Rhiannon Giddens has unveiled the official music video for "Black Is the Color," off her debut solo album, Tomorrow Is My Turn. The video, directed by Peter Zavadil, premiered as an NPR Music First Watch. "We all had such a great time filming this video," says Giddens, "and were so honored to set our story—an old love story rediscovered—on the campus of Fisk University, a Nashville HBCU that dates back to 1866. The Fisk Jubilee Singers were among the first African-American performance groups to tour America and Europe, and they single-handedly kept their school from closing its doors with the money they raised with their singing." Watch it here.
Rhiannon Giddens has unveiled the official music video for "Black Is the Color," a traditional tune arranged by Giddens for her debut solo album, Tomorrow Is My Turn. The video, directed by Peter Zavadil, premiered as an NPR Music First Watch. You can watch it below:
"We all had such a great time filming this video," says Giddens, "and were so honored to set our story—an old love story rediscovered—on the campus of Fisk University, a Nashville HBCU that dates back to 1866. The Fisk Jubilee Singers were among the first African-American performance groups to tour America and Europe, and they single-handedly kept their school from closing its doors with the money they raised with their singing."
"In her work with old-time and bluegrass outfit Carolina Chocolate Drops, and as a solo musician performing traditional gospel, soul and folk music, Giddens has made clear her commitment to unearthing American music's roots," writes NPR's Katie Presley. "Her approach is both respectful and innovative, and is on full display here. Sung with real joy and desire, backed by ebullient percussion and harmonica, this version adds a layer of earthy physicality missing from most previous incarnations ... In Giddens' curious and reverent care, an old song and an old story become intriguing, infectious, and downright sexy."
Giddens is currently touring the United States, in fact performing three shows in Tennessee this week, before returning to Texas for a second weekend at Austin City Limits. Giddens’ Carolina Chocolate Drops bandmates—multi-instrumentalist Hubby Jenkins, cellist Malcolm Parson, and multi-instrumentalist Rowan Corbett—are part of the touring band, as are drummer Jamie Dick and bassist Jason Sypher. For additional dates and tickets, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour.
To pick up a copy of Tomorrow Is My Turn, head to iTunes or the Nonesuch Store, where CD and vinyl orders include a free MP3 download of the complete album at checkout.
- Log in to post comments