What makes Tomorrow Is My Turn by Rhiannon Giddens notable?

The album received critical acclaim, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album and marking a significant moment in the revival of interest in American folk traditions. Giddens has since been recognized as a leading figure in bringing historical African American music influences into contemporary discussions, influencing numerous artists across genres. Released in 2015, Tomorrow Is My Turn marks Rhiannon Giddens' debut solo album following her success with the Grammy-winning group Carolina Chocolate Drops. At this point in her career, Giddens began to assert her individual artistic voice, showcasing her deep knowledge of American roots music while expanding her audience beyond traditional boundaries.

Who is Tomorrow Is My Turn for?

Tomorrow Is My Turn works well if you're into steady mid-tempo reflective journey, poignant storytelling through song and rich vocal textures for intimacy.

How many songs are on Tomorrow Is My Turn?

Tomorrow Is My Turn has 11 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

Tomorrow Is My Turn

Rhiannon Giddens · 2015

43 min · 11 tracks · folk music

A rich tapestry of traditional folk and blues woven with Giddens' soulful vocals and intricate instrumentation.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Last Kind Words — This track captures the haunting essence of Giddens’ vocal range while paying homage to traditional folk narratives about loss and longing.
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Tomorrow Is My Turn — The title track serves as a powerful declaration of self-determination, showcasing Giddens' ability to blend personal storytelling with broader cultural themes.
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Black Is the Color — Giddens’ rendition imbues this classic with fresh emotional depth, illustrating her capacity to reinterpret established songs with a new perspective.
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Waterboy — This track highlights her mastery of rhythm and call-and-response techniques, connecting deeply with African American musical roots while inviting listener engagement.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

66 /100

Alpine

Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

Giddens blends traditional folk and blues with strong vocals and varied instrumentation, creating a distinct sound.

What we noticed

The album opens with a traditional blues track, immediately establishing Giddens' vocal strength and emotional delivery.
Several tracks incorporate call-and-response elements, enhancing the communal feel typical of folk music.
The final track is a slow ballad that brings the album to a reflective close, contrasting with the more upbeat songs earlier.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo reflective journey
poignant storytelling through song
rich vocal textures for intimacy
for afternoon relaxation

Maybe skip if you

seeking fast-paced excitement
prefer standalone hit tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 2015, Tomorrow Is My Turn marks Rhiannon Giddens' debut solo album following her success with the Grammy-winning group Carolina Chocolate Drops. At this point in her career, Giddens began to assert her individual artistic voice, showcasing her deep knowledge of American roots music while expanding her audience beyond traditional boundaries.
Stylistic neighbors: Dom Flemons· Aoife O'Donovan· The Milk Carton Kids