Songs that bring history to life | Rhiannon Giddens

Rhiannon Giddens pours the emotional weight of American history into her music. Listen as she performs traditional folk ballads - including "Waterboy," "Up Above My Head," and "Lonesome Road" by Sister Rosetta Tharp - and one glorious original song, "Come Love Come," inspired by Civil War-era slave narratives.
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[@diannevandivier4392]

How can ANYONE not be moved by her music, her voice, her musicianship, her talent?

[@TheStonedstone]

Deaf ones and RAP lovers

[@stevejames9167]

And her beauty....

[@juditbicskey]

Mi az, hogy "senkit"?! Nagyon sokan szeretjük!! Csodálatos hangja van.🌹🌹🌹👍

[@hobbitlady7568]

❤

[@user-zl4mx4ec5f]

What a treasure never in my 77yrs have i witnessed versatility just pure godly energy. Amen. We are privileged to have her in our mist.

[@digibeli]

Rhiannon Giddens is Legendary. Mercy, what gifts. What command. What presence. Thank you, Ms. Giddens. Your historical work is a treasure chest.

[@joedurant9194]

Rhiannon Giddens always gets into my mind, heart and soul. She is an American treasure.

[@paulradcliffe842]

Rhiannon would get my vote as vocalist of the year in so many catagories: Gospel,Jazz,Blues,Folk,Ragtime.Her vocal range is so wide, and she sings with such power and passion.Truly amazing.

[@billsgarage1964]

Yes "C" all of the above....👍👍

[@valclowes5901]

My mother used to sing Odetta's Water Boy medley. For herself. For her father. For my brother. For me. Thank you, RG for telling these parts of our history.

[@ChronicChristy]

She makes an excellent point in that it is not enough to acknowledge slavery was terrible without humanizing the stories and the lives that were sold, beaten, raped & killed. It is easy to have an academic understanding of something without having an emotional understanding. We cannot prevent systemic injustices from reoccurring if do not recognize the individual tragedies!!!

[@cef8156]

Chronic Christy WTF....does slavery and its dehumanizing behavior have to do with this fine performance. You would probably bring up the middle passage during a discussion of leisure boating - jesus.

[@jhessagarfin6866]

Charlie At 4:06 she discusses the topic of slavery.

[@deadmoney5580]

Charlie, what sort of moron are you ? Did you watch the same video as us ?

[@malinstella6965]

CEF - You stupid!

[@Treatsandthreadscom]

FACTS

[@phyllis3549]

Heard Rihanna a few days ago. She performed with the Orlando Philharmonic. You couldn't hear a pin drop in the theater. What a voice! I will never forget her.

[@rhondadavis5387]

A true walking breathing piece of art and history. She is amazing.

[@paulgleitman7096]

Those who give her a “thumbs down “ are out and out fools. She’s magnificent. Multi- talented .

[@WORKERS.DREADNOUGHT]

They are all of them KKK. Fact. They probably have their own klavern on KZbin somewhere.

[@RhiannonFan]

I agree with you, in that I also think Rhiannon is magnificent. But please don't brand anyone who does not agree with you and me, as a "fool". Wars have been fought, and people have lost their lives, to protect the freedom we have to disagree with each other

[@patwelch8187]

screeching animal

[@MamaGator]

@@RhiannonFan& it’s my gd opinion anyone who could think negatively is a fcking fool See how that works?

[@chinkeebiao3978]

Her storytelling by singing is enlightening! I wish history was taught like the way she does it.

[@HobbitandTippi]

You can't listen to Rhiannon and her fellow band members without the music touching your soul. It is spiritual, it is educational, but mostly it really binds you to the experience being retold, and also what has carried into today.

[@thegoldenthread]

Rhiannon Giddens is a goddess. We're lucky to inhabit the planet at the same time she's doing her thing.

[@joedurant9194]

Benjamin Wood. So true!

[@thornyrose4709]

Nuts

[@puddles33328]

Goddess

[@georgiakourounioti5257]

So beautiful thought

[@rabautios]

she is great, combining afroamerican tradition with celtic tradition.

[@carlruf9037]

She is one beautiful and talented lady. I like the fact she reaches across all barriers to bring appreciation to Americana music, whether it be African, Soul, Original Country, Bluegrass, Gospel, or Historical Folk music (both the white and black cultures). She is a complete entertainer (vocally and instrumentally). Loved when she performed at the Grand Ole Opry.

[@barbarabranch]

Yesterday saw her in video filmed in a parking lot with 3 string musicians somewhere in the US, this morning a video in a concert with a full classical orchestra somewhere in France and now this performance. The woman is absolutely AMAZING!!!! 😍😍

[@bozzskaggs112]

If jeff Beck bends notes, and he does, this beautiful lady bends genres from 200 years ago. She's a national treasure.

[@howardlenow]

She is a national treasure.

[@junebrilly5302]

She is a WORLD Treasue!! From Ireland!❤

[@opusBillTheCat]

Every note that Rhiannon Giddens' magnificent voice wails hits me in my emotions. I feel the music, my soul weeps through the pain she portrays and its warmed by by her effervescence in songs of love and hope.

[@OmegaPerson-33]

I love everything about this woman. The first song I ever heard of hears was the Gaelic song, and it was incredible.

[@cornshucker77]

What a fantastic voice. Her intensity and passion are amazing. Love her.

[@elvanmcm]

Rhiannon Giddens is a national treasure!

[@tubemagpie]

@Spipou My thought exactly.

[@Mick71x]

I really don't know how to praise this performance enough it's just unbelievable!!!!

[@drwills220]

Probably one of the strongest catalysts out there for storytelling the awesome legacy of American Folk music. Love you.

[@Schmoopy100]

I want to know what 209 people didn't like about this performer? She's a real artist - moving and educating us at the same time!

[@michellemuchilwa5284]

I think they pressed the thumbs down button by accident. You can't not like this!

[@gillygil8747]

Every time I see this young lady I am more and more impressed. I just can't say that of most people. Oh my goodness! What a voice! I had to edit this response. This is ministry. God bless you and yours Rhiannon.

[@myheadhurts1927]

Rhiannon is totally fearless.....she can step up to a microphone and put her heart and soul into it. She is so gifted. Her career is just getting started. Bless your heart R.G.

[@Wendalore65]

This month, May 2019, The New Yorker has an amazing LONG article about Rhiannon Giddens. Not just about her music, all KINDS of things about her life. You will love it, if you like her! The cover of the magazine has two beings walking their dogs. One of the beings is human and one, robot. One of the dogs is real and one is a robot.

[@lindsaymeans]

just finished reading the article and immediately had to come find youtube videos! she's incredible!

[@RebeccaEdwardsJamesEdwards]

We need to consider ourselves lucky to be living in the same generation as Rhiannon Giddens . She brings History to Life. She's channeling a time that we should all take note & realize we all play a part. I love her, thank you Rhiannon Giddens .

[@sandramorey2529]

It is so thrilling to watch the next generation of traditional singers take their place among the greats like Odetta. There are a bunch of them and Rhiannon is top of the line. I am so glad that she continues to sing the old songs as well as write new ones. I wish her much success and I know we will all learn about our American past from this music.

[@timjones7547]

One if great talents of the 21st century! Love Rhiannon's voice!

[@jamesbadham228]

Tears in my eyes watching this.

[@audioslavewithamastermind]

Rhiannon Giddens and Sona Jobarteh are two of my favourite women in music right now. Amazing women!

[@GuadalupePicasso]

Sona needs to be more discovered here in the States, as well as Fatoumata Diawara, if never you’ve heard of her!

[@samguy7654]

Her performance was legendary.

[@emariemcc]

I love music, all types. Why am I crying 😢 so over the beautiful sad and expressive delivery. Voice and soul of an angel.

[@janicemccormick8834]

Love her voice; sister girl can sure belt out those numbers. 💯♥️✌️

[@Teajay21]

She’s such a wonderful singer and songwriter- her passion for the people in the history she tells is so present in her performances. I recommend Julie and her Celtic “mouth music” performance too.

[@mairmorris4591]

Just 'discovered' Rhiannon. Wow!!! She's amazing.

[@ellacarson2048]

Me too

[@kabalankay]

Wow, wow, wow! Now THAT is performance! Full tilt singing and dancing and hopping and raising the crowd to join her, just beautiful!😍

[@ditta667]

Her voice is amazing!

[@JohnBoulding]

She's the total package..talent, good person, beautiful and dedicated to her craft. I had the pleasure to play with the chocolate drops years ago in a play Calle bluegrass to brown earth. I knew back then that she was going to be a big deal SS so. As she was exposed to the large listening public.

[@rit.x]

Omg. I want to sing with here ❤❤❤

[@jossjones5706]

Just fell upon this by accident, praise the lord for accidents!! Astonishing

[@rickpresley63]

One of the most versatile performers I've had the pleasure to listen to. This video only scratches the surface. Check out her Celtic pieces.

[@clairemorrisdobie9977]

I've loved her work for years. She only gets better. Such depth and warmth.

[@tuforu4]

i saw her with and irish tee shirt on one vidoe.she is genius.

[@salyerbrandon]

This woman represents all that’s wrong with modern society. How are the canned blonde haired/blue eyed/auto tune ‘artist’ near billionaire and this woman a relative unknown?

[@nomoremaybes]

she doesn't look very Celtic to me.

[@mrmccranky]

nomoremaybes you don’t have to be 100% Celtic to love music

[@joannasarcamedes8191]

more power to you rhianna giddons...just amazing.....so humble , intelligent and wise .....great and richly cultured music...

[@agramochroi22]

So so so gloriously moving, how can there can be one dislike?

[@q36spacemodulator]

The talent of this woman is amazing.

[@maywednesday]

SHE IS THE LIGHT.

[@jimtyler-wall5087]

What rock was I living under that I didn't know who she was until this year? Stunning, passionate voice, powerful presence...Wow!

[@martyprice8371]

What a singer!!! Thank you, Ms. Giddens!

[@davala5218]

Her voice gives me chills. Huge fan!

[@mazmo2005]

Just one of many amazing performances by this Goddess. I'd give my right arm to see her live.

[@jonathan.gasser]

Man, this band and this music are authentic!

[@toddkyler534]

can't believe hw authentic no music like this in the world anymore

[@mons3020]

Yes there is, it's being sung by her, a real person! Not to mention, if you live in the big cities, you're not gonna hear it. Yet, here in Kentucky, I jam with some guys and gals with banjos and fiddles at least once a month.

[@tuforu4]

kinshasaorchestra..

[@powbobs]

Musical Stranger You can find all kinds of music in big cities. It’s small towns and rural areas where musical genres are limited Lots of bluegrass and old time music in Chicago.

[@allanbriggs807]

This was mostly the old "Chocolate Drops"

[@cindycowan249]

Adore this woman.....play her version of "wayfaring stranger" very often

[@unclepacky3926]

She's did her homework, what a talent.!!!!

[@user-wb4ed3nu1l]

I am blessed to be able to be apart of her music and be there to hear her voice

[@kip4966]

I'm a better person for having seen this, amazing Ted event

[@sarah-dh2lm]

Lord have mercy, such beauty and talent. Love it!

[@clairemorrisdobie9977]

What a voice! And the control. OMG! Amazing woman.

[@alexandershugayev]

the control is amazing and the use of microtuned notes (not only blue ones) is astonishing

[@whalesong999]

"Water boy; where are you hiddin'? If you donta come, qwine tella' yo mammy....!!" Wow, some spicin' she adds to this song. Learned it hin h.s., probably 1956 or so, felt like singing along with her but I know I couldn't be on the 'same page'. She's something else.

[@josephmachado1534]

First there was Odetta and Sister Rosetta Tharp...now there's Rhianon Giddens. How fortunate we are to be able to appreciate them and try to learn and understand while they teach us through their music. Amen!

[@paulpatriot1776]

This beautiful, brilliant woman is becoming this white boys favorite music artist. What a HUGE talent God has gifted her with to tell these stories through such powerful music, and yes, I knew about Sister Rosetta, and I love her music. 👍👍☝️☝️

[@mikeyirish1967]

She is extraordinary.

[@nick.caffrey]

Great stage presence!

[@JDibden]

Wow I love watching this soulful singer. Mesmerising. Fab voice.

[@paulgleitman7096]

She’ represents the renaissance of folk music in the twenty- first century.

[@iancampbell3202]

She’s a true phenomenon. Wow I’m always just blown away

[@jan_kisan]

outstanding. the second song brought me to tears, first time in i can't remember how long. so glad i've found this.

[@scoberg]

Amazing talent! And her voice-unbelievably wonderful.

[@gourddrawing]

Wow. Music from the heart. Love this.

[@shawngabriel7397]

This is GREAT music. If it wasn't for the four sisters of common music we wouldn't have pop music. The four sisters are country, blues, jazz, and bluegrass. Jazz and bluegrass are twins.

[@ausstraya9120]

You beautiful girl, what a voice and what a soul

[@yaakov2342]

What an amazing artist. I love how she brings the history of the song forth. Such wonderful musicians.

[@wolfgangyoung6309]

those pipes got me shook, truly inspiring.

[@jeffmcmurray9856]

I like how in old time music, artists will take verses from different songs and it works. Like in her first song, she uses “Nine Pound Hammer” and “Jack o Diamonds”

[@thewilderfanclub7896]

I have found you . Now I want let you go . What a great singer and musician

[@charlesmcnabb7974]

She is absolutely amazing. More, more, more please!!!

[@lewismcfarland4481]

I just discovered Ms. Giddens from Paul Krugmans' latest column (1/3/2024 NYT) there really are economists with a heart.

[@debradias8288]

So beautiful.

[@karla3033]

I was a bit worried for my favorite folkmusicians where close to 80 or even past of that, now after i stumbled over Rhiannon I kind a calmed down. Fantastic voice but also great apperance! :)

[@paulahillick4246]

you go girl!!! that's it!!!

[@betsyvoss49]

What a treasure she is!

[@KalleKotelett]

Who's not feeling it is dead inside... What a voice

[@leejosephcommon3246]

I see my thoughts recorded here already... Indeed a goddess bringing light to this world. Who's voice even today compels strangers to ask... Who's that singing?

[@joymcguire]

THIS is what I love about Rhiannon!

[@rainiedwards2342]

Just outstanding beautiful and truthful. Thanks for the upload.

[@lisaa5860]

this is so wonderful. Real music, such emotion and historical context woven into this.

[@jwebb1208]

I LOVE. THIS WOMAN,,ABSOLUTELY REMARKABLE!

[@phretbord]

Rhiannon is a treasure at everything she does! I loved listening to her and being able to watch this video, just subscribed! I feel blessed after watching this video, that’s what she does for me! 😊

[@TonyMacFarlane]

Ms. Giddon's genius lies in being able to tell a nation's history of truth in a song. No need to argue or cajole... just sing out!

[@pianomi7596]

Absolute sincerity, love and passion.💙 Definitely is something to show students as a pure example of peoples stories, of those who suffered inhumanity from the saddest pages of human's history in a form of art and artistic expression🤓 To teach them what trully matters and who do we want to become

[@cacciato69]

now this is a voice to celebrate ... and I do!!!

[@HDbiikerchick]

What a performance! Great!

[@paulgleitman7096]

She’s so talented!!!!!

[@zagros24]

whatta voice, whatta beauty

[@neonsparky]

Damn this woman can sing

[@steph29bzh12]

La performance vocal sur la première chanson magnifique👍👍👍👍👍

[@Simba97]

i've been off TedTalks for a few weeks, and seeing all these new uploads is actually getting me super excited... Lmao i'm probably the only one that gets excited for TedTalks, hence why i'm single. HAHA #worthit

[@denniscairns3833]

A women of much talent. Her words are deep and strong, creating a wonderful musical experience.

[@harrk327]

She is magnificent! How have I not noticed her until today? Was watching the preview for "Country Music by Ken Burns" and she was on it. She is just magnificent!

[@jennymay4720]

Wild and wonderfully talented soul.

[@josephn.c4075]

"Come Love Come" comes with love, and love remains within love.