King Creosote And Jon Hopkins: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concerts

To immerse yourself in King Creosote and Jon Hopkins' album Diamond Mine is to be transported to the Scottish countryside. Standing in the NPR Music offices, the album's unassuming creators somehow lose little of their mystique.
Set List:
"John Taylor's Month Away"
"Bubble"
"Cockle Shell"
"And The Racket They Made"
For more videos and to subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts Podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts

[@pauldavies8588]

My mother passed away with cancer a few years ago and she ended her days at my sisters with all of us looking after her until it was time for the wonderful nurses to step in with their lovely caring ways to help us during the days and nights. We played "Diamond Mine" always in the background hoping she could hear this lovely music and take it with her." John Taylor's Month Away" was played as the coffin was brought in. I don't need to express how terrible it is to see any loved one die from this terrible undignified disease or any other horrible terminal illness. Life is so short and cruel upon times but how comforting to know that memories survive with the help of personal memories, photographs and beautiful music like this. So sorry for anyone who has lost or losing a loved one through an illness. From a Son, Husband and a Father.❤

[@timmcdraw7568]

King Creosote is my favorite singer today - I’m an American and I don’t know how I stumbled upon him, it was an accident, like an autoplay situation, but the moment his voice came out of my speakers I stopped dead in my tracks the way I do every time since then. He’s not a singer I can put on to sing along to while I do other things, because I’m always glued to the spot. What a beautiful beautiful soul.

[@ShinRobjira]

Damn, I hope they get back together eventually and make another record. Diamond Mine was a pure masterpiece (as is most of King Creosote & Jon Hopkins' works) They work so well together & their respected sounds together meld like colors. NEED. MORE.

[@Otterysteve]

Yup!

[@missellexox]

John Taylor's Month Away touches me deeply every time

[@tyleryoast8299]

It is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard

[@Luis-dq2xt]

King Creosotes's music helped me make it out the hood 💯 This foo underrated a'f 👌🏽💯

[@Cracktune]

give yourself credit as well. congrats and dont stop man. dont stop.

[@terjedahl4288]

My first time in Iceland and I bought this record in Reykjavik, even if its not Icelandic I will always have the assosiation of the songs and Iceland. Perfect.

[@andrewchang3821]

+Terje Dahl I purchased this album right before a trip to Iceland and listened to it on repeat all around the ring road so, oddly enough, I have similar associations. I'd say it's not too much of a stretch, volcanoes and glaciers aside, the landscape of Scotland has some apparent similarities to that of Iceland.

[@Herzfeld10]

I can totally see that !

[@frangrant7577]

Bc almost all the best things and musicians come from Iceland. Beautiful story :)

[@desertislandsurvival]

how perfect!

[@stephenreader1320]

Top 10 album of the 2010s. Been listening for years but somehow missed this video, so cool!

[@rnadata]

How much goodness can this Man become? My God! My respectometer is gonna blow up!

[@momomalea6633]

This guy is so unbelievably great. and please please please work with jon again !

[@megadrop321]

King Creosote. Such a real person. I'd love to have a pint with him in the Highlands ha

[@scunert]

You are more likely to have a pint with him in Fife. That is where he is from but I know exactly what you mean. Beautiful and fascinating song

[@CelticFan]

Anstruther, I know, a tad pedantic (:

[@owen9157]

nah crail

[@m.s.g1890]

Mr Creosote looks just like a guy you'd see creosoting his fence on a Sunday afternoon. Very self aware

[@optimusprimevil1646]

i'm re writing john taylor's month at sea as a skynet resistance song it's called "john connor's final siege" and so far i've got... "today john connor starts his final siege from a hole one ten miles east of skynet mainframe" and "and i'd rather be kyle reeeeece..." any help would be appreciated

[@dencairns2228]

Absolute privilege to be alive witnessing that.

[@matthewlemin5077]

Middle of a busy day... lots to do... a quick browse with a cup of tea, and this stopped me in my tracks. Just beautiful

[@tyleryoast8299]

This man is a treasure I can't believe I'm just finding out about him His music cuts right to my center and makes me feel so sad and so warm at the same time

[@antonsampson4753]

Amazing. One of the best songwriters we have in the UK. Diamond mines (the while album) is one of my desert Island Discs. I noticed he can get five notes out of one short word in a lyric. Top notch.

[@novifilms]

Vocals sound amazing considering it's only a shotgun mic on him. Great job, Kevin.

[@tiziana280275]

oh i love them so much. casually one years ago i saw the cd in a store, in Rome. the cover impress me. i listened for a few minutes. and fell in love..

[@valeriomastio3702]

La cosa più bella che ho scoperto in questa quarantena

[@annettekearney9798]

King creosote is SO underrated. Check out his music.

[@tomjobus5718]

I discovered this only a few weeks ago. The sincerity of this music touches me deeply.

[@Otterysteve]

Beautiful. I love Diamond Mine, wonderful album, and enjoyed hearing a couple of extra songs on this video. Hopefully they will collaborate on a few more albums very soon! Any chance, does anyone know?

[@sqgl]

Good audio recording by Kevin Wait, thanks to everyone for organising and capturing this.

[@МихаилШишов-у8к]

Stumbled upon KC maybe a year ago and fell in love with him and his music from there on. From Russia with love and hope for the future!

[@wxbybxtn]

My favorite Artists. Absolutely gorgeous. Reminds me of home!

[@ninjaassassin27]

Creosote has the rare aura of a humble and caring man. The music is a window from his soul to ours.

[@HeseQ]

For those still wondering..... it's called a Harmonium (an old Indian instrument)

[@Requiredfields2]

I'm still wandering but thanks.

[@HeseQ]

Heheh...

[@martinmurchie504]

Here I am again. Keep coming to this time after time. Beautiful.

[@joseespinoza6283]

And the Racket they made shows a finely crafted intimate poetry.

[@lordcjim]

Just the most wonderful singing coupled with the most lovely keys. Floating about the guitar work. Journeys.

[@AdrianKuipers]

Mannnnnnnn, crying my heart out here. So beautiful. Thank you for making this.

[@AzlanCollective]

nourishment for the soul

[@markbirkin9024]

Brilliant, great memories of Eye 'o' The Doog festival in St Andrews, KC & JH performed Diamond Mine in full, one of the best gigs I've witnessed. For those wanting more- there is an extended version of Diamond Mine called the Jubilee Edition. With 6 extra tracks, Honest Words, Third Swan, Missionary (all great tracks), plus the 'Unravelled' version of Bats In The Attic and a couple of others.

[@aimsyo1570]

Does anyone, ANYONE, have some lovely piano sheet music for this. An adaption of it even. Jon Hopkins, are you about mate? Can you help me out?

[@OhWarrenful]

This was a wonderful set to listen to before bed.

[@bruceaisher]

This is really beautiful. Thanks so much for uploading NPR!

[@johnlittle7908]

How come I’ve only just found this video? As soon as it was released I realised Diamond Mine was an extraordinary album. Was lucky enough to catch Kenny and Jon touring I guess within a year or so of the albums release. Loving this little video ❤

[@Foresthexomega]

cockle shell is just amazing

[@booooyah12345]

I can watch it over and over again

[@tompicker]

Really good, soft, musical, peaceful, I like it very much !

[@artespopular]

KC and Jon should have grabbed that Mercury tonight. I hope you guys make another trek to the US. Sorry the first swing through wasn't successful.

[@amandaloebner8169]

Wow ❤️ so simple and beautiful

[@roblexapropst6930]

This album is still top 10 all time for me. I listen to it still, particularly during the winter months

[@ghostly606]

I love the album. But this still managed to blow me away. Beautiful!

[@cynthiamchurch]

I listen to this at least once a day...the covers don't match his voice...I love his voice, and the harmonium, had never seen one. I'm so glad these two paired up!

[@Greenockianx]

Wonderful. Touches parts other music can't get near. 😢

[@jillesoom3305]

crazy how versatile jon is

[@jejesus]

I love his voice! Thanks NPR!

[@steveg59]

Some people say that there arent any musicians nowadays......Hmmm

[@Bruchag]

Simply beautiful...

[@casandrathewitch]

Like many of the best things in life, this set comes in, completes envelopes you and leaves without a racket!!

[@ninjaflytipper]

Makes me smile :)

[@Akeela1]

Can't help to keep coming back here and hear those two wonderful guys. So beautiful...

[@iSouldier]

what is the name of this instrument which Hopkins plays with? Does anybody know?

[@mygodyousuckatthat]

+Woyzeck Pilat It is a hand-pumped harmonium

[@tdisen]

@Woyzeck Pilat It's a harmonium.

[@SyllixMusic]

Any details on the model or type of harmonium Jon is playing?

[@EphenDeLucedale]

SyllixMusic came here looking for this. Thanks.

[@cynthiamchurch]

I love his voice live! this is the first track I heard from them...I am glad they are a team but I don't think that they lose any of their mystique...I'd never seen a harmonium...and I like to see the sensibilities it takes to do what jon does...it's a little more raw thatn the album, and I love the writing, especially the words to Cockle shell.

[@hello_storm]

This is my new favorite video of all time

[@kalayaskitchen]

Just heard "Running on Fumes" used in BBC's "Our Girl" army drama - why didn't I hear this before made me feel very good, stuck 5500 miles east of skye in a constant, almsot unbearable 35C, thanks :-)

[@briandickson6747]

Love this, what a subtle and great racket!

[@지안-p6m]

good

[@KarlHamilton]

Still sounds amazing

[@neonfear]

i love this very much

[@vAbsolution]

Heard Diamond Mine for the first time the other day - somehow I knew they were going to have a tiny desk concert. haha. Awesome job.

[@DrB81]

Supported him at a gig years ago in Dundee. Had to borrow his guitar cause mine was gubbed. Cheers Kenny!

[@박성철-s1e]

이건 걍 미친거지....

[@r3dux]

That was just terrific! =D

[@claredavies764]

Love this song....Hoping to hear it live at Findhorn later this month

[@Sabhail_ar_Alba]

Fir làidir a ’dol gu muir.

[@connerschultz12]

WHAT IS THAT ACCORDION THING CALLED THAT HE'S USING.

[@Hannah-eg7vl]

Im nine years late but its a harmonium

[@jamesnicoll8415]

Saw you live in Glasgow last summer. Any Scottish tour dates Kenny? 👍

[@ryanjaeckel6492]

i see that Love Garden Records slipmat in the background, nicely done NPR!

[@NickScott86]

@errosmusic Bubble looks like standard CAGED chords. And looking at Jon's hands, it looks like he's only using the white keys which means it's definitely A Minor (which is the relative Minor to C Major, which also uses all the white keys. I'm not a pianist, but I know that much.) Really it's very simple. Just get the chord changes and the fingerpicking pattern and you're set. Next you have to perfect the fragile Scottish brogue. :)

[@rasmushansen7202]

Amazing! Is it just me or does he look like Messi?

[@vladimiraturzova7465]

Prekrásne...éterické💝💘❤

[@turntableable]

King Creosote’s voice though! It just shows you that you can just sing with a traditional Irish tremolo (I don’t know his ethnicity, I’m American so I don’t know the difference, but I know I hear it in a lot of old Irish music) and it still touches those deep parts of the soul.

[@kevinhouston3715]

He’s from Anstruther in Scotland near where I live. Was a big part of the the Fence Record scene here in Fife. Some amazing music. Folk indie electronic. Check it out

[@johnparke9210]

Fair doors neebur.

[@vulcanicspice]

Amazing.

[@sbirrell]

So pleased to see/hear this - heading off to see them tomorrow in Glasgow. Tremendous.

[@AlSedge]

stunning combo

[@simpeable]

Beautiful music..

[@JAMk1011]

Great Song

[@bridgeynet]

talent will out

[@popnoisebish]

AMAZING......

[@richyinnes]

Song is class!

[@black__bread]

this is why the made the word 'sublime'

[@brucemorton245]

Glosss. Class.

[@skyeandy1]

King Creosote is from Scotland and Jon Hopkins is from England.

[@eggbirdtherooster]

so beautiful

[@jamesbrownisdeadcom]

Really down to earth, lovely to see.

[@HyDeph0]

unplugged..

[@hippyskin6490]

Great sounds😁😬

[@jamand]

omg

[@aguungdh]

Didnt know this gem existed

[@Earthgazer]

looks like Jon Anderson

[@mutualmonster]

Mhmm! King Creosote's name is Kenneth Anderson, so there's a nice coincidence there if not a familial link between the two of them.

[@georgemurray2901]

❤️

[@OkInsanity]

Wow, unexpected for me, but great!

[@fryxo]

Beautiful

[@sahandn9]

Jon Hopkins the Doppler effect!

[@andytennant3829]

Just genius.....