Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds: Tiny Desk Concert

April 25, 2016 by JOSH ROGOSIN • Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds' punchy horn section, bluesy vocals and uniquely transformative harmonica solos instantly demand attention. Their obvious joy in playing music together is contagious, and they brought the party to Bob Boilen's desk in a big way.
The seven-piece band, named for the pigeons of New York's Penn Station, is made up of both friends and family. Arleigh Kincheloe (nicknamed Sister Sparrow) leads with her explosive vocals. Her brother, Jackson Kincheloe, makes his harmonicas sound like an organ one moment and a screeching guitar the next; he brought a collection of 48. Sasha Brown (guitar), Josh Myers (bass), Dan Boyden (drums), Phil Rodriguez (trumpet) and Brian Graham (baritone sax) round out the dynamic septet, which just released its first live album, Fowl Play.
Fowl Play is available now:
iTunes: itunes.apple.c...
Amazon: www.amazon.com...
Set List:
"Sugar"
"Catch Me If You Can"
"Mama Knows"
Credits:
Producers: Josh Rogosin, Niki Walker; Audio Engineers: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, Kara Frame, Nick Michaels; Production Assistant: Jackson Sinnenberg; Photo: Brandon Chew/NPR.
For more Tiny Desk concerts, subscribe to our podcast: www.npr.org/pod...

[@wullyjo9931]

Sister Sparrow is as dominant onstage as Tina Turner. Her voice is THE BEST, then she treats us with dance moves that show us how much she loves the songs she wrote. That being said, her backup band is like the Allman Brothers band, the Blues Brothers band and Sly and the Family Stone all fought for places on her team. Give them a bunch of listens, and like them too. How could you not?

[@cheythedime.7]

the tuna turner comparison… idk if i’m able to agree with that lol but you’re right she has an amazing voice!

[@NikonErik]

I was at a fuction a while back. It was an open event with open seating around large round tables. I was the only one left at the table as I was late to dinner. First the horn players walked up and asked if they could join me. We chatted. Great guys. Then the rest of the band showed up and sat in the remaining seats. Sister Sparrow sat to my immediate left! 😮 Im like whaaaat? (On the inside) On the outside I'm trying to talk and make conversation through my non-stop grin! What a super nice lady and memorable evening!

[@beyourselfth]

Astounding. This is what music needs to sound like. Real voice. Real instruments. Beautiful sound.

[@sarahsmith4941]

The first like... five notes out of her mouth had me almost pressing the next button, but I'm so glad I stuck around. This girl can SANG! Her band gets down too :)

[@moderncrybaby]

lol I thought the same thing. Sometimes you just need a moment to find your groove!

[@EnzoGiannotti]

Im constantly expecting her voice to break into pieces at any time...and I love it!

[@ericseader414]

I've been following them since their early 2009 residency at Rockwood Music Hall and have been in love ever since...enough to get their logo permanently inked on my skin. The pride I feel for these wonderful people getting the recognition they deserve is beyond the moon. If you haven't seen them live, they will most likely be in you town soon. :-)

[@lilamontoya5609]

I loveee Rockwood Its reopened now

[@Brightandheavy]

Man they bring the heat. I wish them so much success and well being in life. The emotions they give are just so good.

[@mayplace1961]

I'm 55 and hate when people my age say that todays music sucks . .there is great music today . .. prime example!

[@warvandal3443]

me too 1st day of spring '61!

[@dianeevans2281]

i think it's because this type of music NEVER gets on the radio, it is hidden away from mainstream, that is what is tragic

[@warvandal3443]

+Diane Evans It's superb! Have you checked Daymé Arocena too?☺

[@ianlambert8034]

Chicken! I'm 74 and I love this! TTB too! That's because I grew up with he greats of the 60's &70's , so my ears are tuned in!

[@JohnnyRocker2010]

Exactly, you just hafta poke around. They have a great sound!

[@royjunior3349]

Great sound. It’s like blues grew up in the 21st century. Love this girl. She’s a cross between Bonnie and Janice.

[@dougfireside2120]

And a little Susan T

[@the_other_dude]

John Krasinski on bass and laying them tasty grooves in _the office_ of NPR.

[@spencererickson4505]

hahaha I thought the exact same thing!

[@cmcrombie024]

@@spencererickson4505 Like John Krasinski meets Keanu Reeves!

[@THEspindoctor84]

yo I immediately tried to find the bass player....and you're totally right!

[@NachoTimelord]

Lol...with Felicia Day on vocals 😂

[@3737slim]

Honestly never heard of her b4 but oh thank the Lord Jesus I found her here...simply amazing breath taking

[@kylewhitehead1684]

I clicked on this video because I saw a harmonica player and those are rare these days even in blues and I was not disappointed. At the beginning I was looking around for a Hammond organ and it took me a while to realise the sound was actually coming from the harmonica. That shit's insane!

[@Rachhhell]

If you haven’t seen these guys live.. DO IT. unbelievable energy!

[@ScaryC71]

We need more music like this in the world!

[@obuchiteck]

Her voice is soooooooooo much better than those tiny hipster voices that everyone has been all about lately. It has soul and depth. Love it.

[@1994Scubasteve]

This x100! ^

[@daaronk]

everything has its place and style determines delivery...

[@lhmmhl1]

Oli McIntosh it's really generic if that's what you mean. And gives my douche chills when she does that "I ain't no ways tired" Hillary Clinton accent.

[@mondayfriendly3350]

gayyyyyyyy lmao

[@2acarpenter]

Oli, you should listen to the Tedeschi Trucks band if you have not already. Sister Sparrow reminds me a lot of Susan Tedeschi, their voices are both incredibly powerful and pure, and each band takes their own unique spin off of the blues.

[@MalcolmSchnoodle]

I love this band! Especially her and the guy with the beard. And the songs are great too.

[@mrcrotalusatrox1513]

For the love of god put these guys and St. Paul and Broken Bones together. People's minds would break in two.

[@1S1S1S]

Agreed 💥

[@dougfireside2120]

Yes! 100%.

[@dianeevans2281]

wow! love her voice, love the horns! she sounds like tedeschi!

[@wafflelaffle]

Dude right! They remind me so much of them.

[@ricocalle2221]

Npr.... You open my eyes to so much greatness. Thank you!

[@Darkstarczar]

i like how shes comedic with her notes its really cool and unique

[@Gilgabob]

Listening to Lake Street Drive and Apple Music said "I might also like Sister Sparrow". Yes. Yes I sure do! Weather Below is great start to finish!

[@VitalityMassage]

They all in their own little worlds yet still in perfect sync.

[@renekitty2]

I've seen this Tiny Desk like so many times completely because I love how she just goes from trash to gold. She actually has a very strong voice despite the random instability and it's cool to see her mess up and then get it back. And also I love it cuz the band is like amazing (and super cute!) and the music is just gr8

[@leahinparadise]

spunky, driven and vocak rhythm, and having horns was brilliant

[@0713PalomoJon]

this band knocked me off my feet! i was definitely caught off guard. I clicked the video on accident and next thing I knew I was moving my body to the beat. amazing!

[@roberotful]

this band has such an unbelievable energy and passion I'm so into it

[@amyo]

she's so cute

[@jeremiahfernandez9161]

right??

[@alberto-martino]

charming

[@AndreHebertFishing]

Indeed.

[@dougfireside2120]

Got turned on to them thanks to Spotify and was so glad to see they have already done a TDC. Her vocals coupled with the band are great. tons of soul, tons of heart. Can't wait to try and see them in concert. Thanks TDC and NPR for making this available.

[@jumanjicostco3248]

Their performance is so spiced and energetic in all the right ways, I love it

[@mountainhobbit1971]

wow…her voice is like super amazing and then it goes to some place that is like…'huh-what the hell was that?' and then it goes back to 'wow-super cool!'…very interesting.

[@mountainhobbit1971]

I agree and your explanation makes perfect sense!

[@BonkoTheFat]

I agree but I think the explanation is that she kinda just sucks and probably has a lot of money to hire musicians. Bob really struck out on this one.

[@jimrauh3584]

Sucks, eh? What the hell are you talking about? The Sister is quite versatile, an excellent showwoman and has an excellent band backing her. Don't talk unless you have something backing what you are saying.

[@Ghadente]

she sings so effortlessly

[@justintierno]

It's not fair!!!

[@Kenroadrunner]

Holy Crap! My 87 year old ma, who lives in Florida turned me-on to this group. She saw them on Austin City Limits, so I figgered they weer worth looking-up. Glad I did. (I think I'm in love..... ;-)

[@lisabell3843]

Amazing! So happy to finally see them do a Tiny Desk Concert!!! SSDB kills it!

[@alistairmckee9561]

Utterly enjoyable to this old bloke from a South Pacific satellite state of the empire of sound and fury.. It's the rhythm, it's the ensemble collaboration, the vibe is upbeat. And there's the lyrics.. kinda apt for these times, times of disruption and re-synthesis. Lyrics strongly in the personal dimension, yet in the pop sound somehow with a knowingness about the world of mis-allocated wealth, as in "If you got money". A great act all round. Gratitude, really... And like Dylan, I reckon her voice is strong. Like, as rough a diamond as her humane references to eternal consolations of the love force. Howzat! Go Sister and go you Birds!

[@dianeevans2281]

i would love to hear her and Leon Bridges together, wow, now that would some soulful stuff!

[@dianeevans2281]

great music

[@wafflelaffle]

I know i literally just replied to a different comment of yours but dude, that'd be sick! lol

[@sillysongs19]

One of my favorite new groups. so much personality and the best of tunes

[@Eiki7]

the guitarist is so expressive in his playing... love it!!!!! and Arleigh is darn cute :D

[@SHA_1111]

The harmonica is so insane

[@courtneyhenley681]

DAYUM! Little sista is like Janis Joplin reincarnated. I got goosebumps. Just discovered them tonight! It's love at first hear!

[@LBBKPHILLY]

This gets better every time I listen. They were so good at that point. Loved seeing them live, small clubs in philly. Such talent.

[@MoriceFR]

Wow wow wow, the sound is awesome and this voice !!! Boom

[@mattvanroijen3915]

She's got some contagious charisma going on there. Not to mention the vocals! Tight band too, loved the soulzy last tune

I am so in love with Sugar and Sister Sparrow

[@slowdog294]

Blues you can use. Five stars. Bravo!

[@els1f]

That was really great! I love the way this is mic'd. sounds really natural.

[@afrofaust1913]

+Elsif You mean mastered, or produced. The sound was engineered by Josh Rogosin with (I'm assuming) assistance from the production crew. I only make this correction because the final product of NPR Music is always incredible, and they deserve full credit :)

[@daisetsujr]

Wow, what a great band, great music. I feel sorry for a lot of friends of my age who think the pop music has peaked in the 60s and early 70s. Obviously good music is written every day. Nice.

[@mbsnyderc]

My kind of Band.R&B,soul ,and some badass blues.

[@MrTimezone2]

This was just fantastic. Great Band and she can belt it out and is so chill.

[@etiennemiemczyk7081]

Made me smile so much I cried.

[@meredithramsey8066]

Her voice is phenomenal.

[@jujutsu_panda]

They are great and she has a killer voice!

[@12crows1]

Damn!!!! Loving that sound! and the musicianship is out of this world!!!

[@Redled_Original]

I love NPR. Greetings from Germany.

[@atofu9304]

+Redled72 Aye Kamerad von woher kommst du?

[@DrGingerHamster]

That girl can sing, and That band can play. Awesome sauce.

[@dmanansala]

st paul & the broken bones + sister sparrow & the dirty birds would make a phenomenal concert line up.

[@sillysongs19]

Add in the nightsweats and you have a fantastic rotation

[@lar8200]

And lake street dive! Holy shit what a line up

[@lindamedinasegura]

THIS PUT ME IN SO GOOD MOOD!!!!!!!!

[@Cupofgo]

I've been hoping they would get to the desk! Great job Bob!

[@davestone983]

The potential for this band is unlimited. Get with the songwriting birdies!

[@PinkAmadeus]

Twice in a row and it's still insufficient. You're killing me, Tiny Desk, softly but assuredly with so much beauty. Thanks! To Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds too, of course.

[@MrPnnUP]

super band with excellent musicians, to improve what was already well a good-looking singer in a clear and powerful and beautiful voice.

[@FULLonARMOR]

Wow just wow. I love you all

[@harrypostins4702]

Fully enticed from the very beginning to the very end. Great variation of sounds and wicked stage presence up there. NEW FAN.

[@fcukmegently]

Brilliant. Loved the session Sister Sparrow has a great voice, lovely looking woman too. Thank you.

[@Epicasfuk]

Her voice could chop down a mountain...

[@Jackwagon]

Super impressive musicianship. Lead's pipes and personality carry it perfectly. Good stuff!!!!!

[@mickymcl8359]

What an excellent voice, tight band, definitely a bit of Aretha in that voice, top knotch,

[@nikkijones7051]

NPR does the best live recordings, and this is the best of the bunch. Far our, gotta get me to the States.

[@Fjolde]

For whatever reason, they remind me of every song that was in the movies when I was growing up.

[@iananderson12796]

The Blues will never die!

[@mijlaid]

Wow there are thumbs down on this? How strange. Talent is talent no matter what the genre.

[@DMar651]

That harmonica shivers my soul

[@Marcelo-on9rc]

I did not know these guys!! fantastic voice and sound!!

[@deluxedoorman]

youtube autoplay brought me here from Julia Holter's Tiny Desk performance, and I'm glad it did!

[@roadsignsfranco]

It can't be possible not to love this. Got to be in the Tiny Desk top 10?

[@rickblackford8494]

love this singer with that band!

[@kaitlyngriffiths3417]

her voice is huge! She looks like she's barely even trying too! Amazing.

[@tostaduriarmllamadosintern2878]

Love this! she is light

[@jordanhartmann1745]

Arleigh looks like joy was condensed into human form.

[@larroldchonk4313]

Jordan Hartmann Like Inside Out? Lol

[@rocker4204]

YESSSSS SISTER SPARROW AND THE DIRTY BIRRRRDDDSSS!!!!

[@madogblue]

The holy spirit of funk and blues compels her!

[@aldralee]

Did that tiny white girl just come at us with that voice? Damn, Gina!

[@Cool7Songs]

The pipes!!!

[@vagentlemanpatriot4466]

Oh my goodness gracious, great googily moogily, The end of the second song was incredible.

[@tammiehayward7098]

wowowowowowowowo!!!! I am so happy right now!!!!

[@bobloblaw9639]

wow didnt expect this. impressive! absolutely loving the sax

[@DavidLRodgers]

That was amazing. I think I'm in love.

[@justintierno]

Holy crap this is absolutely incredible.

[@AnaJaramillocantanteguayaquil]

She is amazing. Great assemble.

[@torontolarrivee7965]

amazing voice and those horns are great

[@estebanjaviersalvatierra6786]

I love this, amazing

[@The_Oracle_of_time]

Very accomplished musicians.

[@coalafilmesfilmes8180]

Wow, what a powerful voice!! I've got goosebumps all over me!

[@johnallencrist.delosreyes9491]

THEY'RE ALL GODDAMN ENJOYING IT! I LOVE IT!

[@SilvastoneSimRacing]

omg! Can´t stop it... super band, what a voice! yeah!

[@tammydeleeuw8020]

Incredible performers. Exceptional sound. Love it!

[@Jbones72]

Big sound at that tiny desk!

[@donteatpoop4689]

They should do a show with St. Paul And The Broken Bones. It would be the greatest thing ever.

[@stiltthewilt]

Crying out for a swirling Hammond organ but a great fun loving band who obviously enjoy what they do

[@Mauriciovideomaker]

Monster sax player!

[@julijjm]

I'm totally in love for you, guys 🥰Amazing concert and band.