from within as well as through those wisest of eye's was your celestial and sentient artistic expressions presented. Thank you !

[@noahseri1191]

Lee Common wow you’re really spiritual bro 😂

[@micharquette9321]

I keep coming back for this.

[@sjoerddroog566]

Very beautiful voice and even stronger lyrics!

[@thhoh3]

I am weeping. This is absolutely amazing.