Daniel Bachman: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

For an early-twentysomething, Daniel Bachman has roots buried deep. His approach to the American Primitive style of acoustic guitar - a sonically vivid fingerpicking technique developed by John Fahey and expanded by the likes of Robbie Basho and, later, Jack Rose and Glenn Jones - is conversational and uplifting, much like the man himself. After a rousing performance of "Honeysuckle Reel" from a forthcoming seven-inch single, however, Bachman turned beet-red in the NPR Music office and said, "I'm not going to lie. I'm pretty nervous."
Endearing as his admission is, once Bachman zeroes in on the center of a song, it's easy to get lost in it yourself. Strap on a pair of heavy boots and "Honeysuckle Reel" becomes an ecstatic dance tune or, at the very least, a foot-stomping good time. He closes with the reflective title track from one of two great albums he put out in 2012, Seven Pines, whose simple melody dives in and out of low-string chord crashes and tumultuous swirls of dizzying fingerpicking. --LARS GOTRICH
Set List
"Honeysuckle Reel"
"Seven Pines"
Credits
Producer: Lars Gotrich; Editor: Denise DeBelius; Audio Engineer: Neil Tevault; Videographers: Denise DeBelius, Christopher Parks; photo by Ryan Smith/NPR

[@MarkCranerium]

This music is haunting, in the best sense of the word. I came here by searching for American Primitive Guitar and was not disappointed.

[@andrewcraig3960]

Mountain music meets Indian classic Raga. Sensational.

[@abandofgeeks]

❤️

[@ScottWelchGuitar]

Love the purity and innocence in his music. Daniel Bachman is the natural real deal.

[@TheMotonp2010]

I like that it's raw and unrefined. Some people only like the vocals of opera singers. They probably aren't watching this channel anyway. There's music for everyone. Peace and love y'all!

[@AugustOster]

Just awesome, Daniel plays like a hurricane. I love stuff like this. Thanks so much for hosting this NPR!

[@Christopher_Bachm]

Real clean. Nice dynamics. Love the sound of that beautiful Guild guitar. Truly unique. Great feel.

[@helenpolak3115]

I agree totally that his tuning is intentional - Ever hear Joseph Spence? His tuning was also intentional. No guitar is in tune and temperament varies with the traditions of the player. This sounds good for his playing.

[@dr_lulz]

Helen Polak - agreed. After a restring, I tune once with a tuner then retune with the ear, listening to what the guitar is saying.

[@dr_lulz]

Truly wonderful. I have a few of Daniel’s LP’s, it’s always a spiritual experience and a journey listening to his music. Thank you Daniel and Thanks NPR for the showcase. Great stuff.

[@cameronbrwdway9486]

God damn that guitar sounds so big and amazing .

[@christopherburke7042]

Guild D55

[@samye8571]

Powful and beautiful. Thanks.

[@MyAFDA]

Another amazing video from NPR. The control, the dynamics and the passion bleed from his guitar.

[@christomcc]

he really keeps that right hand/fingers a flowing - fluid timing, classic chord positions/melodies and motifs...lovely lulls etc - grooooovy

[@JamiePayne14]

This is beautiful. And he makes it look so natural and effortless. Simply lovely!

[@Graham-Christian]

Epic start to the day. A cup of tea, and imagery of a rising mist over a pine forest by a lake so conveniently sparked by these lovely American tunes.

[@michaelblankenbeckley3581]

You sir have something. Keep doing what you're doing so that I can keep indulging in listening to it.

[@IPZxW0lf]

Honestly, I love how twangy it sounds. Sounds so good and beautiful high notes with it. I don't know, it blends perfectly in my head.

[@jessestewart6190]

This album speaks to my soul. Brilliant song writing and majestic playing. Fundamentally changed the way I approach the acoustic and electric guitar...and my song writing. Thank you, DB.

[@whatstwelveohnine]

Every chord causes chills on my skin. Lovee this thanks

[@kevinlieb]

That was amazing Daniel Thanks!!!!

[@cycloptical26]

Blue Ridge Mountains ragas, take me away. Nice!!

[@pool7e89]

We love you Daniel! - The Huffs

[@dyingforbadmusic]

dude! seven pines is always such a bliss!

[@Teona1212]

Very beautiful, thank you !

[@Seek-God-First]

Daniel, I like your music, its hypnotic, its really good !!

[@pdg887]

Love the booming, buzzing bass strings

[@pdg887]

It's like he's wrestling with an unruly beast

[@richyorn]

I dig it, the guitar vibe gives off a gritty old time feel...very rural folk art

[@edemardil]

Some of the best music I ever heard was played by friends of mine, muscicians and even one or two myself on the oldest, slightly out of tune guitars. This is music with emotion. Music of the everyday person. Real. A lot of people posted on here it sounded like poop or you need to do this or you need to do that. Do what you are doing bro. Sounds great. I'll listen the crap out of your music.

[@maksenDK]

amazing. thank you.

[@AveryDaviesMusic]

Awesome playing

[@patf1i1t]

Very nice, Daniel !

[@Seek-God-First]

I like the way you play !!

[@itwashimmusic]

Its where the guitar is told to sound like a banjo without being a banjo, or being any less guitar that this man finds himself playing. Top comment has it right. It's exactly as he meant it to be.

[@RodGab749]

That guitar is beautiful

[@g.bontempi691]

for seven pines the tuning is D F# D F# A D !

[@Emariess]

video quality is brillant! :)

[@luvmamusic]

i just imagine going on a road trip down south and having this song in the background :0).

[@stringthebell5426]

I can hear pedal Hi-hat sound. Interesting!

[@ospe0301]

Brilliant

[@attilafuredi5224]

I know a few really talented young fingerstyle guitarist from american primitive scene, but Daniel is my favorite.

[@tat2jim]

It sounds like Punk/Bluegrass! Love It!

[@kendconcerto]

OK, Im officially ur fan already !

[@istvantoth7431]

Nice sounding Guild ...

[@soroushsalamat6655]

Homecoming song is very good

[@jjcummings206]

Nice quote from A Silent Way at the end.

[@robertbohrer7501]

"Primitive" seems like such a misnomer for this style of playing.

[@ArnaudFTW]

primitive is a great word. nature is primitive.

[@susanmaslak]

wow.....

[@tigerclaws1000]

Best hiking music ever

[@josiahtimothy3655]

tigerclaws1000 good for bike rides aswell

[@showimprovement]

The comments below are irrelevant. Scroll up and watch this guy. Hes amazing!

[@RodneySeay]

Keep it up "Fire Fingers" Merrrrrcy son:> You can pick that guitar:> Love it!!!! send word~Allen Van Zandt

[@markokecman1177]

Reminds me of Jimmy Page in the times when he didn't actually suck! Keep ruling!!! \m/

[@zantoyan]

Those are some magic goddamn fingers. What the hell how does he do that?

[@archstanton33]

Were we listening to the same performance? He's supposed to be playing a primitive acoustic guitar style created before the time of electric tuners. And are you giving him advice on how to become a professional musician? It says right in the description that he's coming out with a single soon, I think he's doing just fine.

[@TOCS94]

It's easy to hear the Fahey influence. Reminds me a bit of early the Leo Kottke as well.

[@RNWard1954]

Leo Kottke the 2nd ! Love it.

[@RNWard1954]

I LOVE early Leo Kottke and this is so much there. Pure and reflective, rootsie Americana. LOVE it.

[@TheMotherfuckinJones]

Such pictures come from his art. Nature songs. Can anybody give me the tunings? I would love to mess around with some myself. Thanks NPR for sponsoring REAL music! like always...

[@josephgrady2129]

At a guess this could be some kind of varied c tuning

[@josephgrady2129]

CGCGCE or CGCGCD, some use CGCGDD also

[@cnutuf]

like Bert Jansch ?

[@peterapazidis8889]

Damn, I wish I could move my fingers like that

[@BlankPerceptions]

+classic rocker practice.

[@hounddig]

Some of it reminds me of Blind Joe Death

[@TheMarbleIndex3000]

what tuning? too cool

[@TerriblyNice_Not]

The tuning is exactly as he wanted it.

[@mrumsower]

sounds like Leo, but simpler like Page maybe. I can dig it.

[@josiahtimothy3655]

what tuning is this gental man in?

[@Brodieskipolefilms]

I think his guitar sounds awesome. I think the past comments are way too critical, It's a live performance, give the guy a break. He's incredible.

[@MichaeloooleahciM]

And I believe the first song played is DGDGBD, the second is definitely Open C

[@flowersfor]

Just saw him last name at the Rhizone - this video doesn’t do his skills justice.

[@jchafard]

Tiny Desk Concerts don't need nay-sayers. Never used to have them..damn kids.

[@abolishnato]

Does anyone know any music like this but slower and more atmospheric?

[@pollyfootfoot4514]

Marissa Anderson

[@JohnSmith-ij6ms]

John Fahey

[@josiahtimothy3655]

does anyone know the tunings?

[@g.bontempi691]

seven pines is D F# D F# A D... it's basically open D but the 5th string is tuned down to F# instead of A

[@FILLSPECTRUM]

"out of tune" and in harmony. music is wild.

[@ThaWaxyCap]

if you dont like it, dont watch it. i dont think he needs your criticisms anyway, i dont mind, still beautiful music.

[@LemonTones]

It's suppose to sound twangy and dirty. It's imitating early American acoustic performance.

[@asfaha3]

He's the BACH of guitars

[@JullyBrian]

Invite Sauti Sol from Kenya. Okay

[@YoutanPoluo]

Dammmn didn't know Philip Seymour Hoffman could fuckin jam out!

[@TheZacek]

I think the struggle with these melodies is what he intended :-)

[@jimetheridge2677]

Just a bit more tuning on the low strings would have been nice...when you pluck them too hard, they will detune. Heavier bottoms or hitting them less hard will keep them in tune. Classic dropped D tuning and early Kottke-esque and Fahey roots; nice work!

[@ElleRoxMyFabSox88]

i feel sorry for people that aren't subscribed to this youtube channel

[@richyorn]

Calum....your comment seems a bit uneducated amongst musical talent. There's a goal he is trying to obtain sound wise and he's essentially constructing a sonic image, some people paint with clean defined lines, borderline realism if you will...while others are a bit more.....surealist

[@johnrae4529]

I could imagine one of these songs in a Folgers Coffee commercial.

[@morphemis]

dude he needs heavier gauge top strings, it might be his style to have loose buzzing strings but i can't even make out any bass notes...... its just BWAAAAASHHHHHKKKKKK

[@trize007]

In tune out or out of tune makes no difference he is talented. Old school blues is played out of tune... I think he is doing just fine.

[@grnhair2001]

Tuning bothered me enough on both songs I got out my tuner to see how far off the notes were from each other--20% off at worst. It's hard to hear the low string accurately, but if you just test the harmonic of it, you can often get it in tune by ear better than if you...well, anyway, you're right. He has skill and keeps the groove well, but dude, ya must tune it right!

[@MichaeloooleahciM]

Open C: C G C G C E

[@cnutuf]

Can he sing ??

[@wcucp24]

cnutuf Does it matter?

[@lalalaitskyle]

believe it or not, you're wrong. it is most definitely in tune and yes his guitar is set up properly. You are in fact correct about the bending in and out of pitch but only when he plucks hard enough. but eventually it does go back in tune. so i would appreciate if you got ya stupid face outta my face

[@jaredthegreat911]

I understand that he is playing in a different tuning... but his low string just sounds horrible everytime he hits it.