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Rhiannon Giddens

@rhiannongiddens.bsky.social

19K followers 1 following 340 posts

New album, What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow, out now on Nonesuch Records! https://linktr.ee/rhiannongiddens

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · Feb 5

Last year I spent three days in North Carolina with fellow Carolina Chocolate Drops member Justin Robinson to record 'What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow,' an album of North Carolina fiddle and banjo music, which is now coming out April 18 on @nonesuch.com.

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 16h

So glad y'all liked that last video with Seckou! Here’s one with Francesco Turrisi on percussion and an original song by Seckou Keita just for our tour!

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 6d

The “What Did the Blackbird Say to the Crow?” mini-doc is now streaming on YouTube!

Watch now: youtu.be/t-cFmrzezl0

Justin Robinson and I are taking you to the places in North Carolina that shaped our lives and our record.

Video: Alexei Mejouev

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 10d

Learn more: uncpress.org/978146969057...

Go Back and Fetch It

For the first time, this groundbreaking songbook collaboration by music writer Kristina R. Gaddy and Grammy Award winner Rhiannon Giddens makes nineteen exam...

uncpress.org

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 10d

So much fun to play with Seckou Keita and Francesco Turrisi. You can learn the banjo tab and history of this song, plus many more in my new book “Go Back and Fetch It Recovering Early Black Music in the Americas for Fiddle and Banjo."

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 11d

So happy to boost this signal, just found out about this awesome festival going on in New Orleans, BlackAmericana Fest is happening TODAY- check out this amazing lineup!

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 15d

Kristina R. Gaddy and I will be discussing our new book, Go Back and Fetch It: Recovering Early Black Music in the Americas for Fiddle and Banjo today (9/23) at 5:30pm EDT!

Join us in person at @umich.edu or on the livestream: bit.ly/4gAREus

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 16d

It has stood the test of time, and remains a stirring mirror to society.

Thank you Paul for your artistry, and thank you Juilliard for having us!

Paul Simon's 'American Tune' Is Having a Resurgence in Chaotic Times

Paul Simon and Rhiannon Giddens performed 'American Tune' in New York; the 1973 song is having a resurgence during uncertain times in the country.

www.rollingstone.com

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 16d

A true honor to perform “American Tune” with #PaulSimon and the incredibly talented students at Juilliard. As I said in the article, I remember first looking at the lyrics of “American Tune” and going “Oh, my God — did you write this yesterday?”

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 16d

It was such a powerful night… playing that Malcolm X video in that space and forcing this current administration to reckon with the damage they’ve caused, while also promoting joy and the power of music to the audience… this is why I do what I do. Power to the People!"

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 16d

I can’t thank everyone enough for coming and HUGE shout out to the union members, current and former workers who gave me words of encouragement and support. Thank you Amadou Kouyate for playing with me.

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 16d

I’m also still shocked that Ric Grenell and his office reserved 50 tickets to the show (on his birthday no less!) just to harass me (some of them did boo but support was clearly on my side, so of course they left 😏).

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 16d

From Yasmin Williams:

"I played at the Kennedy Center last night and I have so many emotions from the show! I have to say thank you to all the staff and security who stepped up when my safety was threatened and escorted me to my car to keep me safe.

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 16d

Just so y'all know what's happening at the Kennedy Center. Shout out to Yasmin Williams who is showing that we are not monolithic and that we all have different ways of protesting what is going on.

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 18d

The irony is not lost on me. Chin up, Jimmy. 🙏

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 19d

I don't know what the answer is.

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 19d

I won't be buying any more new apple products as there are old ones flooding the world to buy, and I recognize the inherent friction of criticizing tech while using it; but a tool is a tool, and if we don't demand accountability of the folks making the tools that we use, are we any better than they?

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 19d

I'm still processing what it all means but I'm grateful for folks who are speaking up, even while I have empathy for those folks standing in line, who probably felt a little bad, but not bad enough to leave the enticements (and bragging rights, let's be honest) of the new iPhone.

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 19d

...that is really not that different from the last iPhone; some were laughing, some were cheering to drown us out; some were filming us on their iPhones; some were just watching intensely.

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 19d

Standing there with these folks, full of singers and chanters who really really care, and parents grieving lost children, watching the group of folks queueing for an iPhone...

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 19d

Responsibility (from Mirriam-Webster)
1
: the quality or state of being responsible: such as
a
: moral, legal, or mental accountability
b
: reliability, trustworthiness
2
: something for which one is responsible : burden

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 19d

We merged folks from Heat Initiative, who can explain the research done on the harm to children and teenagers from AI Chatbots, and the resistance from tech companies like Apple to put in any kind of protections.

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 19d

We slowly wended our way to the flagship store, where there were literally hoards of folks waiting in line and getting very excited.

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 19d

They started down the block I was sitting on and I couldn't help but join in. On the way I got filled in as to the mission - pushing back against the new iPhone release today. Suddenly the line made sense.

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 19d

"I wonder if they know my friends the Resistance Revival Chorus, who always sing in white" and then my second thought was "Oh it IS Resistance Revival Chorus!"

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Rhiannon Giddens @rhiannongiddens.bsky.social · 19d

Shortly after I finished it I noticed some singing one block to my right - I had a look and noticed a bunch of people in white singing, and my first thought was,

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