Reviews

“…an unbeatable combo of music and story” -Wilmington, NC Star-News. Full review.

“Beautifully made by director John Whitehead, this documentary about the creation, triumph and reconfiguration of a modern black string band is full of gorgeous music, music history and inspiration.” –Winston-Salem Journal. Full review.

“…this film succeeds in relaying both regional string-band music as well as the interpersonal history of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. The documentarians don’t pull any punches, either. From the quarrels between Giddens and Flemons, who dated for some time, to the creative differences that plagued the Chocolate Drops, this documentary presents a drama that’s not always present in this type of film.” -Triad City Beat. Full review.

“A documentary of the Grammy-winning African-American string band The Carolina Chocolate Drops from John Whitehead. It’s an extraordinary film, one that details how bandmates Rhiannon Giddens, Justin Robinson and Dom Flemons (the latter two are no longer with the group) refocused attention on African-American contributions to string band music, and to such genres as country and bluegrass, through the sheer power and beauty of their performances. It also demonstrates, painfully at times, how difficult it can be for three talented people with sometimes-conflicting creative ideas and different personalities, not to mention romantic entanglements, to be in a band together. An unbeatable combo of music and story.” –StarNews Online