Steve Kimock: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

May 16, 2016 by FELIX CONTRERAS • Those of us "of a certain age" have always been told to be true to ourselves, with the understanding that maturity will show us a better sense of our true selves. The hope is that we can move forward and look backward with both confidence and (hopefully) not a lot of regret.
But musicians of a certain age are often better off if they resist the tried-and-true and look for something new to stretch their sense of self. They rely on a body of work to inspire yet more growth; that way, their sound changes while still feeling familiar.
Pardon my philosophizing, but that's how I hear Steve Kimock's music - both in this video and on his latest album, Last Danger Of Frost. Long known for his electric-guitar work in improvisational settings, he's rightly considered a musician's musician. I've always thought of him as one of those gifted players whose dedication to his instrument is matched only by his imagination. There's joy in hearing Kimock play acoustically, with no filter (or pedals or amps) between his ideas and his fingers.
Special mention on this video goes to legendary bassist Bobby Vega, who commands his instrument as easily as he breathes or walks around. It's a rare treat to hear these musicians up close and unplugged.
Last Danger Of Frost is available now:
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/las...
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Last-Danger-Fro...
SET LIST:
"Careless Love"
"Tongue N' Groove"
"Surely This Day"
CREDITS:
Producers: Felix Contreras, Niki Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, Kara Frame, Nick Michaels; Production Assistant: Jackson Sinnenberg; Photo: NPR.
For more Tiny Desk concerts, subscribe to our podcast: www.npr.org/podcasts/510292/ti...

[@donaldgehre5964]

Kimock holds a rare place among Northern Californian musicians, as does Bobby Vega, because he keeps the flame burning from a special time in American musical history-if you know of what I speak. If you don't, take a time machine back to San Francisco in the 1960s and listen to the future now that it's the past.

[@ChefFrankyG]

One of the most under appreciated guitarists out there.

[@jimgroff6880]

legendary😂😂

[@5jhexp]

and bassists.

[@leejohnson7723]

Truth

[@reforest4fertility]

Who thinks he'd've been a better choice than John Mayer to replace Garcia's position in Dead & co?

[@FaqueGoogle-wo6ip]

umm mayer should have never been a choice

[@suziq143]

Tongue and Groove....Perfection

[@nolebuc1]

You always hear the names Clapton, Hendrix, Guy, Page mentioned among the "greats." Kimock should always be on the list. He is a true virtuoso.

[@shubhamlele5395]

That's a reach

[@kumsy7170]

@@shubhamlele5395 Garcia>Clapton

[@jimpowell6789]

@@kumsy7170 Not for those of us who have listened to him enough to have any idea, it's not a reach at all, it's a stone fact. Jerry called him his "favorite unknown known guitarist" -- and that was in about 1988 -- Jerry was always way ahead of the pack.

[@kumsy7170]

@@jimpowell6789 just saying garcia should always be mention among "greats"...

[@jimpowell6789]

@@kumsy7170 Yes, I understand and agree. I was trying to reply to shubhamlele but I musta hit the wrong button. Personally, I'm not that impressed by Clapton. He has that one incredible blue groove and when he's in it he's absolutely riveting. And other than that, nada. Michael Bloomfield is the same. Page has endless flash and lotsa moves, but not much taste. Hendrix and Jerry are in a league of their own and if Jimi had lived ... Buddy Guy is a blues great -- the real deal, not Clapton's museum blues. But there are others, too, of course -- Freddie King, T-Bone Walker ... Blues guitar is a whole other thing. Rock guitar is its own tradition. Kimock is a major figure. So was Cipollina, who is almost forgotten, it seems. And Jorma, while he would still play rock, was a major contender.

[@wilsgetchell6420]

The guitar intro to 'Careless Love' goes right to my soul........AND, she has a voice of an angel

[@kodejes]

Even though there is a very low chance for someone to read this,i really wanted to put this out there.Theese guys are fkin incredible.they made my day when i listened to them.I cant believe how they are not popoular,people need to listen to this.It gave me such a good vibe that nice guitar tone and everything.It touched my heart.Hope you guyz dont stop making these videos and these guyz dont stop singing!

[@ThatGuyThanus]

Just happened upon this one, although I've been enjoying Tiny Desk Concerts for a while.. KZbin throws up some great stuff, sometimes. Really glad this one found me!

[@donaldgehre5964]

They are popular anywhere people listen to good music.

[@MrWallybones]

Well said Tavi!

[@Queequeg61]

You should check out Zero.

[@oliverchapman51177]

I read it today. Kimmock. A treasure

[@m.r.abbink-gallagher9671]

Like a punch in the gut, I'm breathless. Like the sweetest kiss you just don't want it to end.

[@scribbles1313]

Tongue N' Groove is really a masterpiece! Start at 6:20 so sweet

[@mikeatl4953]

Kimock, a musicians musician for certain. Musical perfection. Leslie Mendelson is that the beauty singing and playing the keys? And kudos to the engineers, what a great recording. Sounds great.

[@jenniferkimock7481]

Steve Kimock w/ Bobby Vega, Leslie Mendelson & John Kimock

[@joemurray2523]

Bobby vega is one of the greatest of all time

[@mindbodylightsound10]

+Joe Murray yeah his name really needs to be in the title of this one.

[@sensorysyrynx]

Thanks very much for scratching my itch. I'm happy that NPR credits others involved in production, but wish the performers were included as well.

[@jellyfishrising]

Jennifer Kimock so grateful for this video.

[@mmullerman]

Amen

[@iphelper]

The way the guitar and bass resonate together is ON point.. sounds amazing. Thank you NPR for giving us this treat.

[@layersofmeta]

that's one benefit of playing together for so long, like a great pitcher/catcher relationship

[@jessedriscollmusic5962]

last song brought a tear to my eye. Music with heart and soul...

[@SuzieQnU]

Bravo!!! Exquisite crisp instrumental tones along with gorgeous vocals with the talented Leslie Mendelson. Legendary musicians who have perfected their craft!

[@LowTideComics]

Steve is the GOAT of Goats and you know it!! Just ask J. Garcia :)

[@ChrisPow]

Thanks for getting Steve, et al behind the desk, NPR Music.

[@Mathameer]

I appreciate this guitar player. Thank you so much!

[@Mathameer]

.. and the whole band! Everyone is so true.

[@drpepperr]

The vocalist has a beautiful voice!

[@Sovereign_Citizen_LEO]

The Steve Kimock Band/ Steve Kimock and Friends are an amazing band (world class).

[@Alanoffer]

Bobby vega on bass whoa

[@BilzGtar]

Never mind; did a little digging online. It's a Ribbecke "Halfling" bass (the Bobby Vega model). Beautiful sound, and great musicianship by everyone!

[@lapulapui]

What a treat... been chasing the dream of the finest tunes in the land, two weekends in a row at KWMF and HSMF... some came close, but no Kimock. This Summer he is Home however (second home) and more chances to be in the space he makes then. Petaluma Music Fest here we come!

[@0991ekul]

ive been waiting for a new favourite guitarist. thanks NPR

[@MickAv8r]

Holy shit that bass tone.

[@mikejosephson275]

bobby vega is a beast.

[@justinhaddad6309]

No one like kimock. Tongue and Groove is majestic

[@MrWallybones]

This video is fantastic ✌️with a special shout out to Leslie. What a singer! you have no idea how much I am connected to your voice. ❤️

[@superjay42]

Been listening to Steve and friends for over a decade, pleased to see that Kimock is big enough or notable enough to merit a Tiny Desk Concert. Kudos for that, NPR. (But shame on you for crediting yourselves and not the musicians. You're better than that.)

[@SanFranciscoFatboy]

who was the drummer?

[@wgbearden7776]

@@SanFranciscoFatboy his son

[@thesociableloner6165]

Makes me one huge beautiful goosebump

[@wilsgetchell6420]

This just made my Monday a WHOLE lot better !

[@CamKnoppMusic]

It'd be awesome to see Blake Mills do a Tiny Desk Concert!

[@john8658]

Beautiful version of Tongue and Groove!

[@fumbler8]

I saw Steve play with RatDog at their reunion show in 2012 at TRI and I was absolutely blown away. Incredibly player.

[@drewpetrey4668]

That Ribbecke Bass is unreal. But then again, Bobby Vega makes any bass sing.

[@thesociableloner6165]

Beautiful music!!Thanks

[@khund03]

Oh Hell Yeah!!! Steve Kimock and Bobby Vega

[@ArtBusker]

Muy bueno lo de Steve Kimock !!!! No lo conocía " Ahora sí !!! Gracias Tiny Desk "

[@MrFonseca75]

great singer

[@stevenboyd593]

Felix, the lady vocalist and amazing accompaniment on keyboard got no mention, for her to brave the studio was a feat, but to wade into t&g with such sensitivity ...

[@fullcircleproductions300]

Steve Kimock Epic

[@galenfrazer8541]

Best dynamics I've ever heard on a TDC

[@onelovedavid4565]

T & G, is saying so much, @Kimock and @Vega, you both are just AMAZING ARTISTS>>>>

[@BarthF]

Wonderful!

[@jearley22]

Wow, thats why they call them PRO's!!

[@RobertCourysr-vz3kn]

Airport rides that I wish were ready for a ride back

[@BenTheThird]

So good

[@torontolarrivee7965]

Beautiful

[@homosapien6779]

This is called so fucking great

[@adneria]

Love it.

[@wastagwaga]

Satellite City is a very interesting album. I'm glad Spotify recommended to me when it did.

[@JulianFernandez]

Woah. Amazing stuff.

[@frederikgroborsch3367]

awesome music!

[@contactkeithstack]

beautiful playing

[@tylerproctor7932]

Kimock is the best artist still on tour.

[@ajschroetlin2196]

I would add Tedeschi Trucks Band. 😁

[@jimpowell6789]

@@ajschroetlin2196 Trucks is good, too, yes. But by now Kimock is a classic. It's important to make a distinction between music and the music business, between genius artistry and pop stardom, between true beauty and hyped schlock. Kimock is the real deal and he has been for a very long time.

[@robertapettit6946]

Terrific!!!

[@bluesful]

Tongue N' Groove is such a great tune.

[@fendetestaspk]

fantastic...

[@MikeRowntree]

wonderful

[@simonbrooksstoryteller]

This is so good. I see they are touring. I hope they are recording too!

[@ajschroetlin2196]

My favorite living guitarist.

[@cynthiamiller1014]

lovely

[@ctrlsupp5044]

Magnifique

[@yousifa7354]

I love that resonator so much! I wish I could afford one.

[@leroy0053]

+Yousif Abuhamad hey man. i have a "recording king" tricone looks just like this one. they are great. and less than 1,000 US dollars. look into them. they sound amazing too!!!!

[@rq2757]

+Yousif Abuhamad Dobro makes a very affordable round neck four around 450. I have one and absolutely love it.

[@yousifa7354]

+TheQ I am planning on buying a dobro this summer, is the guitar worth it? Or is it not very weel built due to th eprice?

[@leroy0053]

i say check the recording king version out. i paid 800 for mine

[@rq2757]

Yousif Abuhamad I love mine, but guitars are very personal. I think it would be best to find the one you are interested in, and read reviews and watch videos. It's all up to you. If you can play it in a store before you buy it, that's even better. Then you'll know if you like it or not.

[@dalegypsy4309]

Happy bday steve

[@bobmarleyswar]

wonderful :)

[@JOEYBURNEM]

Damn this is good

[@chansfor]

What a fabulous little set. How come I never heard of him before Pandora popped up with him this morning?

[@rossaspinall5922]

Great music from Steve Kimock and the band. +Leslie Mendelson great singer and sexy to boot, thanks again tinydesk crystal clear sound

[@axelgrz]

good stuff.............

[@PoLytnin]

Wow!

[@OldSlydjook]

Soo good .. Bobby Vega´s back ;-))

[@ChadMcCulloch]

❤

[@christopheremge6288]

Klimtastic!

[@Dixielinemuzik]

I really wanna pick that second guitar up and play along with some 50s and 60s blues records..

[@jahac18]

Wow.

[@dankirley4507]

All those words in the description and you don't name the singer?

[@57tele]

Leslie Mendelson

[@Stereostupid]

That was lousy I thought myself

[@mitchellmitchell4066]

Leslie Mendelson.

[@RaulSanchez777]

Second song reminds me a lot of legend of Zelda music!

[@sirbanjorochambeaux]

Jerry Garcia called him "the greatest unknown guitar player" or something like that, and if you need proof hit the replay button.

[@zinc1024]

Fantastic. Would be nice to acknowledge all the musicians somewhere. Obviously Bobby V on bass, and I'm sure that's Steve's son on drums (first heard him at age 4 or so during intermission at a Zero show in SF in the 1990's!), what of the vocalist/pianist?

[@jwoodman]

Be nice to know the name of the excellent singer.

[@horvathadam]

+John Woodman her name is Leslie Mendelson

[@jwoodman]

+Adam Horvath Thank you!

[@fetermcblues]

nice

[@modelcitizen1977]

I'd love to know how they mic'd that vocal. super clean

[@freddegeus5484]

It looks like a Sennheiser MKH416, it's most commonly used in film and TV, its perfectly suited for the human voice, and has a great directionality, by which I mean that it doesnt pick up a lot of sound off axis! It is however, not a cheap microphone :)

[@lpndeadhead1961]

👍

[@SuffolkSpread]

Great band - heard this and bought his latest CD. But note that although some of the songs played here are quoted on the CD track list, they are solo guitar only versions. The band playing here seem to be referred to as "KIMOCK" a project that has not (yet?) released any albums.

[@57tele]

Recording one right now.

[@bayougtr]

Vintage Guitar Magazine brought me hear

[@stephenlabrode8193]

fucking kimock! Thanks for waking me up again 😎

[@MoriceFR]

the last song is incredible ! DADGAD tuning I think but not sure

[@MoriceFR]

it's ebeabe ! really nice to play

[@brendanreilly2580]

like butter

[@Semitotal]

Is that resonator guitar fretless? Dang.

[@1minrecording]

lined fretless

[@zeeeOgre]

Noticed and asked aloud myself, haha.

[@Dison2008]

That girl voice is soft and the guy guitar play great too

[@Phillyfast]

Does anyone know what acoustic bass that is that Bobby Vega is playing?

[@bassrob88]

Brian Fassbender it’s called a Hafling Acoustic Bass by Ribbecke ...I believe I spelled it right..lol it’s a beautiful instrument to say the least

[@CaptBattleship]

Could anyone tell me what kind of bass Bobby Vega is playing?

[@CaptBattleship]

nvm i found it: themusicemporium.com/guitars/used-vintage/halfling-bobby-vega-acoustic-bass-2005

[@thevilllllllllllllll]

what does this song mean to you?

[@OfficialFaces]

INVITE MODERN BASEBALL PLEASEEEE

[@coleemmersonhallman5329]

fretless resonator!??

[@57tele]

Yep. Tuned DADGAD but a whole step up.

[@SingleCoilVoodoo]

Fantastic!! Any idea what the tuning on the dobro might have been?

[@bradleyknudsen5228]

DADF#AD

[@SingleCoilVoodoo]

+Brad Knudsen much thanks!

[@jamespaulmitchell]

close-ish. DADGAD up a whole step. EBEABE

[@ODDEPOXY]

Where can I get that hoodie?

[@juancastelli2152]

Steve Kimock es un gran guitarrista, lastima que en este vídeo no puede jugar al 100%. Su música es más jam. Con decir que es de la escuela de guitarristas como Jerry Garcia con el cual ha tocado .

[@dejanmarkovic3040]

Druga stvar reklma za salon namestaja....

[@KSSmith-lm7nx]

what is the tuning on the lap slide setup, last song???

[@57tele]

DADGAD up a whole step.

[@HeartEvolutions]

Who is the singer?

[@jayorazi9784]

We need to get Steve and Tim Reynolds to get together w bob weir