The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert From The Archives

We've been filming Tiny Desk concerts for more than 10 years. While revisiting our archives, we discovered that some of our earliest concerts never made it to KZbin!
Watch The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger’s Tiny Desk concert from 2010: www.npr.org/2010/12/08/131291...
Bob Boilen | November 17, 2010
The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger consists of two down-to-earth people with their heads in the clouds: Sean Lennon and Charlotte Kemp Muhl. Muhl is a model with a creative ear for music-making, while Lennon is the son of John and Yoko. Together, they write dreamy musings on everything from dark matter to the pedestrian and mundane.
The duo has recorded two albums: The first is called Acoustic Sessions, while the second will be electric. Acoustic Sessions was recorded in the bedroom and kitchen of the pair's New York City apartment, so it wasn't such a stretch for them to play in the cozy confines of the NPR Music offices. You can see their playful humor right from the start - and watch Lennon's mind wander as he looks out our fifth-floor windows.
The attraction for me lies in the whimsy of Muhl and Lennon's music, as well as the charm that oozes from their songs. This Tiny Desk concert offers a perfect introduction to their musical world.
Set List:
"Jardin du Luxembourg"
"Schroedinger's Cat"
"Dark Matter, White Noise"
"The World Was Made For Men"

[@cathya6559]

I met Sean Lennon and Charlotte when he did a small concert in upstate NY to benefit a farm animal sanctuary. I was first of all impressed with their music but even more so with just how nice they were. There was a bonfire after the concert and they were friendly and down to earth. I was very impressed.

[@deniseb3917]

Charlotte's great at all the instruments she touches, and there are a lot! How talented. Awesome.

[@_Jikky]

13:52 Sean disagrees.

[@t.c.o.g.773]

His fathers talent and voice haunts him I like his sound and together they both create beautiful sounds of music

[@katflowfishfisher878]

really .. how do You know anything about Sean or anyone else for that matter. It's your uninformed opinion .. only

[@whatdothlife4660]

Sean Lennon seems to be just as inspired by The Beatles and John Lennon as any other Beatles-Obsessed musician of his era and it's silly to fault him for it. He has really shown his mastery with TGoaSTT and The Claypool Lennon Delirium.

[@castor5810]

@@katflowfishfisher878 you're really annoying

[@katflowfishfisher878]

@@castor5810 It's all in you ha!

[@castor5810]

@@katflowfishfisher878 what is that even supposed to mean

[@theloniouscoltrane3778]

Sean Lennon's chord changes are great!

[@louieo.blevinsmusic4197]

I liked the way he played like a decade back better but this is dang good as well. When I was younger I remember thinking after Elliott Smith, Sean was the best at having great chord progressions without it coming off as excessive and still writing great as a singer/songwriter. Like in his song “Deadmeat.”

[@Beaut_Beau]

She is just insanely attractive.

[@rauldiazlopez9932]

Agree. Too much

[@raquelcavalcante3979]

And he is a little rude

[@antimurphy8212]

Sean has better taste than his dad did(the 2nd time around).

[@muncher64]

Agreed. But she needs to lose the gum.

[@lenihaylett4674]

you cant deny that.

[@raequinn9986]

This is the first I’ve heard of these two and I feel like I’ve missed them for a long time. Enchanting

[@robyoung9968]

This showcases how talented the really are...their harmonies so beautiful..

[@PentameronSV]

1:19 - *Jardin du Luxembourg* (3:51) 4:31 - *Schroedinger's Cat* (7:20) 8:41 - *Dark Matter, White Noise* (13:56) 14:27 - *The World Was Made for Men* (17:35)

[@howardwilliamsmusicproduct4952]

Nice dreamy quality!If you like this why not try googling ‘Le Temps by Howard Williams’ and find it on my new u tube channel Alongside the song there are some atmospheric black and white photos of Paris.Whats not to like!!

[@cruxofthecookie]

This is one of my favourite Tiny Desks.

[@olderwiser64]

Any “guy” as in “you guys ready” who can wear a dang tube top and play an accordion, take it off without losing said top, and also chew gum and sing, is just a rock star in my book. This is a gem!

[@annabrac]

Yes, she's excellent!

[@majortom4658]

Beyond exceptional !

[@loeuvrededieu]

She's stunning.

[@remimarkable4834]

Him: "I've never been this high during a show." Her: "Mahaa!"

[@thealeons3179]

I love in the beginning when the cameraman focuses in on Charlotte he's like holyshit this girl is gorgeous

[@deadscenedotcom]

Literally one of the finest performances I've seen and heard. So glad it made it up on the channel!

[@TorToroPorco]

Wonderful playfulness. Their music has a quality that you can’t ascribe to many other musicians, charm and character. It has a wonderful organic quality to it especially with their use of acoustic instruments that contrasts with so much of today’s music being produced on the computer. I saw them open for Beck a few years back and they had a wonderful quirkiness to their sound. You can see that he has inherited his father’s wit.

[@graciebautista8131]

Beautiful analogy. xoxo I saw them as well in a small intimate venue. Gorgeous, truly. Dark Matter plus World was made for Man. Amazing. He is his father's son indeed. 🧐🤯😚

[@rubym9107]

How so much beauty and talent can be stored in the same human being???

[@tonydalton459]

Jardin Du Luxembourg is just a terrific song. Very unusual melodically.

[@imagearistry441]

Hes so talented. They compliment one another. I remember when friendly fire came out. I was so blown away. I’ll def take a full listen to the album

[@ring015]

hes so underrated, everybody keeps saying hes bad without even trying their music. I dont know why everybody hates him, hes such a good musician and a person.

[@farrington7971]

She’s actually WAY more talented than Sean and I prefer Julian’s voice it’s more like John’s Sean is to nasal.

[@nnaru_555]

I never get bored watching this again and again

[@musicstewart9744]

“I don’t think I’ve ever been this high...while playing a show” . The sound you hear is dad cackling along.

[@margaretettinger6134]

That's genetics for ya'

[@mateamargo5261]

She is just so for him so glad they found each other

[@koilafinau6425]

I feel like they're a novel that's come to life 😍😍

[@rinammm2188]

This weird couple is just perfect and working perfectly cute for me.

[@shatterstar8733]

Also his acoustic sounds amazing and she is a gift!

[@mariahlvechat3735]

🧡😘💌

[@isaacquezada274]

The way he looks at her makes me melt

[@89cjenk]

Wow John Lennon’s son. I knew he seemed familiar. Charlotte is pretty dope I love that she plays lots of instruments. We want more.

[@jeffffro7674]

He used to play with two other insanely attractive Japanese girls in a band they called Cibo Matto. I was lucky enough to see them in a tiny venue in Lawrence KS, after the show he immediately went to the pinball machine and went to town on the thing! I talked with him for 20 minutes or so, got his autograph, which is something I rarely do but I couldn't pass that opportunity up! How often am I going to have that chance??!? The entire time I was conversing with him I couldn't help but think, my goodness! He is a perfect 50/50 split of both John and Yoko! It was almost like you are talking to both of them at once! He seems to be every bit as talented as his pops! Music just pours out of people like that.....

[@jeffffro7674]

@@Ethyl.breaks the Claypool Lennon Delirium is pretty wacked out stuff and one can't help but love it! Its similar to seeing a huge car wreck, once you see it, you can't look away and its something you won't forget very easily!

[@dancash5353]

He should be so much more popular it's not fair he's the best

[@dancash5353]

She's cool to

[@nigefal]

Based on what? Sean's voice is very weak, whiny wistful stuff no catchy melodies. Hipster elevator music at best. If anything Charlotte seems to have "it" when it comes to star quality, by sheer presence alone.

[@olawilliams25]

I can't believe this is 10 tears old...Bob why? This is stolen treasure...Looted and stashed away...Thank God it is rediscovered and released in my lifetime...Can you imagine them jamming with HER, Collier, Caesar and Alicia...??? We would be in heaven...

[@canicannonball4464]

in my opinion collier is so harmonically skilled and he pushes it so much that he completely ruins the natural part of Beauty in simplicity, I admire collier as a multi instrumentalist, and he seems to be such a nice guy, but personally the exaggerated rococo of his arrangement choices totally overloads (for me) the enjoyfull part of listening to the flow of a musical composition. this kind of arrangement being the exact opposite example of collier's overdubbing madness

[@olawilliams25]

@@canicannonball4464 I hate to agree that Collier can be a bit heavy on his own. But I think he does well with others and I imagine he will do excellently with these lovely folk.

[@mickeydemas]

This could be music for the next Tim Burton film.

[@giodiperna3484]

Yes, sounds like a melody by Danny Elfman

[@lenihaylett4674]

YES. OMG. WHY DIDNT I THINK OF THAT. lol

[@rikayuniorika]

I just realized that I'm obsessed with them. Their music and lyrics and the harmonies they've made is just beautiful ❤

[@jaivkoltun4729]

This is like a magical mystery tour thru' wonderland. . . Inspiring songs, lyrics, vocals and instrumentation, and they are so sweet together. A total delight. . .

[@shatterstar8733]

Sean is an amazing lyricist! Love this was into them from the beginning but glad to see this absolutely amazing!

[@tonydalton459]

Sean is a superb guitarist.

[@moaristyle]

they look like characters from scott pilgrim

[@jimmygillard]

so spot on

[@joseylawyer2492]

Good eye you have there!

[@pookz3067]

They just look like pretty generic New Yorkers lol

[@jorel5933]

Its cus this is from 2010 and every hipster dressed up like this

[@ivannair2201]

They look like where's wally's parents

[@bukeksiansu2112]

Amazing musicianship and the one pretty look just only a bonus. Best Tiny Desktop concert, for me.

[@TempleOfTheMartyrs]

some artists are given credit because their parents were super famous artists and so on... but Sean has got just as much talent as his father, in my opinion...

[@maxwell9211]

You should listen to the episode of Marc Marin's podcast with Sean Lennon. He talks a lot about that

[@TempleOfTheMartyrs]

@@maxwell9211 i will check that out for sure. thanks

[@RobertSlover]

fair enough, but the spirit of the music is basically a redundant solo john lennon sound.....

[@TempleOfTheMartyrs]

@@RobertSlover i do agree with the influence, but lets be honest. who is original these days? its very hard. so i think he is doing the best possible. i personally love what he is creating

[@RobertSlover]

@@TempleOfTheMartyrs fair enough man i like it as well, but the compositions are essentially john lennon pop tunes from a composer's perspective. descending minor themes etc. it is hard to be original at any time but i suppose that's the high one chases from creating something new(ish)!

[@brettwalker5446]

I am amazed at the incredible talent and beauty of GOASTT after all these years. The sexiness of Charlotte Kemp Muhl chewing gum while softly and expertly playing her instruments makes this clip a treasure to behold.

[@lihilihi5111]

They are just wonderful! And the music is wonderful two very talented people, play beautifully and sing beautifully and they are also a lovely couple and you can see in the video the love between them. I really enjoyed watching

[@kvetch23]

I loved these songs tons when I first heard them and they're still amazing! time flies!

[@warrenbartlett6405]

Just discovered this. Beautiful harmonies and songs peeps😊

[@monichaputri6860]

such an enjoyable and adorable performance

[@jarfo9663]

This has always been one of my favorite tiny desks concerts! I remember watching this about 7 years ago.

[@laurelweiner8]

I love you two....beautiful, soulful and creative and heartwarming

[@OscarMendezMartinez]

I kind of forgetten how much i like GOASTT...this mean only one thing: We need new music from them right away!

[@0000song0000]

it's a pandemic, let's tell then to do a post-apocalyptique album.

[@virisanctusvirisanctus7526]

What a magnificent duo!

[@erickenneycreative]

Two people who were meant to find each other .. beautiful

[@ardsy_ardsy]

Thanks NPR.. I always waiting to see them playing music together again

[@jeffroberts_tunes]

Who says she can't chew gum and play glockenspiel at the same time?

[@PalomaGotlegos]

Someone who can't do both.

[@KevinMichaelCallihan]

They sound very good to me, I love the different instrument sounds and their compatibility in song harmonies; a pretty sound that is highlighted with their personalities.

[@johnnym9602]

He sounded so much like his dad saying thank you after the second song

[@musicstewart9744]

Johnny M Glad I’m not the only one who thought that.

[@diegowushu]

It should be illegal to have both looks AND talent.

[@NathanHiggers-mp2eo]

What is she talented at?

[@GabrielMartinez-ec1il]

I love these lyrics and chord progressions! Reminds me of Silvio Rodriguez, the Cuban singer/songwriter of the nueva trova movement.

[@j877]

She's my platonic love❤

[@MsViolare]

Could listen to it again and again! Love this gentle fairy Tale Style!❤

[@tierraeterea]

Awesome unique style, carrying on his father's legacy of trippy yet catchy folk pop!

[@hangten1904]

This is that late 90s early 2000s indie sound, it got the same vibe as the band Elysian Fields.

[@sionkawlodarczyk4867]

They both are awesome! I just love them!

[@jamesmanriquez3493]

Love it.. I felt like I was watching a play

[@robyoung9968]

I love them together ,I love these songs.. Sean is a so talented and deserves acclaim. I love these intimate performances.. I’d love to see them perform like this all the time..

[@baronsaturday9560]

Odd? I think she's amazing...!

[@SoloGoodspeed]

Love you both.... Keep up the gorgeous ghostliness.

[@adilette1247]

Definitely one of the very few natural beauties in this world. She looks unreal. Great duo. Great voices. So sensual

[@lenihaylett4674]

it might sound strange but i love sean's music more than john's and thats weird to say. WHY AREN'T THESE GUYS POPULAR. ITS RIDICULOUS. THESE SONGS ARE JUST BEAUTIFUL, CRYPTIC AND LEGENDARY.

[@thatdude3977]

🐅

[@caseykreie1839]

3:50 "thank you very much." Sounded just like John.

[@Legendarywebhead]

This was such a delight!

[@hunterneely2995]

Love this band

[@olawilliams25]

This for me feels like a large basket of fresh fruits, nuts, seeds and flowers on a tiny desk beside a very tall bottle of Rosé😍🤩😘🥰

[@KNTIndustries]

This is the coolest band name ever.

[@RobertSlover]

no.

[@KNTIndustries]

@@RobertSlover cheers for that wee rab slevers

[@JJ-xt2cf]

Not even a little bit

[@KNTIndustries]

@@JJ-xt2cf great counter point, loved your examples.

[@RobertSlover]

@@KNTIndustries just accept your wrong and move on with your little life.....feel free to delete your irrelevant comment/profile thanks.

[@slingshotchicken4695]

These two are MAGIC!

[@olawilliams25]

This will always be amazing...I love her and I him too...Very much!

[@matthewgiffin9305]

Stunning

[@philippeforest8502]

Lovely folk songs, folks ! I just read Julia Baird's book on her brother John. That got me here. You both sing and play wonderfully. Cheers !

[@rome8180]

The composition of these songs is really good.

[@tommaski2483]

C’est excellent, j’adore !

[@nad4679]

Ces 2 là s’accordent merveilleusement 🎈🎈💓💓

[@5aphios]

This was actually quite lovely.

[@daleskidmore1685]

How beautiful was that! One of the best Tiny Desks I have seen.

[@jessepearson5579]

Mystical and Magic...So cool...Thanks

[@abuelacaradura]

such a beautiful and talented couple

[@youtnoobers]

What a perfect duo

[@netherdoone-mcclymont7619]

Great band, great album too.

[@MarkAHowell]

Sooooooo like his father's wonderful music... A Day in the Life... Mr Kite.... Sgt Pepper all come to mind... "can't be sure that I exist when you are not around..." So lovely... encapsulates their relationship too... She is his McCartney.... wonderful! marvellous.. and the way he says "Thank you..." that IS his father! miracles... "Don't think I've ever been this high when playing...".

[@dannyho6786]

I like these freaks !!

[@0000song0000]

thank you for bringing this videos back!!!

[@sylvielopez2686]

Tank you very much tiny desk for your support in the lockdown peace en love around the world merci beaucoup

[@XXyerbuaXk]

This was ten years ago!! 2010 good times...

[@l4rissabraga]

This is the coolest thing! pls bring more of these old gems

[@swanson_]

Very unique. I love it.

[@user-tg4ww6ke8t]

never seen such that close up shot for singer in tiny desk concert

[@dougfromClearwater]

Thanks appreciate the music

[@studiocelestedesign]

These two make me so happy. :))

[@christopherchuauhang4829]

I miss them so much!!

[@1shreckydude]

Amazing talent

[@4cido_D0ming0_Vinc3]

tears of joy when i hear Schroedingers cat...you look great!

[@romichelmes7496]

Amo fuerte a Sean!!!

[@ilzitek2419]

Thank you.

[@johnfritsky3859]

I’m a huge fan of both!

[@Thissbetterwork]

So beautiful. the woman and the music

[@phon_o_rama2169]

Great duo!

[@SonicFish51]

Sean is sooo cool. He looks just like the 70's art curator Samuel Adams Green. Sean is so awesome!

[@JacqualynTin]

Jardine du Luxembourg is one of my absolute favorite songs from GOASTT. The lyrics are clever, the musical arraignment is refreshing and lovely complimenting vocals with harmony. I'd like to see them performSean Lennon's "Parachute" together

[@crazy4beatles]

There's a video of them doing "Dead Meat" together which sounds really good.