Laraaji: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

May 2, 2019 | Bob Boilen -- Prepare to be calmed.
It begins with a small bell, a set of tiny wind chimes and a plucked, angelic zither sounding much like a harp. Laraaji and his musical partner Arji "OceAnanda" Cakouros came to NPR draped in loose-fitted, saffron-tinted clothes, with a table draped in a similar orange fabric - almost the tones of a setting sun with all the beauty that implies. As I watched, I could feel my breath letting go; my muscles were less tense. Then Laraaji began to laugh. I smiled. (His laugh is infectious). Then more of us in the office smiled as he brushed rhythms on his zither and processed the sounds to add delay and intensify the hypnotic pulse.
I first discovered the music of Laraaji almost 40 years ago when Brian Eno produced an ambient album of his music called Ambient 3: Day of Radiance as part of a series of ambient records from Eno that began with 1978's Ambient 1: Music for Airports. Edward Larry Gordon, now known as Laraaji, was a comedian as well as a musician. I suppose that explains the laughter as part of his meditative and therapeutic music. Laraaji is now in his mid-70s, has released over 50 recordings as well as an abundance of sound-healing sessions. His concert in the NPR offices was proof of the atmospheric, altering power of the music he makes along with Arji. Maybe you'll find yourself enjoying a musical sunset plopped down right in the middle of your day.
SET LIST
"12345678..."
MUSICIANS
Laraaji: electric autoharp/zither, vocals; Arji "OceAnanda" Cakouros: mbira, iPad synth, shakers, chimes
CREDITS
Producers: Bob Boilen, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Beck Harlan; Associate Producer: Bobby Carter; Production Assistant: Adelaide Sandstrom; Photo: Amr Alfiky/NPR

[@christopherpolanco8255]

All of a sudden it’s a different time, it’s a different place, it’s a different state of mind!

[@Fintan33]

absolutely, a gem like lucidity at that

[@tyden13]

Cosmic Joe

[@llllemomn]

i’m so glad you guys had laraaji on here. he needs all the recognition he can get. he’s a true pioneer of ambient music!

[@newyorkfilharmonik110]

My cousin! He was with Donald Byrd and the Blackbyrds. He told me way back in the 70's he was bored with the western scale and started to play the autoharp. He gave me a cassette "Day of Radiance" that still kicks! Brian Eno produced him for a while.

[@torreydunn7034]

Listening to day of radiance right now. I remember his name from the old NPR show echoes from the 90s. How I discovered eno etc. amazing music!

[@hamiltonpainter]

If the soul could speak this is how it would sound.. this music helped me heal my cancer. Blessings Laaaji

[@rahkriga]

I did NOT expect that trip....THANK YOU!!!!

[@sammywestenberger9303]

YOU’RE WELCOME

[@Kaleubs]

Decided to listen to this at work, my chair started to float. NPR have some powerfull mics. Good job Laraaji!

[@ewilliams9981]

Ahhhmazing music! Not to mention, this is what 76 years young looks like! We should all be so fortunate!

[@MoPoppins]

That man has the most beautiful hands. Very elegant and graceful.

[@Jetta32696]

Okay, not what I was expecting at all. For the first 1:30 or so, I felt like Arji was trying to hypnotize me with the chimes. From that point on, I felt like I should be somewhere naked on a catamaran having my chakras aligned by the ghosts of my ancestors. Laraaji's laugh is infectious! I'm so relaxed now and I can't explain it. Thank you for sharing.

[@abaneyone]

Tiny Desk is never short on variety! This is on another level musically, such wild yet simple sounds!

[@JarawaRadio]

I want to be like them when I'll be old

[@sidis7807]

I felt really angry and frustrated with myself whilst tripping, then I put this on and it infuriated me until it didn't. Thank you for helping me let go of my anger

[@lezam1000]

Are you still free from it? 🙂

[@SheyAnnaMarie]

This is the type of music I never knew I needed. I feel so oddly relaxed...in a good way.

[@ascetic3312]

Damned hippies. I love them.

[@hyma18]

as soon as the lady with the wind chimes got her own camera shot, i knew immediately that these cats probably did some major acid back in the day LOL

[@djwillyhomes]

and probably still doing...

[@Raven-ug8uw]

@@djwillyhomes stop. Lol.

[@ThirdDimensionalBeing]

I'm a little late but, he actually played with a group called Dallas acid.

[@kai19821]

:D

[@totalt6600]

15 mins of eternity. TY

[@mschambon]

I first heard of him back in the early 2000 on an odd dub album...I am thrilled he’s still out here and starting to get some recognition. A healer, a guide, a magnificent sound! Bless you Laraaji!

[@joncovell139]

He really is a healer and a guide to the Holy spirit, divine, etc. whatever you believe!

[@theinfamouspokeinrichmondc3543]

I woke up in a terrible mode. I watched this and now I am in a great mood. :)

[@SoaringSpear]

this is how his skin is so perfect

[@HankleburyTV]

The "Day of Radiance" album calmed my frayed nerves on many an occasion.

[@NOWtheband]

Jolly good.

[@mistery-ed7900]

Many years ago I picked up a record by Edward Larry Gordon and was pleasantly surprised by what I heard. Then Eno presented him as Laraaji I bought that not even realizing it was the same person. Finding this on my phone this morning is yet another pleasant surprise.

[@silverladderAZ]

Ambient 3?

[@silverladderAZ]

I first discovered Laraaji on a Virgin Records ambient compilation in the mid-90's. Those compilations also introduced me to a number of other unique and amazing artists that I continue to listen to today and have continued to seek out.

[@siscassie1]

Like who?

[@silverladderAZ]

@@siscassie1 David Sylvian, Holger Czukay, Amorphous Androgynous, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Robert Fripp, Rain Tree Crow, Jansen/Barbieri, Jah Wobble, Phil Manzanera, Prince Far I, Klaus Schulze, Edgar Froese, Laraaji, Irmin Schmidt, William Orbit, Trisan, Bill Laswell, Seigen Ono, Michael Brook, Harold Budd, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Future Sound of London, etc.

[@AndrewArrieta1]

@@silverladderAZ Amazing, thanks for following through with a reply!

[@silverladderAZ]

@@AndrewArrieta1 You're very welcome! Enjoy.

[@8wanda123]

love laraaji, finding his music recently was the best thing

[@ianroberts3948]

Live music is reality for me cos it's true musicianship. I think they nailed it

[@PepeHerreraH]

WOAAHH!!! What a fantastic journey they took me into.

[@lupitamihita1261]

Not expecting this but I soon got into the groove. It was just what I needed. I love these two people and their expressiveness

[@kushville1]

This is SO calming. And unexpectedly musical! Thank you! ❤️

[@lindettrawallace5045]

Indeed

[@ERRORFACE1]

sound quality is just awesome kudos to the engineers . pls do a behind the scenes band is pure dmt love it :)

[@ipsilonia]

this, forever.

[@WayneUpchurch]

This was Hugely refreshing, a tad nostalgic, and a welcome chance to See you, Larry! I will always remember our interview, back in the 90's, for the public radio station I worked with. You are my "go to" recommendation to people when the subject of laughter meditation comes up. Play On!

[@jonathonquinn4500]

I can't stop smiling when I listen to this

[@OneBeatOneLove]

Nice atmosphere! Pure chill out! Peace and love!

[@metalfoxhound]

This re-balanced my chakras

[@mchelo1979]

Laraaji is one of my musical heroes

[@deelot1]

I can’t believe he’s 75!

[@KPcpt]

deelot1 holy sheeeeee

[@namcat53]

Wait until you are much older, if you make it, then you will see it's very believable.

[@solpee]

Que lindo ver algo tan diferente! Y que transmita tanta paz. Los amé 💕💕

[@pacoxu175]

Sol Pereyra ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️

[@HEARTMACHINEPLUSULTRA]

What a great performance! Laraaji is such an exceptional musician.

[@latiamcdaniels5808]

Dope way to start my morning!!!!!

[@eljpeace]

Arte mezclado con las partículas del universo. 🙏🏽 Thanks from Cuba

[@graceaez]

NPR Music you are the bessst!! I've attended their session n met them in person, four years ago. Extraordinaryy!!

[@Pobotrol]

Loved Laraaji forever, the music and the laughter!

[@Funrecord]

thank you npr, for having laraaji

[@haydoatdawn7418]

I fell asleep approximately 65 times in a good way. Their music is so relaxing 😌

[@ralphb.2527]

The purity of music exemplified.

[@EricB256]

Now this really makes me wonder how great this kind of music would sound like if he got together with Ry Cooder playing the floor slide for that low end. There's a very real possibility for rock music to expand in this idea. I guess it would be pretty amazing.

[@lindaberg1695]

Wow, I feel like I should be smoking something lol. This is just beautiful and so calming....I love it a lot! ♥

[@michigancryprozoologysocie3155]

Beautifully Soothing

[@dichts]

I want to stay here forever

[@lanuca225]

thank you Laraaji

[@leo.israel]

Morgan Freeman being god. On acid.

[@Boulderair]

Anotha gem from NPR

[@MedSou]

*Totally love this* 👍👍👍👍👍

[@alexvasquez537]

This music transports me... to the Portland Saturday Market. Love em.

[@CooltitudeMusic]

Nice to see you play ! my master ! remember you meeting and master class in Paris kisses from Richard Maubert

[@triggawoods6888]

What in the Solfeggio frequencies is goin on here? I like it. I like it a lot.

[@ElDuke717]

I love this guy's music - I discovered it randomly on Spotify by looking for ambient music.

[@aeropilot4419]

Brian Eno’s Ambient #3 Day of Radiance👍🏼✨

[@TimothySweeney]

the sound of light

[@serrapark2745]

beautiful.

[@fergusonbillton3566]

I don't know if this is common knowledge, but since many people are talking about chakras: the words he is using are actually seed syllables corresponding to various chakras (LAM, VAM, SHAM, RAM etc.)

[@jmarvosa6x3]

Splendid!!!!

[@makeastatement1]

Immediately fell in love with! My first listen; thank you for this upload!

[@brotherbrian5625]

This is beautiful! I'm sure these two can play anything that they wish.

[@christophernettles2468]

What Laraaji has done for the black/African American Psyche is celestial ✨🫶🏾

[@alltimehiphop5318]

Astonishing performance, mad underrated✌️

[@namcat53]

Who exactly "underrated" it and why were they "mad"? Explain clearly.

[@TheCamper77]

My dog just fell asleep :) Great little concert!

[@TheDungeonDive]

YES! This is so good.

[@arthurkrems]

THIS IS SO HUGE. I have been a huge fan since Celestial Vibration (through). I hear the phaser, but how is my good friend Larry amplifying the zither????

[@Fuzzworth2000]

If LSD was a 15 min set... I ain't even mad at it

[@greatmindsthinkalike1378]

Oh my, this is so soothing!😍👍

[@SkyScannerBtown]

a gem like lucidity

[@Bestbeachesincalifornia]

I transcended!!!! Thank you I love you 😘🤟

[@innerspacesurfer]

I'm on acid and this is awesome.

[@songsalon7868]

I wanna be on Acid with this. POW

[@JamesSmith-vk2ky]

👍👏👏👏👏😎

[@neilcheeseburger]

Now try to see him live on acid. I did and it was amazing!!

[@innerspacesurfer]

@@neilcheeseburger i immediately checked his schedule and listened to him all morning. Unfortunately no shows in Portland.

[@oooo-dw7gg]

neilcheeseburger saw him live on mushrooms and it was Incredible!

[@imDezrt]

The flanging....holy fuuuuuuuuck what a dream

[@thegardenpear]

I want them to adopt me

[@storgs]

Thank you Laraaji, you shine!

[@clear_gray_sky539]

My root chakra is tingling

[@StratVallejo]

THIS IS PEACE.

[@bellavale4442]

música intuitiva e curativa ☆

[@jamierobinson4825]

Absolutely magnificent!

[@noahcoronado6807]

What a awesome,great,terrific experience this is.

[@aeropilot4419]

radiance ✨😉

[@fprintf]

Can we have some details on the iPad synth that Arji used please? I love the sounds they were making and there are so many iPad synths to choose from!

[@fontaholic]

check out 90s cd: Flow Goes the Universe (All Saints Records - 1992, produced by Michael Brook)

[@joncovell139]

I feel myself transcending to the eternal oneness with the divine!

[@JamesSmith-vk2ky]

So kind!!

[@Heilyb05]

Chills. . All over.

[@eileenponce4899]

Thank you 🦋 Auuummmmmm 🕉️💋

[@leviticus8362]

luved the yums 8:35

[@evedotcom]

"SET LIST 12345678..." ahahaha wonderful

[@guajatacakarst]

Now I know where Lily Tomlin got the inspiration for her Frankie... and Jacob. Lovely!

[@understandingnothing2445]

Wow.

[@funnyandrelatablecommercials]

I brake for Laraaji

[@letslaughtoday]

Thank you for your music!

[@nataliemscrzysxycoolharris9623]

*Made me think of Earth, Wind&Fire back in the day.*

[@sealevelbear]

I’m gonna miss the hippies when they’re gone.

[@evedotcom]

they will never leave

[@sealevelbear]

eve Every one dies eventually. I don’t mean hippies in general, I mean the original generation of them ;)

[@evedotcom]

@@sealevelbear oh yes, the OGs. true.

[@Koettnylle]

His rhythm section is tight

[@nosivadbor]

Incredible.

[@valeriabolivar1407]

Wow i feel so 🌾🍃🌿

[@jonatkinson108]

they will be in denver at rhinoceropolis this saturday

[@prenomnom8095]

Même la gourde est orange !