Brandy Clark: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit - stripped-down sets, an intimate setting - just a different space.
Ann Powers | September 24, 2020
If you're going to be stuck at home during a pandemic, it helps to have an awe-inspiring living room view. Stellar singer-songwriter Brandy Clark highlights hers in this charmingly casual set recorded in her loft-like Nashville apartment. The city's verdant hills roll out behind her as Clark plays these four songs, most from her beautiful new album, Your Life Is a Record. Like that view, Clark's musical vignettes gently take your breath away, their small details adding up to something expansive. It's easy to imagine her sitting in front of her floor-to-ceiling windows and coming up with yet another way to carefully break her fans' hearts.Clark's own heart is tender right now; it's clear from the stories she tells between songs - including one about her friend, the late John Prine - and the way she talks about missing the road, both for the musical camaraderie it offers and her strong connection with the listeners who've loved her since she released her first album in 2013. "I keep saying thank you, because we're used to playing live, it's kind of weird," she says after a particularly poignant rendition of her fan-favorite "Hold My Hand." "I hope everybody's clapping in their living room." There's value, though, in the intimacy this home show offers. The subtle interaction of the band and the perfect blue notes Clark hits at the end of a verse infuse the atmosphere with a sense of fellow feeling. Brandy Clark's an expert at describing the dreams and regrets that everyone learns to live with; here, it's like she's sharing them with a murmur in your ear.
SET LIST
"Bigger Boat"
"Can We Be Strangers"
"Hold My Hand"
"Who You Thought I Was"
MUSICIANS
Brandy Clark: vocals, guitar
Vanessa McGowan: upright bass
Cy Winstanley: guitar
Kaitlyn Raitz: cello
CREDITS
Video and Audio By: Steve Voss
Producer: Bob Boilen
Audio Mastering Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Video Producer: Maia Stern
Associate Producer: Bobby Carter
Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

[@BootsandUtes]

I know she is extremely prolific writing for other artists, but Brandy's voice is just so soothing and powerful. She needs more LPs.

[@user-hs6bi4cs6h]

Had the pleasure of seeing Brandy, open for Brandi last night at Red Rocks. A nice memory of her voice -time to re-vist.

[@lissa754]

Brandy surprised us all by opening for Brandi in Huntsville, AL, on Sept 23, 2023. Absolutely stunning performance from both. I'll NEVER forget that concert!

[@pouchboy1]

What a singer-songwriter. Hold My Hand is extraordinary.

[@audiophileman7047]

Just discovered Brandy Clark right here. I'm very impressed! What an excellent artist!! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@skippy9659]

audiophile man me too, via Brandi Carlile. Wow. Wow. What a talent! Unbelievable.

[@ralphhyland8661]

She's great. Go see her if she's playing anywhere near you, you will have a great time.

[@andydonham8612]

Brandy has a wonderful voice and a real country charm. Her songs are warm and honest.

[@beverlymichael5830]

Wow I just found d this video. Love it. What a voice and talented songwriter

[@multimediaproduction6674]

If you are just discovering Brandy Clark, I highly recommend her earlier work. I am the furthest thing from a country music fan, I just happened upon her song "Just Like Him"... that whole album... in a happier world hers would be a household name.

[@cad6th1]

LOVE this woman! Such talented people and MY favorite songs from the album. Could listen to this over and over. Thank you Brandy and rest of the band thank you NPR.

[@thomaspaciello1068]

I just love her. She is what is best about country music. Beautiful song stories with nice melodies.

[@PentameronSV]

0:00 - *Bigger Boat* (3:32) 4:33 - *Can We Be Strangers* (7:49) 8:06 - *Hold My Hand* (11:40) 13:19 - *Who You Thought I Was* (16:16)

[@alljmjm]

Thank you! Hold my Hand, is also my favorite song of yours, and has very special meaning to me. Yaw’l sounded fabulous!

[@johnroussel6709]

Such a great thing to wake up to. Thanks Tiny Desk. Yes, Brandy, we are clapping in our living room...

[@eliza23y.oiwantsexopenmyvi86]

🔴💘🌹💛

[@eliza18y.oiwantsexopenmyvi35]

😘🔴🌹❣

[@snoopaka]

Not a big country music fan, but Brandy you are awesome. Your songs have heart!

[@vdsilva6806]

I’m open to Country after this.

[@barbarabramlett3508]

I purchased her new album. I love it. I play it all the time. Her voice is incredible. If you want a good album you need to buy it. She is also a great songwriter. Thanks Brandy.

[@lawc23]

i keep coming back to watch this (especially the solo version of Bigger Boat)

[@mustachadon]

This reminds me so much of the 90's wave of powerful female vocalists in the country scene. Makes me feel kindof like home ya know.

[@skippy9659]

Exactly.

[@spinny418]

Good to know that Brandy and I both share a favorite song.. hold my hand ❤

[@MaggieTzakos]

This whole concert was just YUM. Beautiful lyrics, voices, bass, guitar... the warmth of that cello though! Thank you for this fantastic gift this morning.

[@MaggieTzakos]

NPR : Please put THIS version of Bigger Boat on Spotify!!! I can't get enough of that cello!

[@please_becaring9782]

Hi Maggie

[@gwaddles]

I always swear I’m not a county music fan. But this speaks to me and touches my heart and had my eyes leaking at the corners. A Bigger Boat especially. You all have a new fan...

[@Bluesbabesrv]

Drax68 agree, I say the same thing. Then I heard Brandy on a NPR show taped earlier this year and was intrigued. Always open to new music.

[@skippy9659]

Same same same...new fan and am blown away. What a talented country singer songwriter.

[@Nortonork]

Agreed. Her Bigger Boat with the great Randy Newman accompaniment is amazing!

[@normancrew2739]

Songs played by the person/s who wrote them have that little extra something that is difficult to explain but delightful to listen to.

[@elina17yiwantsexopenmyvide79]

💗😍

[@tuffgirl922]

A true songwriter/singer and I loved each and every song!

[@GPWitteveen]

Peter Benchley would be honored by the movie quote, "we're gonna need a bigger boat."

[@rytmelis]

Brandy is such an awesome singer/songwriter! Love it!

[@jflrck141]

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS SINCE THE RELEASE OF YOUR LIFE IS A RECORD!! THANKS NPR! THIS IS REAL MUSIC!!

[@Venetiababy1]

Beautiful melodies! I've been writing songs for 30 years but all my songs sound like "Make The World Go Away." Her melodies come straight from heaven. .

[@hazymagick]

Thank youuu Brandy and The Band, so beautiful and inspiring and ahhh, just cozy and hearwarming to listen

[@pamelatanner788]

I love your music, Brandy. "Your Life Is Record" is one of my very favorite albums. Thanks for all the wonderful music. More, please!!!

[@feels6233]

Never Heard of you but the lyrics in the first song gained my respect quickly

[@mikerphone.]

I felt like the first song was written yesterday. So relevant.

[@alejandra_asfa]

Beautiful Tiny Concert!!

[@KevWhitehead]

Loved Brandy Clark for ages but this acoustic is absolutely beautiful , love it!!

[@s2441212]

Sounding so good Brandy! Bummer your Denver show got cancelled cause that venue is so intimate it'd be a great show. But we will be here for you when its safe to tour again!

[@wanjiru.ngothi]

This is such a vibeee.. a quiet evening .. watching the sunset.. listening to this.. divine.. y'all should try it out..

[@eliza19y.oiwantsexopenmyvi43]

✌🖤❣

[@adm59]

Okay. Where do you live? I'll be along as soon as I can.

[@jimWalden-c4m]

She is a genius, what appropriate lyrics

[@dmz140]

I was clapping in my living room! Awesome!

[@OdaKa]

On the 2 & 4 I hope

[@skippy9659]

I haven’t heard much of her... on first listen, I hear a combo of John Prine and Indigo Girls. She’s compassionate and empathetic, she sees things not all people can. Brilliant.

[@please_becaring9782]

Hi Shawna

[@JustinRamelMusic]

I love Brandy Clark, and I would love a Brandy (The R&b artist) Tiny desk.! She deserves, and the vocals would be incredible!

[@feels6233]

Is she still alive?

[@JustinRamelMusic]

Feels was this necessary? Would I have asked if she wasn’t, dufus. 🙄

[@raymondlawson2301]

👏 bring them back.

[@skippy9659]

Yessss!,

[@lisaannhope827]

great little concert from you brandy and your band thanks , your music is awesome songs wow.

[@muzvid]

Thank you!

[@SuperKambing182]

She's really great song writter

[@joyceblaylock4949]

Thank you, thank you....what a great way to start this day! So good!!!

[@connienichols3422]

This was so good !!

[@suzanlee7804]

Really enjoyed this. Thank you.

[@dreed3228]

Great voice and songwriter. Perfect blend of honesty, emotion, and feel good down to earth music. ❤️

[@flix7753]

First time listening to you. Great music, beautiful voice...

[@tismeDenis]

I love this Chanel, bringing talents into my space just when I'm ready .Thank you NPR ;-)

[@eightfingeredhand6112]

Spot on!

[@MikeLunney]

Tiny Desk (Home) is the crown jewel of the pandemic, if there can be such a thing.

[@douniaab-ta483]

Magnifique ! C'est vraiment très beau à écouter ! Des musiciens qui vivent leur musique

[@neilbryson]

Je suis d'accord avec vous... mais c'est quoi ces commentaires d'autres personnes mdr

[@douniaab-ta483]

@@neilbryson Je me posais la même question

[@terryt5248]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻Brandy I love your music. You are so talented.

[@Lipedelipe7]

pedaling listening to this song is very good ! Thks Npr 🤜🤛

[@SwannSAMZUN]

Thank you for this beautiful moment, just beauty and simplicity

[@daj4777]

I want to thank the people who put this channel together, the different. Kinds of. Music is nice too check out

[@gretchenjacks]

Amazing... What talent.....keep it coming.....I love your music....hope to see you somewhere in 2023

[@clobberu2]

Well ok, there's my good cry for the night. Thanks Brandy - just beautiful.

[@Grevogel]

So much talent :)

[@bikeboysyd292]

Yes it does sound amazing.

[@BogoljubTeofilovic]

a beautiful performance

[@elina16yiwantsexopenmyvide21]

💋💘💝

[@misspriya601]

Lots of love from india 🥰🥰🥰

[@burlingtonbill4687]

Hold my Hand stands as one of the best songs ever written! Burlington Bill writer of Sailing to Freedom ( theme song for Sailing into Freedom ).

[@alexr833]

This is so good 🤗

[@ThomasLauvland]

This is special

[@kkj1028]

Good lord...............this brought me joy I needed!

[@ladyindigo9835]

Fabulous! This made my week! Beautiful voice! Beautiful music!

[@kenkwgc5563]

素敵！

[@underwoodvoice9077]

Brandy's songs sound so much better when they're not overloaded with Nashville production. I bought "Big Day in a Small Town" on the basis of her previous Tiny Desk concert, and while the songs are uniformly great, I prefer the live versions.

[@johnmckiernan6839]

Stunning to hear the blend of voices ... and learn that two have been together for quite awhile, and Cy Winstanley was an addition ... today. Meeting for the first time -- "'true story." Great set ... wish it would go on. I'm off to listen to other performances of Brandy Clark.

[@bcooke01]

Love…

[@peterwood462]

You have a new fan in New Zealand Brandy. Love your work.

[@matilderosas]

Gracias excelente concierto,me encantó 👍🇲🇽

[@michaelfox6422]

Great voice and writer,,,Just watched you all on CMT around the camp fire...Love this song...

[@lionraphjahchildren3016]

Magnifique .

[@jeanesper4610]

I'd like to here het sing In the garden gospel. First time I've heard her on Kelly Clarkston show. Liked her right away. Beautiful voice .

[@normancrew2739]

Love the guitar players left foot, (And his carefully considered playing.)

[@manimok]

We hear you all over the world !! Greetings from Linz Austria

[@PollaDuraRockera]

Añadida a mi lista de descubrimientos del mes en spotify

[@dodieshoemaker7888]

Love love love!!

[@annmariesharratt3885]

Loved this Brandy and bandmates. I saw you at The Barns with Tanya Tucker just before everything stopped...so good!!

[@please_becaring9782]

Hi Ann

[@user-xo7mv3fr1h]

なんて素敵な声と音だろう。耳が喜んでる。

[@aabdulsama6897]

💌🧡💋💚

[@faziahaddala52]

Excellent.. love 🤗❤❤❤❤

[@wait4it31]

Looks like the leaves aren't changing yet in TN. Beautiful studio♥️

[@edwardkendall3905]

What a great storyteller!

[@TheThorne1966]

This is just what I needed tonight... ❤ Sucks that the tour got canceled again... but when things are back to normal(ish), I'll be right there.

[@neharajagopal291]

Super 😊😊😊😊😘😘😘

[@eliza15y.oiwantsexopenmyvi59]

💖💜❣

[@CesarBenzoni]

So tight! Amazing band

[@tcmusic_thomas_upton]

Excellent concert

[@leaveitorsinkit242]

She has a nice finger slap technique on the acoustic. Kinda like John Mayer.

[@tausenti]

Nice

[@damienmontanadias]

REAL COUNTRY. Top 40 country can eat their cookie cutter complacent garbage forever. Keep doing you.

[@LifeInSocialMediaWalaytupz]

Wow lovely

[@lindamon5101]

The thumbs down are bitter xbf'S & overlooked short white guys! This is fing AWESOME! I'd like seconds of this& thirds!

[@please_becaring9782]

Hi Linda

[@charlesthompson592]

Nice!

[@martacamara2697]

SHOW 👏👏👏🇧🇷

[@all4laughs2]

We (LGBTQI+ community) need you to record and release 'Hold My Hand' with a long 'woman' in the place of 'any woman's man'.

[@aaronschen9896]

brandy's use of humor and irony always reminds me a bit of John Prine. Well done as always Tiny desk team, though I miss Bob's office.

[@normandyflash]

That was very nice! Thank you and congratulations from France!

[@zrotz1627]

Love Brandy Clark but we need to get Brandy Norwood on NPR!!!

[@ruthjoy3315]

She was a guest vocalist with August Greene (Common, Robert Glasper etc) on Tiny desk a couple years ago..... Its still available on KZbin...

[@maycubaneando]

hola como se puede subir videos demi grupo asu canal '? gracias

[@mikedelferro]

Such an fantastic channel, influenced my music.

[@jessynt2418]

we need a tiny desk from THE1975

[@w33z0]

Brandy Carlisle next please!!

[@jflrck141]

**Carlile :)

[@teresamason1983]

They actually have a new song together that’s quite good