Big sound from a ‘Tiny Desk’ (Review)

Often viewed as the grandfather of popular radio stations, NPR has gotten a bad rep among high school students.

As shocking as it might be, NPR has been at the forefront of nearly every cultural revolution for the past 45 years.  Even in the age of technology, shows like Morning Edition and All Things Considered remain some of the most trusted news sources in the country.  NPR has a music-oriented show for nearly every genre, but the organization’s true hidden gem is the Tiny Desk Concerts.

Featuring artists curated by All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen, NPR’s Tiny Desk series has evolved into one of the best sources on the web for live recordings.  The performers play on and around Boilen’s desk in the NPR Music headquarters in Washington DC, giving the brief concerts an intimate feel that reveals intricacies in the performance that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Nearly every genre of music has been represented in a Tiny Desk Concert, although some of the best have come from unexpected sources.  T-Pain’s Tiny Desk performance lacks his distinctive Autotune, revealing a side of his voice that many people have never heard.  One of my personal favorites is a stunning performance by typically studio-oriented Alt-J.

While the recording of the initial concerts was average at best, after NPR moved to its new headquarters in 2013, production quality increased tremendously.  The program’s early success resulted in an upgraded desk for Boilen, one with an abundance of HD cameras and microphones fit for a professional studio.

As with many of NPR’s programs, all of the audio is available to download for offline listening.  The 400th Tiny Desk Concert was recorded this past fall, so there is almost certainly something for every taste.  Throw on some headphones, head to Youtube or NPR’s website, and enjoy.

There are no words to describe either of my two favorites, so you’ll just have to listen to them yourself.