Shakti: Tiny Desk Concert

[@bikashtangha7904]

NPR just casually dropped one of their most wildest concerts. I cannot even fathom half of the talent I am being shown on this screen.

[@akarshrastogi3682]

This is possibly the pinnacle of the most virtuosic supergroup conceivable.

[@MurkyDregs]

Johnny Mac & Friends have been the GOATS for decades!

[@richardking-page2918]

Absolutely unbelievable!!!

[@CameronIsNotFunny]

@@akarshrastogi3682 I agree with you, but you’re forgetting about return to forever

[@karankarki5318]

Reply by Shankar Mahadevan - I am flabbergasted to see that how you used the word " Fathom" In this when it was not even necessary. Also, you are watching this, it's not being shown to you. It was already recorded. It's crazy to see that you find it the wildest concerts and trust me it's not. At last it's not a concert. 😂😂😂 Trust me I am so high , I have so much to write. 😅🎉🎉🎉

[@joanlansberry9160]

I checked this out after learning Shakti won Grammy for best global music album. Dang, they are GOOD! Great fun!

[@INDRAJEETKUMAR-bl7gv]

Me too❤

[@desigrrl08]

this isn't Shakti. this is a sad washed out simulacrum of Shakti. If you really want to know GOOD, please look up "Natural Elements" which was actually Shakti.

[@GauravKumar-bf2rq]

​@@desigrrl08 of course you the highly knowledgeable and intellectual Desi girl 08 who has won many accolades like the Grammy ofcourse would know of who or what is shakti. Rather than the people frrom the so called "actually Shakti" who are still performing in this iteration of Shakti.

[@desigrrl08]

@@GauravKumar-bf2rq yes actually i do know more than anyone who thinks Shankar Mahadevan is a "singer" 😂. Everyone here who thinks this band is Shakti has literally no understanding of what the real Shakti did with their first album. NO other band has come close, and certainly not this group here. Cry more.

[@ek6352]

​@@desigrrl08so even shankar mahadevan is not a singer in your eyes. Wow, you must have accomplished alot really.

[@Hagjerp]

I hope the live audience realize how big this is. World maestros/ world class musicians sitting together and performing in Tiny Desk! Simply amazing and brilliant.

[@JamosHeat]

​@@GetUpTheMountains Idk i think your being closed minded due to bias, im sure the audience appreciates or respects this music at a bare minimum. There is some really good stuff from all different types of music done by young and old on npr, the channel has been going for years and i think it does good things for music. Dont get me wrong im a big McLaughlin and shakti fan but i think its silly to believe that just cuz your young, you cant appreciate good musicianship.

[@JamosHeat]

​@@GetUpTheMountains haha alright fair enough, i do think its important to be open minded👌

[@akshayhere]

​@@GetUpTheMountainsIt's NPR. It's a general audience. It's always been like this, even 50 years ago.

[@neilwood8794]

Hear the audience enjoying…will you fk up ✌️

[@bradsmith6682]

I just wish I could even clap that well, save for everything else.

[@deputy442]

I come back to this video every few weeks to renew my faith in humanity.

[@ItayZ93]

❤

[@ArchtaD]

??!!

[@thanos879]

This ‘Tiny Desk’ series is one of the greatest things to happen in recent music history. The audio work is always great. It’s like we’re in the studio with them.

[@monikapopova9524]

👏👏👏

[@Libra_Strings]

It is

[@joseiovino]

Perfect for the 50-year celebration of Shakti!

[@elliotselmon7581]

DEFINITELY AGREE!! I LOVE IT!!

[@bemcphee]

@@Libra_Stringshh

[@AgrimGupta]

The music IQ in this frame is off-the-charts with these 5 maestros sitting together!

[@brainiac1595]

This is one of the wildest fusion combos folks. You have the violin and mridangam players from a Carnatic music background. You have the vocals from a mixed Carnatic and Hindustani tradition (person who also drops Bollywood pop bangers on the regular), with a Hindustani tabla legend. And then McLaughlin with the western jazz infusion. And NOTHING sounds out of place.

[@siamesevodka]

Yep. I’m only familiar with Shankar Mahadevan as one third of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, and not for his more ‘traditional’ work. Meanwhile, I mainly know John McLaughlin as a jazz fusion legend and Zakir Hussain as the supreme tabla player of my lifetime. I didn’t expect them all to mesh together this well.

[@uzairhannure4886]

every Indian grew up listening to Shankar's music in Bollywood, wasn't aware till today this band existed and couldn't be more glad

[@rashanliliah]

Worded perfectly. You earned your name for sure brainiac

[@harishs9003]

I accidentally found gold🤷‍♂️

[@CC-vw1cs]

Proud to be a southie ❤

[@MedlifeCrisis]

So many legends playing together! Magical. McLaughlin and Hussain are true giants of music.

[@Blend3rman]

Hey it's Dr Crisis!

[@shikaripurmanjunath2433]

Violinist Dr. Kumaresh is. One of the finest musician you can come across. I don’t have to say much about the group as they are legendary ❤❤❤

[@the_0_man]

i never thought you spoke without humour. appreciate your videos Dr!

[@KhmoshR]

For those who don’t know.. the Tabla drum player on the left is Ustaad Zakir Hussain the greatest (not one of the greatest) THE Greatest Tabla player past and present. His work is mesmerising..

[@bierdlll]

Anindo Chatterjee is right up there as well, in my opinion.

[@David-mw3sb]

Yes search for one of his solos. Different league.

[@jed88]

Presently, definitely not past though. Kind of inevitable when your father, Alla Rakha, sings you bols from time of conception and has continued to do so.

[@PutItOnMyPizza]

Just saw him in Monkey Man

[@CC-vw1cs]

They are all masters !

[@bakta-001]

usually people pay hundred of dollars to see this 5 legends, but we get this FREEEEEE !!!!!!, this video need reach more people guysssssss

[@ralphnsanders]

I experienced Mahavishnu Orchestra live when I was 21. I'm 72 now and had the best musical experience of my life seeing Shakti in Portland earlier this year. Thanks Tiny Desk. Superb.

[@kingrobert1st]

Likewise! At the time I thought they were just a flash in the pan! Great to see them still going strong.

[@gkisgk]

love to you Ralph

[@paulreese3071]

On top of being a phenomenal guitarist, the fact that McLaughlin is in the 80yr old ballpark and can sit like that makes me realize i should take better care of myself! 🤣🤣🤣

[@Kyllei]

So jealous!

[@ishanirathore8094]

You sir, are blessed.

[@abhinavrr446]

lotus fleet had me crying. As an indian American growing up, finding that kind of balance between American and indian identity has been difficult. As someone who grew up singing carnatic music and as a jazz guitarist in university, this group represents the fusion that I've been looking for my whole life, with people I look up to every day performing it.

[@sudha4128]

Lotus Feet, my favorite tune!

[@drtejashmodi]

Lotus feet made most of us crying..few would admit it publicly though..

[@leanaahmed]

Feel you on the dual identity ❤

[@positivevibration9256]

So true and authentic Merci Peace and Love ina your mind

[@heardrum]

I did the same, The power of music!

[@Tiubel]

0:00 Shrini's Dreams 8:54 Lotus Feet 13:25 Bending the Rules

[@takaotsu3592]

Wow! My mind is blown. I’ve been listening to Shakti for 30 years and they are on Tiny Desk! These are the OGs of fusion jazz. True pioneers.

[@Coloradiohead]

For sure! Used to listen to shakti all the time never thought they’d reform. But definitely pioneers of jazz and world fusion. Also huge fan of mahavishnu orchestra which started it all for me.

[@matto9734]

Exactly my thoughts! i know them since the 70s.

[@desigrrl08]

they were OGs yes. And it was only their one album, the first one, that has any meaning.

[@Rachs-jm6qz]

I saw Mahavishnu Orchestra live in Philadelphia at thr Academy of music when I was thirteen in 1968 - it changed my life for the better. Now I am 68 and I get to see and hear this Shakti tiny desk performance - what a world!

[@riodiooo]

The Mahavishnu Orchestra was founded in 1971.

[@Rachs-jm6qz]

Maybe I was fifteen

[@Rachs-jm6qz]

I could play many of their songs on guitar as a young lad - dance of Maya which is basically a 1-4-5 in E major

[@Rachs-jm6qz]

Most of the inner mounting flame album

[@Rachs-jm6qz]

Yes I was a freshman in high school Central high in Philly

[@stuartthorne4872]

Before we even get to the (absolutely amazing and transporting) music, am I the only one blown away by the fact that, at age eighty-one, John McLaughlin is able to sit in Lotus position for twenty minutes with such effortless ease? 🤯🎸🔥🎶🔥❤️💯🙌🏿🦁🌞

[@moc1609]

He did it for a lot longer than 20 minutes on their recent tour!!!!

[@MrEedward]

Good living! Probably vegetarian and does yoga every day.

[@Kingwavve]

I was shocked to see him

[@thesuncollective1475]

I know right, what a delightful surprise, wonderful!

[@danmiller5007]

He does whole concerts in that position

[@daveguy11]

Can I just add that John McLaughlin looks fantastic and appears to be in great shape? It's incredible that this musician dating back to the 1960s is still here and this amazingly vigorous!

[@mikejones-go8vz]

I saw Paul McCartney last weekend in the Gold Coast, Australia, 81 yrs old and he played 39 songs nonstop for 3 hours. The sixth concert in Oz and he was doing six more in Mexico and Brazil! Two incredible guys

[@derykdavid2849]

In John’s case…yoga, meditation and a vegetation diet and ten goddess Sarasvati blesses him everyday!!

[@newhey]

Wow, never thought I would see these guys on Tiny Desk, thank you! Please can we have Zakir Hussain solo next❤

[@joecostello1624]

Zakirji has also done a tiny desk with Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer. Its my favorite Tiny Desk besides this one.

[@goncalopadrao4243]

I've seen that trio once... Mindblowing! But Shakti with a bansuri player (like rakesh chaurasia) would be more HeartFULL... Anyhow, always a good surprise to watch these masters

[@Anttys_WeyTua_CTa_Eu986]

​@@joecostello1624Thank you! I will be digging for that right after this amazing performance.

[@sselmer]

Sir in the yellow shirt seems like such a good hang. Definitely gives a good hug

[@vandanaindramohan]

Selvaganesh Vinayakram... A legend just like his father Mr. Vikku Vinayakram who has also worked with this band. 😊❤

[@ChiviA84]

I'm a rap, RnB fan mostly but I do give other music a listen..... I've never heard anything like this and 🤯 I love it !!! Thanks!!!

[@NadaBabaHanumanAnanda]

Check out John McLaughlin & Shakti "Joy" (Live Montreux 1976) live music video on KZbin. One of my favorites from their early days!

[@Oneness100]

Handful of Beauty is my favorite of their studio recordings.

[@ChiviA84]

@@NadaBabaHanumanAnanda thank you I will

[@ChiviA84]

@@Oneness100 I appreciate it and will look into it. I love this.

[@samtraygis1337]

Go check out mahavishnu orchestra and be prepared to be blown away

[@Jay-ne2st]

Ok, at first I was furious as a Nigerian that we were snub but now I understand. These is music for the soul and truly deserve it.

[@NeilRaouf]

John is 80+ and still going. He changed my life. I first heard his trio recordings (with Al and Paco) as a teen. My perception of life shiftet forever in this very moment!

[@fj8623]

Saw those three in concert at an intimate venue in Los Angeles in the 80s. That was after following Mahavishnu and Return to Forever since the late 70s. Exposure to that level of innovation and talent does, indeed, change us.

[@cluebcke]

Passion, Grace and Fire! Doesn't really hold up for me musically any more but it's very enjoyable shredding. I'm not sure what I'm more envious of, McLaughlin''s talent or his knees.

[@NeilRaouf]

@@cluebcke dude. seriously?! 🤨🫣🥺😬

[@cluebcke]

@@NeilRaouf Yeah dude, I couldn't sit like that for 15 minutes and be able to walk later

[@JamosHeat]

Definitely, My music taste completely diverted when I heard John, Al and Paco.

[@timothydillow3160]

Watching John play with Shakti just a few feet away as a 17-year-old guitar student, was a spiritual epiphany. Not many are able to master their life as well as their instrument.

[@RonanSkillen8]

Shakti is the one band that has been with me the longest, continues to inspire and give me hope for this planet. The fact that John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain even met at all, invented a whole genre of music and continue to play together, 50 years later, is as mystically awesome as music itself. What a treat this is. Thank you NPR 🙏🏽

[@gustavocortesmunizaga814]

Mistically…what an appropriate word!

[@finarollerz]

Yes!

[@qb3863]

Woaw. Didn't expect Shankar Mahadevan on Tiny Desk Concert. He's one of the most versatile singers of India 🇮🇳

[@zanderventer6860]

The type of music where you do not want the audience to try clap along with! Complex timing with incredible synchronicity between vocals, strings and drums.

[@jeffwolinski2659]

Ha, yes, please no horrific off beat clapping!

[@spdcrzy]

You can't try unless you yourself are equally skilled or at the very least well trained and have experience. I'm 30 now, I've played tabla my entire life, and it's only NOW that I'm really able to appreciate Shakti from a Western as well an an Eastern viewpoint. For me, Indian classical is the norm. So I'm used to the insane rhythm, but not in combination with jazz song structure and melody. But now, having listened to so much classical growing up and absorbing it subconsciously, I'm now able to barely keep up with this. 😂😂😂

[@joshriley2574]

The sheer joy of these amazing musicians even outweighs their virtuosity - this incarnation is as relevant and fresh as it was decades ago.

[@aryabanerjee1179]

Exactly so! Felt the same way, Indians have access to something divine truly, it just really cannot be deduced into words, but maybe music!

[@wereleeroads9311]

@@aryabanerjee1179 I don't think it's only Indians by any stretch, but these guys clearly do. This is pure communication and mastery of all elements, melody, rhythm, improvisation, and even a little harmony (but less of that). This is some of the best music being made today.

[@alexaalexa6524]

The same👏☺💖

[@nandanpandit5456]

The one and only Ustad ji Zakir Hussain, the incomparable Shankar Mahadevan and John McLaughlin just casually sitting and jamming. Simply mind-blowing.

[@moumitaghosh3051]

Just Wao🎉👌👌👌👌❤️

[@Memo2Self]

What really struck me was how COMPOSED a lot of this is. It sounds like improvisation and then someone else joins in, and then someone else, and then someone ELSE - and jeez loueez, they know it by HEART! This was just glorious.

[@jhorneman]

A lot of Mahavishnu is like that too. “Oh, that’s some great improvised shredding… wait two other musicians are playing the same thing.”

[@SA_SovereigntyForPatriots]

Yes, it is improvised but drawn from very well known Ragas(Melodies) and Tala(Rhythms), known by all great Indian music practitioners plus the added flavor of western jazz.

[@avitee5308]

Hmm, Not sure if that's accurate. This follows the Indian Raag system, where there is a framework and within that framework there is free improvisation, so resolutions meet, but doesn't mean it's pre-planned.

[@spdcrzy]

There are extremely long phrases and progressions that are most definitely memorized as part of the composition and raag structure itself. The konnakol is a great example.

[@venkatanujd8267]

"Lotus Feet" is so transcendental. It brought tears to my eyes. Truly other-worldly.

[@joebloe33]

It's crazy how complex yet melodic these 5 masters are effortlessly playing here! blessed.

[@WithinPremises]

Whoever is responsible for making this possible needs a raise NOW

[@slashclash21bharat]

It’s no longer a tiny desk. It’s a giant desk. 🙌

[@abhiramis7206]

7:24-8:00 is transcendentally beautiful. all of the 570k views is me!!

[@brucewayne5916]

Have you seen a hundred people singing at same time , even though it’s not even their own language You can KZbin about Thyagaraja keetanalu live

[@MFDoomguy21]

You can skip to any part of this concert. They’re absolutely *jamming.*

[@bierdlll]

Shakti reminds us that music is a divine language, a language that many of us have forgotten. This music is so free, and so full of joy.

[@TimDicksonMusic]

Shakti is like being wrapped in musical Joy.

[@Aamo11]

I don't know why, but I always come back to this video if I'm having a hard time, it just has this magical ability to either let me cry when I'm holding back my sadness, or make me smile ear to ear and forget the pain. I've easily watched this video more than 30 times, and I know I'll always keep coming back.

[@ProducerBoy650]

Bravo TDC!!!! I'm tracing a line right back to OG Mahavishunu Orchestra. I'll never forget walking into a record store in Austin, Texas, and hearing Birds of Fire being played. I was frozen in place, listening to something about which I had no cultural references, yet was speaking directly to my soul. I went to the counter, bought a copy, and began a musical journey that is still going strong.

[@gourighosh4167]

Why people not learn from these great musicians what is unity , harmony in life , what is spirituality bring all closer . Wonderful.

[@officeboy9779]

Would ask Mr Zakir Hussein and Mr Mac Laughlin, if their beliefs:The Abhrhamic CULTS, contain of the Musciology? Is the music part of the Abhrhamic CULTS? No So, what absurdity of the communal harmony?

[@gopalJayasai]

@@officeboy9779

[@thirdeyes9993]

"Lotus Feet" I don't know but I cry when I listen to this beautiful piece.

[@SUFISCORE]

Legendary

[@danl9020]

I put my ignorance out there I had never heard of this group before but now I know! Just incredible music and musical talent. Thank you Tiny Desk!!

[@LaggardInLove]

They are not a group as such, various musical pioneers have come together to perform.

[@benthomas7629]

You HAVE to listen to the three great Shakti albums from the 70s then ("Handful of Beauty", "Natural Elements", and the live album "Shakti with John McLaughlin"). You will be blown away.

[@victoriouse]

I urge you to check out Zakir Hussains Making Music album.

[@spdcrzy]

4x7 + 4x3 = 28 + 12 = 40 quarter notes - which is ten beats. Absolutely beautiful interpretation of jhaptaal.

[@almendratlilkouatl]

I thought it would be tentaal omg

[@spdcrzy]

@@almendratlilkouatl nope lol. Think about the overall structure.

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

One of the most amazing shows I ever saw was the John McLaughlin Trio, with Kai Eckhardt and Trilok Gurtu, in the 80's. This is just as amazing, if not moreso. But if you've never seen Trilok, you're missing out on something else very special as well.

[@shreyasiyengar8408]

Greatest drummer / percussionist of all time IMO. His stuff with Joe Zawinul blew my mind when I first heard it.

[@DarrenNealis]

I saw that trio with Trilok in Chicago in 1989 and it was a game changer for me. Put me on a different path musically. Recently saw the Shakti show in Portland, OR and it was just fantastic.

[@tonyevans9999]

oh yes, never saw them but have the live recording, mindbendingly beautiful

[@KirkSandall]

I saw that trio in 1989 but with Jonas Hellborg filling in for Jeff Berlin. And, yes, Trilok Gurtu is absolutely amazing.

[@apetrochenkov]

Мне сейчас 72, но Mahavishnu Orchestra, группу прогрессивного рока, образованную в Нью-Йорке в 1971 году британским гитаристом Джоном Маклафлином, я впервые услышал более полувека назад и не устаю наслаждаться. Мелодии тех лет и сегодня узнаваемы. Это здорово. Всех благ и успехов музыкантам Shakti!

[@tonybott5644]

I have so much appreciation for what NPR continues to put behind the desk. Seeing this Shakti performance (behind a clean desk) was magic. As a teacher, all of my students will be walking into class today and getting a taste of Shakti. I truly hope a few of them rewatch this and search for more of this amazing music. My inner muse is so happy.

[@eduardolemossouza4087]

thanks for this absolute beauty, Tiny Desk Team; my deepest gratitude to all Shakti players as well. Just a comment: Mr Ganesh Rajagopalan is playing a Five-Stringed violin; a variant of the violin with an extra string usually tuned below the Low G - either a Low C or Low D. Happy Christmas Season to you all.

[@paulflute]

he is indeed .. but he only really needs one.. ;9)

[@zoro789]

i can't believe you got john mclaughlin AND the band to play on TDC. this is the best day ever 😄

[@JoySaha_music_maania]

They're not 'the band'! Some of them are the biggest names of Indian music!

[@avitee5308]

Lol, this is funny, for us in India, we have no idea who John McLaughlin is, I thought he was a side player. For us the rest are absolute legends.

[@TerrysQuest]

I got to see Mahavishnu a bunch of times, and Shakti teice when the first albums came out. This is the most complex music in the world, yet it flows. Notice how they come out of a blindingly fast passage and stop on a dime together? Then start again, then STOP. Never a note out of place. To my ear these are the most virtuosic musicians on the planet.

[@TRUETOILETTENPAPIER]

imagine having the honor of even sitting in the same room as such musicians, let alone hearing them play in such an intimate setting… the people who work at this office are truly blessed

[@MagicSmoke11]

5 Musicians from 5 different background making Sync of Life.!. Incredible❤

[@ayshfm]

This is what being in presence of something divine feels like.

[@rtoriq]

Man this blew my mind! No idea this fusion existed! Only thing I knew about was Ravi Shankar, but that’s it. This is a whole refreshing mood. Gonna dig into their work.

[@AlexTuble]

Almost can’t believe John McLaughlin is 81 years old!

[@padmaraghmohan4050]

Lotus feet is the most beautiful song I have heard in my life

[@robbin3526dj]

Holy smokes 🤯 Shakti on tiny desk . Thank you universe ❤️

[@SudipBishwakarma]

This is the greatest line up I've ever seen in Tiny Desk. Living legends

[@ameenSW]

It’s 31st Dec 2023 11:50pm here and I’m going from 2023 to 2024 listening to this video that an unknowable algorithm threw at me and I’m considering myself a very lucky person right now. Love you all. It’s alright. You’re alright. Hugs.

[@DizzyDigsDeeper]

I remember seeing Shakti play Central Park many years back as I was trippin’ on shrooms it was one of the best shows ever. Love these dudes.

[@AnushkaMaheshwari]

This is a showcase of such great musicianship. As a musician from India, made me feel like I was sitting right in front of these legendary musicians I have idolised for all of my life. With John McLaughlin. So grateful to be experiencing this. I'm super super happy to see Shankar Mahadevan on tiny desk. Made my entire year. It's enchanting.

[@jerryjohns7358]

Their enthusiasm is contagious!

[@tegknox2694]

I've been to a few John McLaughlin concerts and I've seen a few more. I don't recall him smiling quite as much as he has during this Instant masterpiece.

[@NichaelCramer]

I’ve long been a fan of John McLaughlin. One consistent feature of all the concerts (and videos) with him is how happy -or perhaps better, how _joyful_- everyone playing always seems. What wonderful music.

[@alexbecerramusic3820]

Discovered Shakti on Capital Public Radio, Sacramento this morning while listening to the "Acid Jazz" stream. Absolutely LOVED what I heard and then was STOKED to see this posted on the Tiny Desk channel. Shakti rules - Let's Goooooo!

[@sauravdagaSDaga1984]

Shankar Mahadevan with John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain...arguably the greatest assemble in fusion music..!!

[@terminalbungus9566]

Seeing this makes me wonder how I've slept on Shakti so long! It's like Mahavishnu Orchestra meets Hermeto Pascoal meets Indian raga... awesome. Not to mention that each musician here is so unbelievably talented! Wow!

[@tedsmith9580]

Saw Shakti first in 1973, the journey continues…John is a spiritual brother to me and Zakir inspired me to learn tabla from him!! 🙏🏻

[@HiroshiNasu_Gt]

ありがとうありがとう🥲感動しました🥲ありがとう🙏

[@SanAntoneRose]

This is wonderful. I love all these musicians. John McLaughlin is one of the greatest guitarists alive today. His love of jazz and Indian music has been a constant for decades. Mr. Shankar has the voice of an angel. Thanks for posting this.

[@aarizsaiyed]

Indian legends in one frame! Mazaa aagaya!

[@rocketpost1]

Utterly amazing and joyous music. I'm not religious but there is a spirituality in this music which is palpable. The musicians are on a higher level and simply feel the music passing through them.

[@Bullroarer1750]

Love this. Any project that has zakir or selvaGanesh is always a delight.

[@grg.leonte]

It's so great to hear "Lotus Feet" again! One of the greatest written pieces.

[@Dengee]

This sent chills of joy thru me...then after a couple minutes I realized it was the Mahavishnu!!!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@martinrenatus7031]

hi there, another Shakti fan from Indonesia🙏🏿❤️🤍

[@annielfc]

I LOVE Shankar Mahadevan! He's one of my favorite singers! I'm so glad I accidentally found this!

[@tmead07]

I saw the thumbnail and was like “ok, cool never heard of them but I’ll check it out.” And what?! Zakir Hussein and McLaughlin! How had I missed this group all this time. So good.

[@bradyhallvideos]

I heard some "end of the year best Tiny Desk Concerts" thing the other day and of course they picked a bunch of low hanging fruit ones and ignored this, the best one ever.

[@TheCrutiaolaggo]

Some of the most joyous music expression I have heard in a long while. Shankar Mahadevan is so much fun to listen to!

[@areascoda2912]

namaskara to these musicians. Bharat Ratna for all of them please.

[@vanshbatra1332]

this has to be my fav thing on youtube this year

[@user-zw2vi9zh4m]

With combined experience of 200 years, this will break barriers

[@spdcrzy]

Closer to 300 between them.

[@hazy1010]

After listening to this several times over the last 3 days, now I'm playing it in the background while working on my pages. Nothing like this to keep you high and joyful!!

[@bleh2222]

That second number is exactly what I always wanted, the melancholic Indian notes with a contrasting electric guitar.....thanks for that wonderful tune

[@acryptphotography3238]

As an Indian I've been a fan of Shankar Mahadevan while growing up! Thanks for bringing Shakti.

[@MrFmrainbow]

Shankar Mahadevan spoke at a fascist Hindu Nationalist event this month.

[@Baronnax]

@@MrFmrainbow And how does that alter the quality of his music?

[@mahalordx]

​@@MrFmrainbowYou make me like him more 😂

[@brianpatterson7332]

@@MrFmrainbow Really? If ture, that's so disappointing. Do you have any evidence for this claim? Zakir Hussain is a Muslim from Lahore in Pakistan - it would be surprising to find out he's good friends with a Hindutva fascist.

[@sauravdagaSDaga1984]

​@@brianpatterson7332Zakir Hussain is from India...born and raised..!!

[@nanana1643]

so cool to see Shankar Mahadevan at tiny desk!!

[@kunaljoshi630]

Never once would have imagined these guys on this stage. Madness.

[@saravananecarounanidy7296]

Absolutely mind-blowing music! Would have loved Vikku to be part of this (Ghatam sound is integral to Shakti soundscape) but his son does a great job of filling in the void. John Mclaughlin sitting in semi-lotus postion for 20min at 81years?! Wow! This new Shakti's music as divine & spiritual as the 70s 80s Shakti! Winning Grammy is but a small compliment to the level of muscicianship of these maestros.Thank you Tiny Desk! This needs to reach a few million views. Make Music, Not War.

[@georgeyphilip1873]

Treat to see these Ustads on Tiny Desk. ❤❤❤

[@hertor8803]

I have been to many great concerts over the years but the best was Shakti. It wasnt just a concert, it was a spiritual experience.

[@D-Gooner]

Omg❤ I never thought this collab could ever ever be coming on NPR. You guys did a great job!

[@KierkegaardOnacid-ln9nd]

Respect your sentiment, but this is not a 'collab'. They are a proper group and have been around for a long long time, of course some members changed. Peace! ✌️

[@akarshrastogi3682]

Colab?? Bruh

[@firstlast4874]

@@KierkegaardOnacid-ln9nd Think he meant Shakti-NPR collab

[@thesuncollective1475]

14:35 is heat

[@derickcraft3437]

Every true musicians will appreciate this incredible pool of talented & seasoned musicians without boundaries /relegion /race .

[@RonWinter335]

I was lucky enough to see Shakti live in 1978 at the Glenn Miller Ballroom on the CU Boulder campus. It was awesome...as is this!

[@shreya1631]

Need to mention Shankar Mahadevan here--as an Indian American, I had no idea who John McLaughlin was until rather recently. Shankar Mahadevan, however, was one of my very first introductions to music. Yes, I grew up with more of his bollywood works, but even those were so interesting, especially compared to the western pop I heard on the radio. He's someone who effortlessly blended indian and western, somthing which I've only seen AR Rahman do. His music helped me in so many ways. Seeing this global exchange today after being with him for many years is just beautiful.

[@GEoTize]

Beautiful. Saw the original Shakti in London, 1975, and saw this lineup last month in Davis CA. Thank you TinyDesk!!

[@UnitedElectric]

I was at the Davis show. Still buzzing weeks after. Flew in from SLC.

[@MinglingwithAI]

This is what internet is for, social media is for! Our generation - get your heads leveled up!

[@E2E2_E2E2]

Ooh ! That’s my « crazy dance moment » record since 2000 when I was 15. So happy to see you are still playing and healthy. Love from France 🇫🇷 ❤!

[@malcocreative]

Lifelong McLaughlin fan. His music truly changed the lives of a legion of 70's guitarists by showing us a way out of the BLUES BOX. Thanks man.

[@malcocreative]

I do wish you were playing on something other than a PRS. Maybe a scalloped neck 335. The PRS sounds muddy. But I love you JMcL

[@tonekilltech]

Saw them live at the Ryman in Nashville in August. One of the greatest music experiences of my life. Glad to see them shared with a broader audience here. 🙌

[@moc1609]

Do you know that that concert was also streamed/archived on KZbin?