Dave Rawlings Machine and Gillian Welch: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert From The Archives

We've been filming Tiny Desk concerts for more than 10 years. While revisiting our archives, we discovered that some of our earliest concerts never made it to KZbin!
Watch Dave Rawlings Machine and Gillian Welch’s Tiny Desk concert from 2010: www.npr.org/2010/02/01/123086...
Robin Hilton | February 1, 2010
David Rawlings is a remarkably gifted producer, session guitarist and singer who's most widely known for his contributions to other musicians' work - particularly his longtime partnership with folk and traditional country artist Gillian Welch. But when he and Welch stopped by NPR for this Tiny Desk Concert, it was to promote Rawlings' own album - the first he's ever recorded under his name (actually, it's under the moniker Dave Rawlings Machine). For A Friend of a Friend, Rawlings took on lead vocals and songwriting duties, and got some of his old friends to help out. Welch appears throughout the album, of course, along with other artists such as Ketch Secor and Morgan Jahnig of Old Crow Medicine Show.
Welch and Rawlings settled in to play together at Bob Boilen's desk as easily as if they were slipping on a pair of old boots. They've got the sort of magnetic chemistry that comes with writing and recording together for more than 15 years, but even with that history and their friendship, the two had to rethink the way they do things for Friend of a Friend.
"A lot of the arrangements we'd worked out over the years - the way we put chords, the way we sing together - I was shocked at how little they worked for my voice or my record," Rawlings says.
"We had learned to make records in a particular way because we were always framing [Welch's] voice, which is this large, takes-up-a-lot-of-space, very intimate, very good-sounding thing," he adds. "A beautiful tone. So you can frame it in a skeletal way. It almost seems to me that the less you put on her records, the more powerful they are. But when we started working that way with my voice, which is so different, it turned out that nothing from that approach was valid. So we had to find different sounds and treatments that we were happy with. I was really surprised when we started that we were in territory as uncharted as we were. We broke new ground from necessity."
In this Tiny Desk Concert recording, Rawlings and Welch give a breathtaking performance to a packed office at NPR Music. Each was getting over a bad case of bronchitis, though you'd never know it. For a typical soundcheck, most artists will piddle through a few bars of something. But Rawlings and Welch took a full, and utterly thrilling, run through Bill Monroe's "I'm on My Way Back to the Old Home." It was almost as though they couldn't stop once they started. If they hadn't stopped, that would have been fine by us.

[@phillipharris609]

alot of people don't get them. but they are talented on a level above most. they choose to be raw, organic, and honest with their art. I applaud and admire their brilliance.

[@taylorvansickle8928]

yeah. their harmonies are exceptional. souls intermingling so naturally. there is a live version of "the way it will be" that to me is just the pinnacle of two voices in harmony. so grateful for their music.

[@melsmithmel]

I'm not a country or folk music fan but I get them..they are UNIQUE.

[@scottenosh4548]

They would've knocked Elvis, Dylon, and Guthrie in the dust if they'd been jamming in 50s and 60s

[@miketarr1287]

@@scottenosh4548not really fair to say since they built their chops and style from those you mentioned. They’re good, but they’re no Dylan.

[@user-mx1lx3yl6s]

I get em ❤❤❤❤

[@sailfast2005]

Sound engineers at NPR have been killing it for over a decade with that shotgun mic 😊

[@tdb517]

Don't think it's a shotgun, I believe it's mkh 50 (hypercardioid)

[@reverb508]

@@tdb517whatever it is, talented musicians make magic around it.

[@kennethcole9766]

This traditional music ( Americana) doesn't sell tickets...but if it's gone we lose out identity slowly quietly shamefully.... these rich prosperous musicians need to protect what they lean on...true artists. Grass roots

[@lowieh.3451]

It sells plenty of tickets

[@bigpapachance]

Hard pressed to find two people making better music together than Gillian and Dave. Perfection.

[@jacquesblaque7728]

Guess you've not heard Andrew & Emily of Mandolin Orange. Not ranking anyone, but they're also excellent.

[@rahuliox]

What about Milli Vanilli

[@andrewmoonbeam321]

@@rahuliox Great point!

[@moleratical1232]

For something in a similar vain listen to the Milk Carton Kids. And I second Shovels and Rope as well as Mandolin Orange (bot are husband and wife duos as well)

[@bossHogOG]

@@jacquesblaque7728 lol

[@mehdibenameur96]

The true meaning of simplicity and pure talent : one mic, two guitars, two voices, and PURE skill. I really admire these two. Wish I could see them live

[@Ethan-pb3jq]

I saw Gillian and Dave at a small venue in Seattle a few years ago. We had excellent seats, close enough to see their expressions and guitar work. I’ve been to hundreds a of concerts and this was in the top five. They seemed surprised that they were so well-received. Love this music.

[@t4texastomjohnnycat978]

What an unbelievably great guitarist David is.🎸

[@pauljenkins2501]

As an amateur musician, I cant imagine how it must be to find a musical soul mate that is SO in tune with me as this couple are with each other.....

[@henrynoel3336]

I’ve always been amazed how close in tone and timbre their voices are. I thought Gillian was singing there for a second when Dave kicked off the first song. And I can’t think of any two voices that harmonize more naturally.

[@maitime8712]

I totally thought the same thing when he started singing!

[@marynobles4363]

Agree ❤❤❤❤❤

[@Heybros233]

Me too, I didn’t realize differently until I saw his mouth moving

[@watchdog3640]

These two were born to play this music together. Perfection.

[@thawk4187]

They are always in such sync with each other. May all of us find a person to feel that connected alongside.

[@tonysmith9505]

I'm late to this party, but My Christ, this is work of the first order. The middle eight of Ruby hits all the melodic spots for me. And she is pure gold.

[@georgespies8811]

listen to The Harrow and the Harvest. Not only is the musicianship absolutely top-rate, the songwriting is just deep. Gillian Welch is a serious writer, and very good at what she does. And David is .. superb. One of our greatest guitarists.

[@paulgarcia30]

If you have never heard these two before skip ahead to 8:09 and be prepared for a journey of musicianship, sincerity, and a depth of life and sorrow all at once. Gillian is amazing in her own right but what Dave does in playing notes, not just chords, and singing at the same time is breathtaking.

[@vratyadeleon1928]

for me, too, this song and the melting into "Cortez the Killer" is the summit of this tiny concert.

[@damagecontrol60]

My friend said, “Have you heard David Rawlings and Gillian Welch? Revelator is their best album” ... so I go to YT, search and this is the first thing Inchoose. Thanks, Friend, and NPR, and YT, and the poster, and Dave and Gillian, and the songwriters and guitar makers and technicians and everyone! happy thanksgiving!

[@9UaYXxB]

They listen to one another impeccably.

[@stephenbouchelle7706]

I can’t think of anything nicer than making a living this way - making clear, beautiful music.

[@franciscoluna9596]

real to the roots American music. what a beauty!

[@cellospot]

A dear friend of mine just turned me on to these two, and I have to say, this is worthy! Absolutely fantastic!

[@MVMullins]

Saw and met them years ago at the Neighborhood Theatre in Charlotte, NC. The venue has awesome acoustics and is fairly small, so for their last song they did "The long black veil" without amplification. It was quite possibly one of the most amazing live performances I've ever seen.

[@jbw6823]

You lucky!!! So jealous.

[@LMR074]

I wish there was a KZbin video of that!

[@sigifredouribe7636]

Never heard her ever and upon 1 min of listening Orphan Girl made me cry…Bad! My daughter came up to me and said “it’s ok Papa, I’ll always be your girl”

[@marygill5985]

Sometimes I find it difficult to listen to their music, only because it pulls up so much emotion within me.

[@BradsGuitarGarage]

I don't know how such artists get through their own songs without shedding a tear or choking up. tougher than I, they are.

[@SquareNoggin]

Word.

[@franciscoluna9596]

don't be afraid of the best of yourself

[@mason8971]

Omg this live version of ruby is beautiful

[@adanbuenosyres]

Isn't it?

[@dennispope8299]

Thank you god for these two! You did good my lord!

[@ericAlohaMoanaWaves]

amen

[@jaredj631]

I’m glad the microphones where better than the 360p camera that they were using in 2010

[@eversostupid]

You just gotta get the right tech. It looks great on my 2010 iPad

[@slaapkaamers3377]

@@eversostupid agreed, looks like high tech on my 2006 iPod

[@3340steve]

Thanks for saying that, I thought my eyesight was failing.

[@RobertSlover]

the image is totally irrelevant to the power of the sound man....

[@trishmcrae732]

Synchronicity. Gillian and Dave define it.

[@PentameronSV]

0:22 - *I'm on My Way Back to the Old Home* (2:36) 2:58 - *Ruby* (7:36) 8:09 - *Method Acting / Cortez the Killer* (16:55) 17:36 - *Sweet Tooth* (22:39)

[@whiskeyprick]

ty

[@luckydog-287]

Thank you!

[@steve254452]

Thank you! I'm new to both of these artists. Method > Cortez is sooooo good!

[@victoriadawn6319]

YES!

[@timmarshall7903]

Love Dave Rawlings’ playing... good to hear this again.

[@myradioon]

She ain't so bad herself. Holds it down solid.

[@davehenninges9507]

My goodness. "Sweet Tooth". That is off the hook. Who else plays something like that ? Phenomenal. How can you not get them ?

[@Taosravenfan]

What a pair of talented musicians. Selfless enough that they easily can sing backup for each other. How refreshingly unusual.

[@Zepaw]

These people are beyond words. I can only hope to be as talented in anything as they are in music.

[@rebeccabrodkey]

I love vintage tiny desks

[@a.talyor1473]

Real music. Real musicians.

[@FerdinandZebua]

All this Sound, from a single mic. Wow. Hats-off Dear Sound Engineer. 🙌

[@jbw6823]

Plus they are just that good.

[@thebandrodrick1832]

These two actually have a ton of experience sharing one mic through their career

[@takarnabam]

Goes to show how cohesive both are together. What a duo!

[@WildCheval]

Goosebumps I know their music A little None of the songs they have played Here Goosebumps Effortless synchronicity So much joy in these sadish songs repertoire And such a briskly light finish haha

[@miker7795]

So glad there's still enough truth seekers around to allow these two to make a living. Always waiting for a new Gillian Welch record every 17 years. I'll be here unless i'm not.

[@andyszpekman5205]

They say nobody's perfect. Not sure I believe that anymore.

[@danielmorris3687]

In the last couple seconds Dave says 'is that alright?' Yeah Dave that was definitely alright !

[@phineasmcsneed2169]

Best recorded version of Method Acting/Cortez. I turned it into an mp3 and listened to it about 100 times.

[@Anonymous_Rhinoceros]

What method did you use? If you’re comfortable posting here.

[@phineasmcsneed2169]

@@Anonymous_Rhinoceros Not sure because it was long ago, but now, I use a yt/video capture program, then open it with Audacity, then export it as mp3.

[@amysticmind2645]

This is phenomenal. I've always been a fan of folk music, but I find that I appreciate it more than I actually listen to it. I'm glad I decided to click on this video when I received the notification. Their voices go so well together

[@rhysthecabbage]

Their voices are beautiful together! Definitely check out "the way it will be" by them!

[@danielmorris3687]

@@rhysthecabbage Or just check out everything they've ever done because it's all great. :)

[@223remington3]

If you get a chance watch Another Day, Another Time. It is a recording of the Town Hall session for the movie Inside Llewyn Davis. These two, Milk Carton Kids, Avett Bros, Oscar Isaac, Punch Bros, and a ton of other amazing talent.

[@amysticmind2645]

Thank you all for the recommendations. I'll be be listening to them while I get some things done around the house this afternoon

[@alexjrk1675]

A Mystic Mind im Peruvian American, im a folk music enthusiast for worldwide folk music. The people of the world have such wonderful sounds to offer, and are much more connected than we believe. For example, American western music is a mix of Mexican ranchera and northern European folk! Appalachian is part African and Irish! When you listen worldwide you can hear where bits and pieces come from one culture and travel to another. In peru we have Festejo, thats a mix of African, Native Andean, and a bit of spaniard. Its a beautiful mingling of the worlds soul through music

[@sfechskath]

Wow. Method acting / Cortez is 10 minutes of perfection

[@wesleytingey248]

Dave Rawlings is a guitar god.

[@MicheleJeanUSA__NZ]

So is Welch

[@AndresBurgoa]

One of my favorites. And I didn't even knew I liked this music.

[@raymondlawson2301]

Bring them back. 🍻👍.

[@dosxx3683]

Love these two!!

[@robertwynkoop7112]

A true gem in the rough, thanks Bob and TDC. Cortez, in particular, in these times, pierces hauntingly..... these are true masters!

[@fractuss]

Hmm, never thought of them rough in any way.

[@robertwynkoop7112]

@@fractuss very true I was speaking of Cortez specifically, which I have never heard them perform before…

[@fractuss]

@@robertwynkoop7112 I understand.

[@dariusmolark6820]

just beautiful! gorgeous!

[@ehrinseymour6093]

Favorite duo. Compliment each other so well. So beautiful.

[@waski672]

Vocals and guitars together in total harmony. This is my favorite kind of music. Musicians and their vocals ,instruments, and their talent. It’s pure uncut. It’s what moves my soul. I wish I was going to live over 100 years to hear what this duo is going to do in their later years.

[@joannebeauchamp1169]

This video of Dave & Gillian just made my day!

[@lepotedetonpote]

Wow Ruby is a great song... It brings me back to the feeling I had the first time I listened to Rocking-chair by the Band... that was a long time ago...

[@marcosgovea]

Beautiful!

[@davidcolton6201]

Amazing talent wrapped in these two wonderful musicians. Excellent!!

[@ebenwilson3308]

I absolutely love this art. Beautiful.

[@scottcitron]

Mesmerizing, as always, when these two play together. Thank you.

[@anthonysullivan3238]

brilliant songs, so well sung and so well played

[@jasonkleinhanss4681]

2 amazing artists

[@ronaldbelcourt9250]

So so real! Love them. ❤ They are why I have hope.

[@butnut3455]

Incredible! The distinct tones from each guitar make that perfect blend...nothing more needed! Add great singing and sweet harmonies...so good! Crisp and tasty lead runs on that kool arch-top, solid rhythm and bass lines on the flat-top, magical. First time hearing this and I'm a fan now.

[@thedeeprot]

Big vibes!

[@anenglishlife7210]

I just discovered them two days ago..I'm so inspired.... beautiful ❤️

[@raysun2be]

Mesmerizing. I had things to do, so I was going to listen a bit then come back later. But I listened to the entire concert. Excellent!

[@takarnabam]

Haha same here! Their sound gripped me instantly

[@jean-baptistebroquaire7554]

La musique de Gillian et de Dave parle à mon âme comme aucune autre. Pourquoi ne sont-ils pas plus connus de par le monde ? C'est un des grands mystères de notre époque...

[@tomas5376]

One of the best! Great music is hard to come by! Gracias 👍✌️😊🙏🏼🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎶🎵🎶🎶

[@user-ii4hq5gd6c]

OMG Sweet Tooth dont get no better than that !!! Fantastic!

[@gospelgirl6383]

Enjoyed this big time!😍

[@chesnadailey3411]

These 2 are just meant for each other❤❤❤

[@geoffrey1001]

Thanks for uploading this video! Simply wonderful

[@simonesenisin9391]

❤😊 Brilliant… thank you, so many memories 🙏👏💜

[@karaokelola]

I would love to see them play live. So good.

[@mediocrecyclist]

THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS!!!!!!!!

[@saltsodacandy8978]

So beautiful

[@Zaptoid]

Wow. What a pleasure. Thank you for posting out of the archives!

[@Bikelife88]

Pure bliss! Especially love method acting… long but every note is essential

[@mechiruggiero]

Love you guys!!!❤️❤️

[@yeahnaaa292]

Here for this 2022

[@donmaratea10]

Great duo!

[@charmoffinchesband]

This is so special! Thanks for putting this on KZbin. x

[@Jyvaskyla]

I love all of this

[@fellten]

Brilliant !

[@vrstrt28]

I love them. Laid back, words reluctantly leave her mouth. Dave is not really pushing it, his intermezzi show it's safe out there. But her words are still hesitant to come and play out in the open. I better just listen and not analize. Hope to see them in Holland soon.

[@MilesPittman]

Jeeze Louise that was a beautiful rendition of Ruby…

[@ShutUpandRideMTB]

Thanks for this...

[@regiramanathan6245]

Finally! Was wondering why this wasn't up officially for so long!

[@librarianrobert7426]

they're just so badass!

[@kultbotcustomshop3849]

Dave puts in WORK.

[@MicheleJeanUSA__NZ]

I lived in Tenneessee for 10 years. Never liked country music, this style is a story of life with a raw and beautiful sound. It brings back nice memories of church, love, friends and the Nolichucky River ❤️

[@MicheleJeanUSA__NZ]

@Robert William Hi Robert, I am well.

[@thereverendsam413]

Somehow I had never seen this before. Wonderful

[@robertmakins5070]

Hauntingly beautful.

[@kennethcole9766]

Dave Rawlings...no player in this era touches him for technic....just flawless....

[@seanmatthewking]

Kenneth of the Milk Carton Kids, but people accuse him of stealing Rawlings’s style Chris Thile on mandolin.

[@lindsayheywood7195]

@@seanmatthewking I say so what if Kenneth stole Dave’s style - we just get to hear more of it.

[@miscelaineous5164]

Whoa this is weird, I just listened to these two again last night for the first time in maybe 10 years and here they are the next day in a throwback tinydesk

[@garyd1727]

To make that even stranger, same thing happened to me, pulled out Soul Journey randomly after many years yesterday while cleaning the house and this video showed up in my inbox the next day. Wow!

[@JoanOjenima_Science]

I love it !

[@TheFeelButton]

You got me thinking of a warm afternoon on the front porch. 🙏😊

[@humorustrout.]

Same. And I don't even have a porch!

[@fabiobarbati6029]

I knew this two extraordinary artists by chance, listening to the radio. It's through the discovery of their treasure that I have started searching for more gems and rare pearls that are invisible to the majority. Dave and Gillian still remain a reference place, a guiding light and a source of inspiration. I add, as a guitarist, Dave is one of my favorite and influenced silently my playing a lot. They are so pure and perfect that you wouldn't add any extra sound to their sound. They ARE Classic. And will remain in time. NPR: you should invite them back for a proper video-audio recording at the best of your standards. This one puts your production in embracing light.

[@alabastermontague6841]

Whether it's Gillian Welch or the Dave Rawlings Machine or David Rawlings it's always incredible and it is never the same no matter how many times you have seen them play before. There are few artists who manage that: in my experience, Richard Thompson does it; Yo La Tengo does it; comparisons are silly. Gill and Dave play some tunes that are familiar and new every time.

[@Hypnokid]

Beautiful

[@leighnilsen4090]

A category all by themselves ..... love

[@mariesmusicmusic5305]

Love this ❤️

[@katokhaelan4881]

Wow what a gift

[@kentsimmons3307]

Very well done

[@snorkerelli8757]

So good. I’ve seen you live so many times and still need more. Come back to Missoula!