Tom’s Top 5 Tiny Desk Concerts
Being inspired in a new way in 2023
I didn’t listen to a lot of new music or read new books in 2023, but I spent some time exploring NPR Tiny Desk Concerts on YouTube. According to Wikipedia, the show was founded in 2008 when Bob Boilen, the host of All Music Considered, and Stephen Thompson, the NPR music editor, came back from the South by SouthWest complaining that they couldn’t hear the music over the crowd. They joked to folk singer Laura Gibson that she should perform at their desk. About a month later that’s exactly what she did and the show was born. Since then there have been upwards of 1000 episodes and millions of views on YouTube.
I have watched and been inspired by dozens of episodes this year from varied music artists like U2, Chris Stapleton, Scarface, Adele and cast members of the musical Wicked. There is something unique about this format, the artists are in such a initmiate space that you get up close and personal with them. Some artists just play and others engage heavily with the audience. The variety of musical styles has opened me up to hearing new music from new voices and to learn from their songs and interactions with the audience. So here are my top 5:
5. The Cast of the Lion King — I must have watched the original Lion King movie 1000 times when my kids were little. We all knew every word, every scene and every voice. So watching this particular cast perform some of my favorites songs live was a real treat. The musical has had a 20+ year run and the opening scene where Rafiki calls to the jungle to announce that Simba is born has been performed by the same woman for all of those years. The voices, the faces, memories and the music are all so good.
Watch Lion King at the Tiny Desk
4. Coldplay — I have never been a huge Coldplay fan, but when I ran across this video, I couldn’t help but sing along. It would be enough to have the huge gospel choir singing along with him, but add in the huge smile on Chris Martin’s face as he moves through the set and I am sold. He really looks like he’s having a blast. The version of Viva la Vida refreshes the original into what almost sounds like a Gospel music standard. I might even buy a ticket to see Coldplay someday.
Watch ColdPlay at the Tiny Desk
3. Tedeschi Trucks Band — This was the first Tiny Desk Concert that I listened to over and over again. I stumbled across this band a few years ago on a Spotify radio station. It’s led by Susan Tedeschi on vocals with husband Derek Trucks on guitar. Tedeschi is a grammy nominated singer / guitarist who sings gospel and blues. Trucks is one of the best slide guitar players in the world with family links to the Allman Brothers. For this show, they somehow got their whole 11 piece band (including 2 drummers) behind the tiny desk. The band has a killer horn section which I think adds so much more depth to the overall sound. The band has great dynamics and seems to revel in sharing the spotlight with one another.
There is a point in 2nd song “Don’t Know What it Means” where Susan does a cool, funky guitar solo and then gives the spotlight to Derek who rips it with his trademark style. Susan has this big grin on her face listening to her husband just kill it. In the same song, there is also a solo by the saxaphone player that is fun, fast and furious. Coming out of the 2nd song, the band brings the sound all the way down and then builds it back up for the song “Anyhow.” By the end, Susan is belting it out and the band gives her all of their support ending with Derek sliding home.
Watch Tedeschi Trucks at the Tiny Desk
2. Lizzo — I don’t know exactly why I decided to watch this Tiny Desk Concert except that I had heard the name a few times. I was completely and utterly blown away by this woman. Aside from the phenomenal voice and music, Lizzo acts as the reverend of what almost becomes a church service. From the get go, she commands the room and all who are listening oblige. She starts by saying “this is a tiny ass desk” then says “can I get an amen” which the crowd shouts back with gusto. Then she breaks into this gospel, opera, rap song “I’m crying cuz I love you” and it just gets better from there. As she opens the second song she says “I was crying because I love you, now I’m crying cuz you get on my fuc…in nerves. But that’s natural though.” And with that, she reveals something of herself and the realness that is human life.
Later in the show she talks about not having a boyfriend and calls herself “f..ck boy free” and then goes on a tear about how freedom and loving people are the most important things. Sprinkled throughout, the reverend continues to enagage with the audience saying “can i get an amen and hallelujah!!” My favorite line is right before she starts her last song when she says “this is such a tiny ass desk, I can barely fit my thighs underneath it.” She is willing to be real and poke fun at herself. She begins the last song by thanking God that he made her so “juicy” and launches into her song “Juice” and surprises me again by playing the flute. Who is this woman anyway? She closes everything out by reminding people to love themselves and each other. She says “if you can love my black ass then you can love anyone and yourself.” Words to live by.
Watch Lizzo at the Tiny Desk
1. Alicia Keys — I had never listened to Alicia Keys or at least I don’t remember if I did. I clicked on her after it came up as the first video in my search for Tiny Desk Concerts. From the start, Alicia is so warm and engaging saying “we just wanted to vibe out with you and play for you and talk with you.” As she continues toward her first song, she plays piano for background music and talks about her thoughts on how each of us wants to be “shown some love.” Once she starts the song she includes the audience in the show at the outset by doing a call and answer of the line from her song “Show me Love” and the audience is all in. For the second song “Gramercy Park” she reveals that this is the first time she has performed it live and that it has a deep meaning for her. The song speaks about how we lose ourselves in trying to care for others ultimately forgetting who we used to be. Like “Show Me Love” she opens up her heart to the audience and teaches all of us about real life. My favorite song of the 4 is “Underdog”, a song about how we often miss out by passing by people that have much to give but who are not always in a position to give it or are simply not seen by society. The chorus goes:
“So I sing a song for the hustlers trading at the bus stop
Single mothers waiting on a check to come
Young teachers, student doctors
Sons on the frontline knowing they don’t get to run
This goes out to the underdog
Keep on keeping at what you love
You’ll find that someday soon enough
You will rise up, rise up, yeah”
For the last song, she puts it to the audience to choose and again engages with them as if she knows each person in the room. They decide on the song “Fallen” by yelling the loudest. It’s a joy to watch her and the band play as it’s clear they are not only phenomenal musicians but that they truly love and trust one another. I feel like I have a new found friend in Alicia Keys, someone who lives with her heart on her sleeve and instead of being angry or toxic, she turns to love and respect.
Watch Alicia Keys at the Tiny Desk
If you have not already, I encourage you to go watch a few Tiny Desk Concerts. You will not be disappointed and you will find something new to be inspired by.
