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Post by dillwyn on Mar 6, 2016 10:10:04 GMT
Ok so Horace requested someone to pitch in with another contribution this week so I offered. I'm taking a chance this week and hope no one will call foul, because it isn't one artist but a set of short performances. My offering this week is the NPR Tiny Desk concerts. I know very little about it apart from it was set-up by someone called Bob Brolin where artists in my view are put into a very unforgiving office space and asked to perform 3 songs. Music amongst the spreadsheets, there is hope for the human race yet For me, it shows a lot about the artists and their abilities. I believe there have been over 500 of them now so this isn't new but I have selected a bunch of newer artists I have enjoyed watching recently. I'm sure there are loads more I could have selected. As each one is about 15 mins long you may want to listen to the first songs in each to give you a taste... there were any number of more established artists who have performed I could have listed adele, tom jones, jon legend, ben folds, steve earle (all on you tube). Lianne La Havas www.npr.org/event/music/445047157/lianne-la-havas-tiny-desk-concert?autoplay=trueMonsieur Periné www.npr.org/2016/03/02/468875757/monsieur-perin-tiny-desk-concert?autoplay=trueThe National Hozier Mackelmore death cab for cutie I hope you enjy
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Post by Chippa on Mar 6, 2016 20:33:31 GMT
Great pick! I've loved some of the Tiny Desk Concerts, over the years. I was sorta wishing Jeff Lynne had done one, but maybe that's not his thing. I'll get to these, soon.
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Post by jrmugz on Mar 7, 2016 3:58:14 GMT
Looking forward to it dwillyn, will aim to check out and review soon!
Jim
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Post by joeyjoejoejr on Mar 7, 2016 23:44:16 GMT
I got for Christmas a Hozier album on vinyl, which includes the CD and download. Also the vinyl has an added track that's not on CD.
The first Tiny Desk concert I watched was Neko Case. It was performed on Halloween and she and her band were dressed for the occasion.
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Post by 88keys on Mar 8, 2016 5:57:32 GMT
I can't wait to indulge in these. Death Cab..is one of my favorite bands of all time.
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Post by 88keys on Mar 11, 2016 15:50:45 GMT
Ok, this was a lot to take in, but I think I've listened enough to give a basic review.
Death Cab For Cutie was my favorite, among these. I've always loved this band, and it was a real treat to hear them in such an intimate setting.
I also loved the Macklemore performance. Everyone involved looked like they were having a great time.
The National are ok, but their performance wasn't great.
I can't stand Hozier and his voice. Sorry lol.
I haven't gotten to the last two, yet. I'll try.
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Post by dillwyn on Mar 11, 2016 20:00:43 GMT
Ok, this was a lot to take in, but I think I've listened enough to give a basic review. Death Cab For Cutie was my favorite, among these. I've always loved this band, and it was a real treat to hear them in such an intimate setting. I also loved the Macklemore performance. Everyone involved looked like they were having a great time. The National are ok, but their performance wasn't great. I can't stand Hozier and his voice. Sorry lol. I haven't gotten to the last two, yet. I'll try. yes that why i thought maybe one track from each but they are addictive DCFC was excellent, I had never heard of them before so must have been living under a rock having looked up their other tracks Mackelmore was actually longer, the same love , thrift shop and this one....his sheer joy at performing makes him really interesting to watch National is all about his voice i think Hozier interesting to see how he has developed i think the other two if you get to them are more fun i promise ...thank you for taking the time
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Post by queenofthehours on Mar 11, 2016 21:18:08 GMT
Lianne La Havas - I have never heard of her before but she has a great voice. Should easily sing small venues like this and large venues too.
Monsieur Periné - Neither have I heard of these. They are very colourful - and that's halfway to a great band for me! This is the kind of music I really like - you just know they are going to be 100x better live and they are great here.
The National – Some lovely tracks here. I especially love the use of brass – in an intimate and small venue it makes the music seem even more intimate even though it’s generally used in larger bands for a bigger sound. I think it’s the warmth of the tone – the brass suits the small venue. If the National’s proper songs sound as good as they do here I’ll be listening to them more. Hozier – I don’t know much about Hozier but I like how spare his music sounds here. The cello gives the music that perfect edge. Surely if you cannot do well with your music in a Tiny Desk concert you have no reason being a musician.
Macklemore – Have never heard this name before. Great performance even if it lacks the intimacy of the other acts. At least there’s some great brass her.
Death Cab for Cutie – I know them, I remember they were a great John Peel favourite. Any band named after something from the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band is wonderful. Sounding a lot more sombre than I’ve usually heard them which is probably down to the intimacy of the venue.
I have never heard of Tiny Desk before but going by these performances I'm keen to see more. It is a real test to be able to perform well in a small venue like the one they are using.
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Post by dillwyn on Mar 11, 2016 22:07:31 GMT
interestingly in my view it is the bigger acts who seem to under perform in this venue, the cranberres were very poor IMHO, i think adele is flat (could be at the time she had voice problems as brilliant singing is not an issue for her), jon legend and tom jones weren't on top form either...or maybe i'm expecting too much for the established acts ... i'm glad you heard something you liked
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Post by jrmugz on Mar 11, 2016 22:14:12 GMT
01. Lianne La Havas - "What You Don't Do" - Very nice pleasant, and relaxing arrangement, of another hopeless romantic expecting her lover to be what only God can be. Like how the soul really kicks in more and more as it progresses. 02. Lianne La Havas - "Unstoppable" - There she goes, expecting her lover to be something only God can be. A slam-dunk guarantee for a failed relationship. Can hear a lot of Joni Mitchell influence. 03. Lianne La Havas - "Forget" - Nice soulful acoustic performance, good harmonizing. This chick is lost, she needs to put God first, go to church, and either become a nun or find a good man. 04. Monsieur Periné - (not sure the song titles, since didn't say) - Pleasant festive music, that does justice to the Spanish dress. Great stuff! Now I'm going to want chips and salsa all afternoon. ha ha Really liked the the fourth song the best, with it's Ellington-like swing and interesting percussion, and great breaks. The bongos and percussion definitely a strong point. Almost felt like I was hearing Chicago's "Beginnings" song, towards the end. 05. The National - (various songs) - Nice relaxing sound and harmonies (some reminiscent of Moody Blues), perhaps a little bit too serious. But, really nice for doing my work too. 06. Hozier - (various songs) - Good fingerpicking and blues, for the reflective relationship lyrics. 07. Mackelmore - "Can't Hold Us" - Really like the brass accentuations and the upbeat feel of it. Catchy chorus. Would be fun for working out to. 08. Death Cab for Cutie - ("Black Sun", "No Room in Frame", "Your Heart is an Empty Room", "Passenger Seat") - Like the feel of "Black Sun" and "No Room in Frame". Singer has a unique voice, reminds me a little bit of Willie Nelson. REALLY like the feel of "Passenger Seat", probably my fave of all of them. Star Rating: 4 out of 5 Prime Cuts: "Unstoppable", (fourth Monsieur Periné song), (most of The National), "No Room in Frame" by DCC, "Passenger Seat" by DCC Bottom Line: Nice laid back bookstore cafe type of music. Thanks for sharing dillwyn, I really needed something to unwind and relax to, so that worked out really nice. Have you marked down for first spot in July, I believe. Jim
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Post by dillwyn on Mar 11, 2016 23:24:05 GMT
Hi Jim great feedback Thank you. April i think is my next as this was a subs bench appearance..i promise to go more traditional next time. Actually the one track i should have added was same love mackelmore ... smart , thoughtful lyrics if ..you get chance i'd encourage anyone to watch it,,,it appears to have been number 1 in oz and nz.
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Post by jrmugz on Mar 12, 2016 1:27:41 GMT
Hi Jim great feedback Thank you. April i think is my next as this was a subs bench appearance..i promise to go more traditional next time. Actually the one track i should have added was same love mackelmore ... smart , thoughtful lyrics if ..you get chance i'd encourage anyone to watch it,,,it appears to have been number 1 in oz and nz. OK, gotcha, yeah you are marked down for April. I played "Same Love", and not to keen on it, maybe I can send a PM of my thoughts. Jim
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Post by Chippa on Mar 12, 2016 21:05:51 GMT
The National- Love the singer's voice, but a couple of the songs did nothing for me. Good band, though. Have you seen the documentary "Mistaken For Strangers"? Check it out, if not.
Hozier - Only knew him from that "Take Me To Church" song, which I kinda loathed. Talented guy,but that particular song makes me cringe.
Macklemore and Lewis - Catchy and fun. Really liked this one.
Death Cab For Cutie - "Transatlanticism" is my favorite album of theirs. Ben Gibbard's voice takes some getting used to, but the songs are outstanding and this particular performance is great.
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Post by dillwyn on Mar 13, 2016 0:06:57 GMT
Chippa, thank you for that ...I will certainly check out that documentary ...glad you found some other tunes worth checking out
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Post by sparky123 on Mar 13, 2016 11:24:23 GMT
I really enjoyed that collection of songs. I've never heard of most of the artists or even tiny desk concerts, Lianne La Havas has such an amazing voice that I'm going to check out her other stuff. Although I have heard of Death Cab for Cutie this is the first time I have actually heard any of their songs, I was pleasantly surprised, I was expecting a totally different sound from them.
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