Rhiannon Giddens: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Watch Rhiannon Giddens play "Ten Thousand Voices", "At the Purchaser's Option", "I'm On My Way" and "He Will See You Through" at the Tiny Desk.
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Sept. 16, 2019 | Bob Boilen -- There is an intensity to Rhiannon Giddens I could feel from the moment she arrived at the Tiny Desk, and her songs reflect that spirit. "Ten Thousand Voices," the first song in the set, was inspired by Rhiannon reading about the sub-Saharan slave trade. The follow-up piece was inspired by the American slave trade and a New England newspaper ad in the late 1700s of a young woman "for sale" and her 9-month old baby who was "at the purchaser's option." Rhiannon Giddens' thoughts of this young woman and how her life and her child were not under her control prompted the song "At the Purchaser's Option."
Despite its weightiness, Rhiannon Giddens' music is entertaining, and her voice, the melodies, and her accompaniment are engaging. But it is music infused with lessons and deep purpose - something all too rare in popular music in my opinion.
Three of the songs performed at the Tiny Desk are from her recent release, There Is No Other, recorded with her musical partner Francesco Turrisi. Francesco plays banjo, piano and frame drum here and is joined by Jason Sypher on upright bass. Rhiannon picks up a replica of an 1858 banjo for "I'm On My Way," which she says helps her access her ancestors. "So much beauty and so much horribleness wrapped up together seems to be our story," she says.
For her closing number, she focuses on the beauty. "You can call it whatever you want, 'gravity,' 'God,' whatever. There's a force that I believe in, and that's what I focus on." And with that the band takes us out on the beautiful gospel tune, "He Will See You Through."
SET LIST
"Ten Thousand Voices"
"At the Purchaser's Option"
"I'm On My Way"
"He Will See You Through"
MUSICIANS
Rhiannon Giddens: vocals, banjo; Francesco Turrisi: banjo, piano, frame drum; Jason Sypher; upright bass
CREDITS
Producers: Bob Boilen, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineers: Josh Rogosin, James Willetts; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Jeremiah Rhodes, Beck Harlan; Associate Producer: Bobby Carter; Production Assistant: Paul Georgoulis; Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey; VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann; Photo: Claire Harbage/NPR

[@jacicrimmccrary]

Rhiannon has one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard! And she's so intelligent and so humble! She is an American Treasure!

[@elspeth8476]

She gives me the chills when she sings. Very few singers have ever made me feel like that.

[@tonyamcrae9775]

The gentlemen who accompany her are just fantastic and their energy is phenomenal.

[@lauriehayscoffman767]

Thanks for highlighting this brilliant artist. Her research and compositions and representation and narrations and genius and golden voice are National treasures. Play her more.

[@jso6790]

She blows me away.... every single time. I actually use her song Julie in my African-American History class, because something about hearing the narrative sung, as she does, delivers the message so much more effectively than I ever could.

[@ReadLoveListen]

I have loved hearing her sing for years. It's wonderful for her to shine on Tiny Desk.

[@kalebmaskill8776]

Finally Rhiannon Giddens is here! Such an incredible artist. Glad her solo work is getting recognition behind the desk.

[@shardanette1]

Luv this woman. She is a National Treasure. Some of the songs are hard to listen to because they put a light on some of our lowest moments, but we are better for them being a part of our Songbook. And Oh, does she make them sound great.

[@YewrMan]

Putting light on the lowest moments can hopefully help us not to repeat the mistakes of the past. This woman is a legend, singing her angry protest songs to enlighten people about black history a very long way before it became fashionable to do so. Being proactive rather than reactive. And fabulous songs they are too.

[@sycophis6691]

I disagree wholeheartedly. She is the spirit of the blues (an intentionally sad and desperate musical form). Her song Julie is the highest art. She performs it as well as any artist has performed any work. It evokes emotion as much as art ought to do. Everything she does is this 'artful'. Forget the history of what she intends and the art, the emotion, of it is still just as powerful and intuitive.

[@SD_Alias]

"Putting light on the lowest moments…" Being German i can only second that. There have been so many horrible deeds done in the past that should never happen again. So put a light on it is the best way… Such a great singer…

[@anniejewkes5506]

@@sycophis6691 I disagree. I’m from North Carolina, as is Ms. Giddens. We can not forget that history. It is in our DNA. I don’t hear anger as much as I hear disgust and defiance.

[@otto8049]

Couldn't agree with you more. Love her too!

[@GINABEANA205]

This is pure art. Rhiannon Giddens, she is a national treasure. She bears witness to our history and turns it into art

[@toddrunt]

wow! She is off the charts! What a talent and Beautiful Human Being!!

[@welcometotheinternet4215]

Waking up to see Rhiannon on tiny desk on a Monday morning is such a beautiful thing.

[@audreya3265]

at the purchaser's option is so heart breaking...I can hear my soul cry...

[@drpepperr]

The piano line of "Purchaser's Option" complements her voice so beautifully.

[@wescollins2981]

I do not know how I would live without this woman's music in my life

[@lisarincon3527]

She is channeling so many souls, she is medicine, a song historian and a living memorial of tragedy not to ever be forgotten😢❤such painful beauty, such talent. Love and deeply moved✊🏾🪕🙏🏽

[@davemorrison193]

NPR you have done it again, introduced me to an amazing artiste. Love the instruments lyrics and this artist now and her words between songs were great on a tear jerking inspirational level. Thank you, your band, NPR and higher powers gravity for keeping us down to earth and God for making us all hear, see, feel and appreciate each other on a scale beyond our comprehension. Be blessed and continue being a blessing.

[@erichenry1853]

I'm here because I just discovered her on NPR TV. Ohhhh, My, Lord, Chilling! I rewound her and her sister singing, "One More Day," and for about an hour, until I just couldn't rewind live TV anymore 🌹

[@ZippyLeroux]

Ten thousand voices just breaking my heart from across the timeless desert....

[@artnouveau4332]

Her songs are truthful and honest they need to be heard . Whether she's with the Carolina Chocolate Drops or solo ,she's a seriously talented Woman

[@TheAcworthdude]

Some people say "She has the voice of a Angel" I say Angels wish they sounded like Rhiannon Giddens!

[@axel_fagerberg]

Some serious musicianship in this trio!

[@SOUNDsculptures]

Beautiful and spirited. A tonic for the ages.

[@neonsparky]

Serious talent behind that tiny desk...thank them for sharing their gift

[@tonyamcrae9775]

She glows and is very innovative! Her soul is strong and was meant to bring love to all those who hear her.

[@carlbowden4712]

Most pleased to see the fretless Banjo come out!!

[@carlbowden4712]

@Andrew Brent Okay, yeah her banjo, I believe Jim Martel only builds fretless banjos and she is quite famous for playing the fretless.

[@neurofire]

Love where she's coming from and look forward to where she's headed....meantime I think I'll just sit and soak this up. Thankyou NPR - and thankyou esp to RG.

[@LolaSebastian]

One of my top musical heroes. I couldn't tell you how many times I've watched this.

[@TheFeelButton]

My first time hearing you Rhiannon and Wow! Such powerful stuff!! 🙏☺

[@robynvanhorn5602]

I bought her album about a year ago. So powerful ❤️

[@DazzaDirect]

she used to perform with a group as "Carolina Chocolate Drops", been listening to her for a few years now, shes amazing ;-]

[@TheFeelButton]

@@DazzaDirect what a great name Carolina Chocolate Drops! 👍😀👍

[@judecaplin1860]

Look for her version of Wayfaring Stranger. Just amazing!! 😉😉

[@DazzaDirect]

@@judecaplin1860 one of my favourites from Rhiannon kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGK9ZYN3j71seNU ;-]

[@markmurray914]

WOW!!!! Such a beautiful voice from a beautiful woman.

[@KaufmanD9988]

An angel in human form! Wow, stopped me in my tracks when she sang, "He Will See You Through." Simply amazing.

[@antoniogoncalves5005]

She is tooooo gooood!! So much character and talent!

[@Paul_VK3HN]

Saw her and this band last night at Port Fairy Folk Festival (near Melbourne Australia), what a voice, what a performance, what a message! People talking about it all over this morning, including other artists. The quintessential contemporary folk artist, pointing out terrible historical truths with the voice Angels would envy!

[@abaneyone]

Wow this is great! So glad you got Rhiannon Giddens, she's really an amazing artist! Way to go again Tiny Desk!

[@greenmarcosu]

It took me long enough to find this and The Carolina Chocolate Drops - but WOW! What a wealth of amazing, soul stirring music!

[@VOLAIRE]

Thank you for always introducing more music 🙏

[@caroljohnson2018]

A lot I do not get. Tx tiny desk Wow words and music .200pp

[@franksabatino7576]

One of the world's most powerful voices, a banjo that sounds like an oud, and a song about our cruel history. Not a bad start for a concert...

[@sisterphyllis4753]

OMG! I love it. I've heard the 2nd song before. Of course it brought a mixture of feelings. To know the stories behind her writing of her music made it that much powerful. Her music has a Celtic flavor to it. Wow!

[@brothersintruth]

The voice for liberation around the world.

[@JoJo-bs1hz]

I saw her face and i was like "nashville"! I enjoyed that particular series that she was in. Great to learn she is an artist in her own right! Awesome lyricist, vocalist and musician 👏🏽👏🏽

[@laurentozzi3644]

She is a National Treasure indeed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@amber3368]

Why would anyone give this a thumbs down? Regardless of style or opinion, her blazen talent is obvious. True talent doesn’t vibe on the same frequency as those who give a thumbs down 😉 Rhiannon you’re just the best !!!!

[@mariaf1964]

I am truly blown away. Wow! Thank you for never disappointing me, NPR!

[@marim0y]

I love her! How great to see Rhiannon behind the tiny desk.

[@caroljohnson2018]

Wow and omg...m stone book

[@alainmichaud3140]

Quel talent c'est une étoile qui nous guide vers la beauté et la compassion. Et quels musiciens 😌🙏🕉

[@vanessalilianherbert8183]

Rhiannon Gidden is new to me...Thank you Tiny Desk...sitting up and listening !

[@morkchokolade]

Beautiful songs, and sad, been crying alot, such an important ting she does bringing the horrible stories forth, never to forget 🙏❣️

[@drocktheallmightyone]

Absolute love for this performance! 🎶💜🔥

[@shelly_lee]

seriously made me cry. thank you for introducing me to this amazing artist.

[@theskipper3203]

Look up “soulful” in any dictionary and I think you just might find a picture of this amazingly talented, beautiful, inspiring, creative, and musically passionate woman. May God continue to bless her-as He already has-with such a marvelous gift. I just happened upon her today and I see (hear) I’ve sure been missing a lot!

[@ElijahHMuied]

Deep, Beautiful Thought Provoking Music...

[@brinnar.2732]

So amazing, I've always admired story telling types of music and Giddens is spectacular at it. B#

[@lindamalone2538]

Rhiannon, Thank you, Blessed Be and Much Love ❤️

[@thesuddenheir]

Rhiannon figured out that she could squeeze in a fourth song into her TIny Desk if she played "At the Purchaser's Option" in 7/4 time. True genius

[@jeffcrusan2102]

Wicked! Francesco playing some more blues figures than usual on the piano was tasty too

[@rd4660]

Ohhhh, Rhiannon! Thanks for this.

[@myco_chaotix]

I have loved the CC Drops for years now! Rhiannon Giddens is a musical gem and I second everyone's comments about it being enjoyable for her soloing :)

[@TheMissOmni]

An old singing in a young body ruminates lyrical context way beyond the past to today. A soulful mix of sounds across times and cultures is a true heartfelt experience to listen to. thanks Rhianna & thanks npr!

[@ibassnote]

TheMissOmni Rhiannon;) Thanks for watching...

[@TheMissOmni]

@@ibassnote

[@johnbarnes6568]

A truly amazing and unique artist, brings absolute joy to all the senses.

[@rosaduchamp]

So happy to see Rhiannon on Tiny Desk! ✨ She’s my favorite artist of the moment... ❤️

[@swanhill5759]

Yes, I’ve been waiting for this. She’s so wonderful, one of the most beautiful voices and writers out there.

[@marymcleod8930]

She is totally awesome. I have seen her in person more than once🙏❤️🙏!!!

[@Evelaneful]

What a gorgeous voice! Loved it

[@antoniogoncalves5005]

Big Amen for her music!! so good

[@vivalaleta]

We saw her live in our small town years ago. What an opportunity that was.

[@judecaplin1860]

Almost broke my thumb hitting the like button as soon as i read Rhiannon Giddens, i am a bit dissapointed to not hear Wayfaring Stranger since her version is the absolute best ever but still loved hearing her beautiful voice

[@RebeccaEdwardsJamesEdwards]

All I just to really want to do is to thank Rhiannon Giddens for her incredible music. Thank You! You Are Amazing!!!!!!!!

[@isabelyrigoyen1921]

❤❤❤❤❤you’re so amazing! Thank you.

[@thomasrowley4245]

Thank you for the tears I just shed...

[@gdub999tub.]

Read about her in a recent Oberlin College alum magazine, and just had to find this. Very impressive.

[@homosoftommorow]

Ugh I love her so much.

[@paulbookbinder4899]

Seeing her at Glimmerglass this summer - a dream come true !!

[@End3rWi99in]

Simply glorious.

[@user-bf1dv4vn2t]

a gifted singer with a voice of gold

[@patriciastewart2239]

I just love you. Thank you ever so much! 🙏🎸🪕🎻🪘🥁🪗🎹🎺🎧🎤🎙️🎛️📯🎚️

[@DavidSSabb]

Was first introduced to her music via the Carolina Chocolate Drops at Merlefest in 2014, and have been a huge fan ever since. Glad to see her at the Tiny Desk.

[@fabiomoroni5099]

Thank you guys

[@durhamtiger]

The banjo sounds a lot like an oud in this. I'm not a banjo aficionado or anything but it's a very different sound than you usually expect from that instrument.

[@petersmall1574]

That's a good observation. Rhiannon Giddens has made some videos, available on You Tube, about the origins and evolution of the banjo, of how its form and sound changed over the years. Here's one she made with her band mates from The Carolina Chocolate Drops: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6DVY5yYbc6Lqsk. On their album Leaving Eden, she plays, on a five string gourd banjo, "Kerr's Negro Jig" which sounds an awful lot like a traditional Irish jig performed on an oud.

[@AR-ml9eo]

Yep. I believe it may be the first time a banjo was played like an Oud. Fantastic. He also played a Arab-Persian drum, the name of which escapes me. What a versatile musician.

[@FrancescoTurrisi]

I was experimenting with playing this original 1920's cello banjo with an oud pick and loved the sound of it. Please note that the banjo is strung with nylgut strings and therefore it's a completely different sound to the more common metal strings...Also in Turkey they play a banjo type of instrument called cumbus in a similar style to the Oud. The drum I played is the Iranian Daf

[@AR-ml9eo]

@@FrancescoTurrisi - Thanks for the clarification! I'm in awe.

[@demmierjevonmusic]

@@petersmall1574 its called a minstrel banjo

[@lani2023]

She is spectacular!

[@hollivybez]

I love her voice and storytelling - very talented

[@KevinMerinoCreations]

What a great performance! I am thankful I have been able to see her perform as part of the Carolina Chocolate Drops up close and in-person in Sugar Grove, NC at the Doc Watson festival. She possesses such a broad range of talent!👏👏👏

[@soyasoakobasoa1799]

Great music over here !

[@cindychristal441]

Amei o som do bandolim! 😍❤

[@planetdawson]

Very beautiful... Truly inspiring!

[@jeraldoacp]

Such a beautiful woman!

[@pmccann5811]

Simply stunning music.

[@TheGrasspond]

Intense focus, beautiful voice, incredibly beautiful woman--inside and out

[@yvangourmelon4399]

Banjo IS sooo good, and I love thé song's mood !!! Bonnar

[@Ellier215]

She’s the best!

[@RoyceHallTheExperience]

Saw her last week. Great artist!

[@MaryScottWalkingFool]

Fabulous music!!

[@sallycasas4170]

Rhiannon's voice and songs remind me of Buffy St. Marie's historical lyrics regarding Native American genocide and the war in Vietnam. Compassion, transparency, integrity and accountability for all!

[@audrytownsell360]

Love y’all !!!!

[@orangemoonglows2692]

this was quite touching.

[@alainmichaud3140]

Ce qui est impressionnant c'est combien chacun est concentré et délicat dans son jeux. 😌🙏🕉❤️

[@olivierkoval9982]

Super découverte

[@DanishDelight77]

Not heard her since Nashville series. Love it!!!

[@josephfazio7648]

Brava! 😍

[@seangage9088]

Amazing voice!

[@mchan1945]

So awesome!! Thank you to this woman for taking the National Folk Festival in Greensboro and starting The North Carolina Folk Fest with her work, and i'm sure her clout and financial win fall from winning The Genius Grant. North Carolina Music Moves

[@indigokids88]

Love this ❤❤❤

[@ThePathOfEudaimonia]

Beautiful.