Asaf Avidan: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

So I'm driving down the road when I hear this incredible voice coming out of my car speakers - part Janis Joplin, part Nina Simone - and I wonder, "Who is she?"
That day, I'd ripped a number of CDs onto my phone and didn't remember which record this was. Upon a quick glance at my phone during a traffic light, I discover the name Asaf Avidan. Next traffic light, I look it up and I see a picture of a skinny, handsome white male. I figure that's a mistake - that I must have typed the wrong name - so I wait to get home.
What I discovered floored me. Asaf Avidan is a 33-year-old, very well-known Israeli singer, formerly with a folkish rock band with gold records called Asaf Avidan & The Mojos. He's now on his own with a solo record and no U.S. record label to put it out, but he's on a solo tour that's stunning. He stopped us all cold when he began to sing at the Tiny Desk. There's a disconnect, when you watch this, between what you see and what you hear. And those songs that he writes? Well, he truly understands his voice, and they're just some of the best tunes I've heard in a long time. --BOB BOILEN
Set List
"My Latest Sin"
"Different Pulses"
"Reckoning Song"
Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Denise DeBelius; Editor: Olivia Merrion; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Denise DeBelius, Gabriella Garcia-Pardo, Olivia Merrion; photo by Jim Tuttle/NPR

[@annabrac]

I had a gorgeous opportunity to watch him live five days ago in Split, Croatia, where he had a concert as a part of his solo tour Ichnology. What a talent this beautiful human has. It was so emotional, almost transcendental. At the end I couldn't avoid a huge sadness because probably I'll never have the opportunity to watch him live again. He is a true art giant.

[@kingsparta2183]

After all these years it's time for a new tiny desk concert.

[@maestralive3493]

"My life is like a wound I scratch so I can bleed Regurgitate my words, I write so I can feed And death grows like a tree That's planted in my chest Its roots are at my feet, I walk so it won't rest" Sheesh...

[@PS-so7yg]

Amo su voz! Asaf!!

[@DjVerox]

9 years later, still so powerful, what a musician. Even though he hated it, still doing the one hit thing to please the people without remorse, only a little 'ok i dont like it how it happened, but heres how i wrote it'', absolutely beautiful

[@CalebTrimblify]

I feel like this kicked me in the shin and took my lunch, while simultaneously giving me a hug and kiss. So pure and emotional, damn good music.

[@brittanybender48]

I love Tiny Desk Concerts. I have found some great groups on it!

[@pattifancher4205]

yes!

[@Japeter2000]

Cohen, Joplin, Winehouse, Waits, Reed...this is the talent of a generation. Amazing.

[@ajeje1996]

"See, I used to think I rode with the Devil, but I'm left on my own, even he hasn't shown up these days" Damn...

[@maestralive3493]

Damn... is correct. I couldn't stop the tears at that part

[@marilynpena3256]

i SO relate to that!

[@sophiarodriguez1861]

HOLY SH**!!! I don't believe that I missed him for all those years! Pure talent!!! Thank you for the show!

[@carolinacarias2443]

Me too!!! I am a New Fan, he's amazing, I need to see him live.

[@DiscoDolls]

Best tiny desk find ever. I've never been so surprised, then followed the most amazing artist over the following years. So thankful to have this to come back to. The first time I heard Asaf Avidan.

[@victorloturco]

that intro to the last song is just amazing

[@TheBilalien]

I was waiting for this guy to show up here! What An excellent musician

[@offthecuff454]

The Reckoning song always brings tears to my eyes. i've only heard Asaf's version and I LOVE IT!!! It reminds me of my brother Conrad who passed in 2012. I Need that Song! :)

[@RomanAmadeusOffical]

Asaf Avidan wonderful Musician Prophet with Heart 💖 Soul and his touch of Spirit ~ love God Yahweh 🙏 Amadeus*

[@twocountries]

Asaf left me in tears always.

[@annabrac]

Oh, tell me dear... I cried almost the whole concert five days ago in Split, Croatia. It was so emotionally hard and dear. What a talent, what an artist he is. We are blessed that he recognized it and gives it to us.

[@camilaacosta9853]

Dios porque no habia escuchado este tiny desk antes, por mucho el mejor de todos.

[@carolinacarias2443]

Igual yo, como no lo conocì antes, pero mejor tarde que nunca, yo necesito verlo en vivo.

[@judithschilcher3915]

UNIQUE ARTIST! unforgettable performance! an emotional miracle....heart and soul touching lyrics, this magnificent voice, - MAGNIFIQUE!! very sympathetic and very very charming guy...

[@Mariekesone]

I grew to love this man's voice by playing it over and over today... Truly amazing, one of a kind, Wonderful vocalist!

[@ekaterinazelenova441]

I don't know why nobody notes that he's a very good-looking man... and extremely talented, of course.

[@melissadenby2357]

I noted it. only in my own mind.. I figured others must have noticed it.

[@Iutub0ne_Censore]

è un essere speciale, definizione che racchiude tutto.

[@gabrielarabeschini6708]

oh you bet I notice it. every single time haha

[@Blue-lo4cb]

He’s astonishingly beautiful in so many ways….

[@banana3519]

Thank you Mr. Boilan for no compressioon, no interpretation, no judgement. Thank you for this; it's wonderful.

[@thomaspedersen8526]

for the first time in i don't know how long - too long - i've actually got goosebumps from just hearing a song. In this case I actually got it on all three songs. What an artist, and what a great recording to put on youtube! Thanks. And the reference to Nina Simone and Janis Joplin is spot on. Great introduction to the artist

[@pedronetopina]

A superb voice, it sounds like the yin & yiang or the black& white of Tom waits. Two great voices & performers!

[@pedronetopina]

I like it! I like his voice,so?

[@natkiss]

YES!! i've waited 4 the day that Asaf will be on NPR

[@amyhotchkiss8654]

So, so incredible. He reminds me a lot of LP.

[@francescasportelli2669]

no words, pure talent

[@filmpjesvanlieven]

Such a unique voice!

[@hiperbarico1]

It's wonderful, beautiful, different and he is a grate musician. I liked it very much!

[@Se7en983]

insane talent, I can't stress enough....

[@TheMadborn]

Dude , I HATE the cover version of Reckoning Song ... but without it , I would have never even heared of your music .. got hooked on your voice from the first second !!!!

[@leaotours4724]

Um dia realizarei meu sonho em ir no show deste artista que me remete nas mais profundas emoções! Simplesmente incrível !

[@medicenkathe]

Dios mio, porque no lo escuche antes!! Es de esos cantantes que te hacen tener la piel de gallina.

[@ezenart]

You get the best artists, I didn't expect you to get Asaf. I'm so glad!

[@tuproc61]

He is incredible, I know him from the reckoning song it was a big hit here in the netherlands. I am so glad he is visiting Amsterdam, i directly booked, i'm sure i wont recretit, live is always much better

[@lilianadabo1834]

for sure he knows his voice

[@distancedoesntcare]

I found him completely by accident and I have not been this excited about music in a while

[@GEGE-bx3fj]

I too discovered him a short while ago. I immed downloaded every song of his I cud find. He is truly a gift fr the gods. His body is an instrumental in itself. There r just no words to do him justice. Someone needs to sign this dude if he hasn't been signed already. Very rare does a talent like this come our way. My ears have been blessed. Fr across the waters Edmonton Alberta Canada 🇨🇦 🐥🐥🐥hugs and all that stuff

[@giang1772]

stop downloading. buy records instead.

[@GEGE-bx3fj]

@@giang1772 I do buy.

[@tawnyalopez]

His voice does it for me every single time!

[@derroysan]

Good to see that this amazing singer will now gets attention as well in the US. He had already top 10 success in Germany. Thanks NPR

[@patriciaberube5575]

What can I say he is his own instrument !I I sang along to him all morning A JOY!

[@taylorward858]

This is so much different than his most recent album. I much prefer him like this, acoustical.

[@eduardojaviergarciavidal5428]

Amo su voz y sus agudos 😍❤️🇲🇽

[@KoopahNITE]

This guy is awesome. I love his voice.

[@CalvinTaylor]

Wow what a voice! I'm sitting with the playlist going and was thinking it was the previous group lady taking a turn at the mic. Amazing.

[@PracticingLiberty]

Calvin Taylor I thought exactly the same thing. Had the window minimized. Had to open it up and see who it was. Then surprised to see this person.

[@marin1699]

Can't believe I missed this Tiny Desk Concert when it came out...This was magical. There's a new album coming out soon. I heard some of the songs and I was again blown away by his talent. It would be awesome to get another Tiny Desk with Asaf Avidan, even if it's the home edition!

[@marceaugenevieve3629]

J'pensais c'était une femme qui chantait tellement sa voix est haute. 😮 Quelle voix! Woh!

[@abbii]

From quite many years now, he is a constant point on my play list - thank you for your music! ❤️

[@bullocktm]

Blown AWAY!!!

[@kailiwang888]

Ridiculously talented! My fav now and forever :)

[@mayasej]

I cried.

[@mymainmanskins]

people that stop me dead in my tracks don't come around much anymore. when they do i circle them like a dog and sniff. it took a few days for this guy to set in. i had a feeling and then doubt and then i was positive that this was something special for me. he sounds sort of like a lot of people but he also sounds like himself. the lyrics. i don't have the right words. he does. i never made a list of favorite musicians but he's got a place on it.

[@ezmeraldadudortoka7549]

I concur.

[@samr.7515]

Exactly my feeling. Especially when a live performance with a guitar and his voice without any effect or supporting instrument is this high quality, it just oozes talents.

[@Iutub0ne_Censore]

same here

[@jadedmonk7001]

​​@@ezmeraldadudortoka7549Ditto! The first time that I heard him perform, I became immobilized and lost track of time. Definitely a transcendent moment - and many songs and years later, Avidan's music still has that effect on me. There's no one who can compare.

[@OFIR12STER]

Just Amazing.. Most beautiful words and voice♥️

[@jeanmichelpick587]

Wooow! Il est venu au Cognac blues festival : un moment magique....

[@deluxedoorman]

His voice is so amazing.

[@obeilis]

Just saw him in Miami, was SO good, total treat!

[@renedohan3212]

again and again love it !

[@AnkyPank]

It's really just beautiful.

[@pamcakesplayadelcarmen5861]

This guy feels the music and turn it into power.... 🎶🧡

[@MsOAWR]

Oh i simply adore this

[@estrellamunozdelrio6139]

Entra por la piel y comienza a fluir por tu sangre. Una voz qué me va acompañar siempre. Maravilla.

[@Iutub0ne_Censore]

is a blade

[@Enifer777]

Oh My God,this is so beautiful, I'm crying

[@SirTide9300]

This was intense and just beautiful

[@andrewwalker07]

I don't mean to be disrespectful in any way but previous to seeing this I totally thought it was a older woman singing the songs I had heard. Killer voice!

[@elliott8175]

If you look at the video description, so did the person who uploaded this.

[@Agnostic_Mind]

me too man

[@TheCmbtmedic1]

Not new to Asaf but I thought that the first time I heard him....He’s cool wish it was an old lady though.

[@kjames5716]

Stunning

[@1967insuranceguy]

Incredible!

[@karenlopes829]

love it so so so much

[@foomy44]

This is painfully beautiful. So happy I found this, TY!!!!

[@laiticia79]

Bouleversant !!

[@sylvierobin8305]

Monsieur, je vous admire énormément. Vous avez LA voix la plus fascinante du Monde. 🙏

[@pablolopez1894]

An amazing performance

[@TheStringDojo]

Outstanding!

[@julesbaud]

Very good indeed.

[@digitalwhiplash]

I first heard "both hands" I believe, I just assumed the lead singer was a woman. I've been listening to this artist all morning, having coffee, making a collage. Thanks Cardinal, great show, amazing music.🔥🖤

[@VanyeWest33]

pure feeling

[@vsphynx8313]

gorgeous...

[@marie-andredesmurs5293]

Ce mec est sublime avec cette voix qui fait vibre le caeur whaouh respect 👏👏👏👏👏💕😘😍

[@iknowyoufromsomewher]

brilliant

[@eliasbisharat8291]

very beautiful voice!!

[@davidgilmore1021]

😳 Wow 😲

[@schadady]

Nice voice !!

[@nataliejane9241]

Very interesting and unique!

[@pattyzinha771]

Visceral! Maravilhoso!

[@AmilcareGrizzi]

meraviglioso!!!

[@Siznycle]

awesome naam good music and voice!

[@TheAvi3133]

Brilliant..

[@n8tivsole]

Tiny Desk Compilation please!

[@esohedicho]

WOW.

[@remias10]

respect

[@taufiqismail8193]

Man, It's good.

[@dorfriedman9115]

+Taufiq Ismail The best! :)

[@paularosa6610]

Love you ❤️🥰

[@booksmeller]

Israel representin'! :D kavod.

[@booksmeller]

Have a great weekend!

[@booksmeller]

terry sadlier Have a great weekend!

[@user-bp6xz5uv4z]

tomluk777able 2 years later and what the fuck dude. from one jew to another chill the hell out. israel CERTAINLY isnt perfect. 2 state solutions boyos

[@fehehab]

Q voz! Muito bom, muito foda!

[@janybahat8647]

חוויה אדירה לשמוע את אסף אבידן שר באנגלית ,בעברית .כל צליל עונג גדול.

[@ChurchOfSantaMuerte]

My guy has pipes

[@tolgreenxxx]

...WOW!!! ...XXXXX...

[@Suron23]

Your Song is so much better than this remixed version!!! Greats from Germany.

[@almpertz]

This is a strange little event. Life.

[@user-ov9qe8wk9s]

Just a big thank you for this 13:06 ➖➖➖‼‼‼

[@Dagrond]

My god, the intensity ...

[@PippoAaron]

heftiger typ !

[@mattchase-burcham2892]

Holy shit..

[@lesliehirsch3730]

that and Mavis Staples too!