Hamilton Live: Leyla McCalla

Singer Leyla McCalla takes up not only the guitar, but the banjo and cello to perform songs from her new disc, “A Tribute to Langston Hughes,” music that mixes the Creole rhythms of Haiti with the French Quarter flavor of New Orleans.
Originally published at - www.voanews.com...

[@arachniphile]

I've been a big fan of Carolina Chocolate Drops for years and had no idea that their unassuming cello player was so amazingly talented. She rarely sang with the Drops, nor played instruments besides the cello except very occasionally. But yowza, she does it all! Her solo release is just stunning. I could listen to her for hours. Oh wait, I've already done that . . .

[@markthelwell7224]

In the late summer of 2013, Leyla - when she was still a member of The Carolina Chocolate Drops - did a brief tour of small venues in The UK with Rhiannon Giddens. I was lucky to see them in Sheffield, in what is basically the back room of a large pub called The Greystones. I went because I was a fan of Rhiannon - and I still am - but I left having fallen in love with Leyla. She performed songs from her album, which hadn't yet been released....... so I had no idea just how awesome she was. The audience (and there couldn't have been more than 50-60 of us) had a fantastic time watching two wonderful women singing and playing their asses off! No airs and graces, no gimmicks....... nothing but a love of performing, sincerity and sheer talent. It was a wonderful night.

[@bstox]

546 views????? What a crock! This is an AWESOME compilation video of a beautiful musician! Great work

[@KJStJDC]

This was a phenomenal concert. When she did "Song for a Dark Girl" and dedicated it to Michael Brown (the grand jury decision was released just that afternoon), my heart just broke -- such a beautiful song, and so needed to be heard.

[@GoyoTex]

Damn, she is beautiful and talented beyond all description. I love her newer music as well. Good for VOA getting her in concert back when she was just starting her solo career. I am copying and pasting this to share with others who enjoy good music.

[@davidcarlson1208]

Amazing!

[@jorgbaiter2767]

What a pity! No signs of the titles of the performed songs! What could be the last two titles of the fantastic video? Saw her two weeks ago in the theater of Landsberg(Germany!) ❤ now I am a big fan of Leyla!

[@thomaskline]

Check out the rest of Our Native Daughters, from Rhiannon musical blessings flow.

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

Outstanding! Does anyone know what the last song is featuring the fiddle? It sounds very much like a Cajun song.

[@PRAVEDA1]

Bello!!

[@georgeszebo6023]

"google+...LIKE...MISS...LEYLA-McCALLA...GREAT...zb music inc haitian label...w.i. google+