ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- Dec. 17, 2018 | Lars Gotrich -- Growing up in the '90s, there was never a Christmas without Amy Grant's music. Home for Christmas, in particular, was a favorite around our household, its string-swept nostalgia wrapped around the family den like a warm blanket and a plate of cookies. So when I invited the Nashville pop singer to perform our annual holiday Tiny Desk, I had to bring my mom.
You could almost map Grant's fabulous four-decade career by those Christmas records (four in total, five if you count her reading of Jimmy Webb's The Animals' Christmas with Art Garfunkel). In them, you not only hear an artist progress - from '80s synth-pop to lush string arrangements to a contemporary Nashville sound - but as a person, as her own feelings and faith surrounding the season evolve with a mixture of melancholy and cheer.
"As I've gotten older, sometimes I've realized the bravest thing you can do at Christmas is go home," she tells the Tiny Desk audience after performing "To Be Together," from 2016's cozy, yet lived-in Tennessee Christmas. "Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is open the door and welcome everybody back."
And that's when it all comes home for Amy Grant. "Tennessee Christmas," written 35 years ago, takes on new meaning here - this was the first time she's performed the song since her father died this year. You see her eyes glisten, and her voice catch on the final "tender Tennessee Christmas," everyone feeling that wistful tenderness and offering some back in return.
To shake out her sadness, Grant dons reindeer antlers (generously provided by someone at NPR because of course someone at NPR keeps festive wear on hand) and dashes through a delightful version of "Jingle Bells." Happiest of holidays from all of us at NPR Music!
Tennessee Christmas is available now.
Set List
"To Be Together"
"Tennessee Christmas"
"Jingle Bells"
Credits
Producers: Lars Gotrich, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Kaylee Domzalski, CJ Riculan, Beck Harlan; Production Assistant: Brie Martin; Photo: Cameron Pollack/NPR
It's not Christmas, I haven't listened to an Amy Grant song in at least a couple of decades, but something led me here and I've probably listened to this song at least a dozen times in the last 24 hours. The harmonies on this song are spine tingling. The absolute joy that radiates across Amy's face when she begins the chorus and the other two ladies chime in vocally is why they sing music, why the musicians play music and why I listen to music. I'm 65, but music has brought me joy as long as I can remember. It can be a mood changer for me. This song has made me want to celebrate Christmas in mid April. Great job, Amy and company and thank you for sharing your gift.
You know its getting closer to Christmas when Amy Grant shows up.
A Legend at the tiny desk... Awesome music...
This is as far from my usual vibe as you can get but fuck it, Christmas spirit is universal 😂🤝
Good thing you did there, Tiny Desk. And thanks for all the years Amy. So good to see you here.
Amy Grant provides a quiet and soft serenity to the holidays that puts one at ease and reminds you of the true reason for the season.
She was also the very first artist I saw in concert, during her Unguarded tour in Hershey PA
I just love that lady! She has my heart and so many cherished memories of holiday spirit.
Thank you for featuring Amy Grant ! I didn't know I needed to hear her, but I really did!!
Too bad you didn't give credits to musicians/singers... Who are they ?
Amy Grant...and the band
I don't recognize the guitarists, but I am pretty sure the drummer is Greg Morrow.
Really love to see Amy Grant still beautiful & the voice never change since 20yrs ago
This was great! There is an authenticity to Amy in everything she does. Lots of warmth and just a down to earth honesty that comes through - just what we need at this time of year!
What great Sound and what a Great Drummer ! Well Done, and Merry Xmas 😬
lovely thank you npr. 🎄💗🎄💗
Is that Greg Morrow on drums? I remember seeing him a number of times with the band DeGarmo & Key. They were Amy's backing band for her "In Concert 2" album, I believe.
damn that drummer is tight!
(by the way never heard of Amy Grant.. I dont like christmas music ... and still ... couldnt stop listening)
love love love! and fierce fur amy. yasss! 🌲😍❤️
Amy! Sweet! My soul is like, instantly smoothed out from all the stress of the holidays ☕️ 🌲
Actually sad because she didnt perform "Baby, baby"
Beautiful performance, and the video and sound quality is fantastic! Thank you!
Amy...your JOYful spirit vibrantly resonates in your music & smile! So refreshing to see the gifts from within as Amy shares the real treasured gifts of CHRISTmas. Love the Martin 000-18 1937 Golden Era 1935 style Sunburst guitar..such a gorgeous instrument to express the music within Amy! Playing Tennessee CHRISTmas on mine. Yep...Amy's joyful voice makes it work so well. Seen Amy in Concert 5 times...looking forward to #6.
What’s with all the dislikes? Trolls
🔥🔥🔥
Who is listening this all the time
This voice is Phenomenal
0:52 💞💯
👇👇👇👇👇💗
I agree. Christmas isn’t Christmas without Amy Grant. Her music speaks to the soul. What a wonderful Christmas surprise to see this! Love you, Amy.
Amy! Your voice is absolutely gorgeous. Thank you for bringing joy and good cheer ― and making this holiday season memorable. Merry Christmas! 🛷🧣❄️🎄🎁🛍✨🎤🎸🎹🥁🎷🎺🎻📯🔊🎼🎶🎵
I have always loved Amy Grant and her music.
I was like “AMY GRANT”! What in the El Shaddai is going on today? What year is this? Is this lost footage from “Now That’s What I Call Christmas”?
Me three!
you guys are uber cool (maybe) aging hipsters perhaps? npr knows quality music with integrity and thus featured amy. plain and simple.
Lol 😂
@@gxramirez Honestly tho I can't think of a TDC that was more boring than this one. Like I could sit in on this band and I suck lmao
Bill_The_Neighbor your a dumbass lmaof
This is quite an unexpected surprise from TDC. I love many of their featured artist, and you can't beat their mix, it's just that this flavor of artist is... well... unexpected. But I enjoy Amy Grant. Thank you.
its a damn christmas miracle @ NPR
Fabulous! Love Amy Grant! Thank you!
0:00 To Be Together
5:05 Tennessee Christmas
10:23 Jingle Bells
Beautiful songs, heart warming sound. Nice, natural recording. Tip of the hat to Audio Engineer Josh Rogosin. I'm playing it again.
Woah, this is a nice surprise to wake up to!
love this!!!!! thanks amy and npr. this made my holiday. 🙌🏾
I grew up listening to Amy Grant and love her music but I really hate that she's wearing fur. I hope its fake. Why should animals have to suffer for someones fashion?
Since it isn't already listed in the video, the names of the performers are:
Amy Grant
- Vocals
Mike Brignardello - Bass
Kim Keyes - Backing Vocals (right)
Greg Morrow - Drums
I wasn't able to find the names of the other backing vocalist, the keys player or the guitarist, does anyone have their names?
couldn't agree more with the blurb here. "Home for Christmas" is IMHO the best Christmas album out there, hands down (it's the one my family always puts on when we're decorating our tree). The arrangements are just incredible and the production is unparalleled. It has a much different quality than her other albums. In fact, I've never found another album like it despite years of looking - would love to branch out my xmas repertoire, but hard to find its match. Anyone out there with a similar opinion of Home for Christmas, would love to hear suggestions for other similar (or just really good) albums.
Oooooo Baby, Baby this is so good!!
Amy is like a fine wine....just gets better year after year. She is so comfortable in her own skin and it is refreshing to see an artist who gets to the point where she just shows up and you get her real self, not a persona. Thanks NPR for this amazing surprise that brought tears to my eyes...the songs reminded me of the season and the things I am so grateful for in my life. ❤️❤️❤️
AMY!!!
I really like the Christmas song finally one I've not heard a million times and it's meaningful too! Rock it our Christmas style Amy Grant;
Where is the blood orange (dev hynes) tiny desk concert NPR?
Kim Keyes excelente cantante y percusionista...
I love when you can hear the back up singers killing vibrato
Amy Grant...sensacional! Musicas de qualidade
I only came here for El Shaddai...................
My all time favorite is Tennessee Christmas
Last time we went to Clinton TN it snowed on our way there just north of Chatanooga!! So love your heart we lost my mom a couple of years ago and so know how songs bring back memories
Hearing Amy and her crew was like going home. Thank you!
Walter White???
THANX! Once again Tiny Desk gives me a big SMILE :)
"Sometimes the bravest thing you can do at Christmas is go home" Such a true statement
I wish to thank you for sharing this awesome Christmas music video with me .
Please get Vulfpeck on tiny desk!!! If Amy Grant is here there’s no excuse!!!
Amazing guitar tone... so full
AMY GRANT!!!!!!
Amy Grant! Thank you! Thank you! Such a nice surprise to see her perform.
i can't
Joyeux Noël from France
i like it. From the very first minute after random clik. period
GET FLIGHT OF THE CONCORDS ON HERE!!!
I bet that the Relevant Magazine Podcast will mention this performance on an upcoming episode.
If they are into the comments, Hi, Jesse Carrey!
I never got into Amy Grant.
I would be fine if boygenius became the house band for NPR.
I have always loved Amy Grant and her music.
so much nashville
BRENT FAIYEZ
Good Music! Greetings from Brazil.
😍😍 alguém do brasil?? Curte aí😉
Baby, baby...
0:00 I DON’T THINK YOU’RE READY FOR THIS JELLY
So good. Tennessee Christmas is a Christmas song I have listened to ever since I was a kid. Amy Grant is a treasure.
Ooooohhh my goodness NPR u guys need to jump on this band Crumb for a tiny desk concert. They are Soo unique and amazing.
nice song
i am from Bangladesh
Oh god that version of Jingle Bells just after Cecily Strong murdered it on SNL, I can't. LOL
LOL I LOVED THAT SOO MUCH! ahahaha
Cecily - Meh!
She was a young pup back in the 80’s the years have passed but she still looks and sounds lovely.
Hi Marc, Amy just turned 58 a couple of weeks ago. In my book, she is still a youngster...
Marc Scordato She was the Only Christian singer I remember that became mainstream pop in the ‘80’s.
taoist40
I have fond memories of early Christian music musicians like Phil Keaggy Keith Green, Larry Norman, Second Chapter of Acts, Love Song, Petra De garmo & Key Resurrection Band. Fame and Fortune were not options back then. The music was genuine heartfelt and sincere . It was a part of a spiritual awaking in America back in the 70s and early 80s I have fond memories of this precious period of time .
Marc Scordato Keith Green was fantatic
Marc Scordato Hendrix admired Keaggy’s guitar playing when he was with Glass Harp..
i thought jingle bells was at 1.25 speed
1st song my current life
Kids squabbles in the car. 🤗
LOVE YOU Amy!!!!! Greetings from Mexico.
I feel for you amy you lost you dad lam losing my dad this Christmas and family is crazy. Here some love spread it around great songs Christmas can be a lonely time
The tiny desk looks beautiful
Hey Tiny Desk I'm a huge fan. You should have The Main Squeeze on. They are awesome and fit the format perfectly. Thank you!
She's still a babe! The first cd I ever got was for Christmas and it was Amy Grant - Heart in Motion
Loved that jingle bells rendition!!!
Please ask RajaKumari to come in. She's amazing. Check her music out. She's very versatile. Singer songwriter and rapper. She creates a cultural fusion that's beautiful. She truly embraces herself, her love for her home LA and her South Asian roots. ☺
Hi tiny desk, you should invite Belgian singer Angéle - a singer-songwriter with a remarkable grace and musicality and a certain virtuosity
Beautiful... Keep bringing the light . Amy !
great little show, yes that was a super-fun version of jingle bells! Great job.
Hola saludos desde Colombia, nos encantaría poder estar en su canal!!!!
very good, full of nostalgia. NEXT VULFPECK PLEASE
Super sound
Wow..it's July nowdays in EU, but wish it were Xmas !!! It's not even snowing...
@NPR Music Please npr santa bring the suitcase junket to the tiny desk!(:
Saw her at the Belcher Center in Longview, TX a few months ago! She was great!
Beautiful songs, great comments and cool outfit...thank you!
The vid and audio seems to be out of sync. More people who experience this? Otherwise amazingly beautiful.
I went back for a REPLAY in love so pure
My mommas gonna love this
Totally love this 👍👍👍👍👍
oh there's a family playing! so.............. well..
Anderson East, Allen Stone, fleet Foxes, Cody Johnson, Cody Jinks, 6lack, NF, Ray LaMontagne, Ben Howard, Bears Den... just some great artists that would be awesome for this!!
Vulfpeck
En qué lugar se realizan éstos acústicos? Estados Unidos?.
this warms my cold cold heart 😭😭😭
Musician and backup vocalists credits please. Thanks.