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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ต.ค. 2024
- Nov. 17, 2017 | Bob Boilen --
Benjamin Booker has a deeply tender voice that, at times, can feel like a whisper But it always cuts to the heart. "Believe," his opening number at the Tiny Desk has a yearning for something to hold on to, something to understand. It's a timeless desire which can be about the personal or the political. But on the second song, "Witness," the title track to his 2017 album, the 28-year-old New Orleans-based singer bears witness to both the racism he's experienced and the hatred still prevalent in our culture and reflected in the daily news.
The title cut is sung here with Saundra Williams (you may recognize her singing alongside the late Sharon Jones on a previous Tiny Desk Concert). The song reflects on two main questions: Will we be a witness to the wrong in the world and is that enough?
It's a potent message that questions the meaning of Booker's own life, but also asks listeners to question the meaning of theirs. The music bears the same sensitivity as the message and that's felt most powerfully in the restrained guitars that punctuate this heartfelt performance.
Set List
"Believe"
"Witness"
"Carry"
MUSICIANS
Benjamin Evan; Mikki Itzigsohn; Sam Hirschfelder; Matthew Zuk
CREDITS
Producers: Bob Boilen, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, CJ Riculan, Nicholas Garbaty; Editor: Bronson Arcuri; Production Assistant: Salvatore Maicki; Photo: Claire Harbage/NPR
For more Tiny Desk concerts, subscribe to our podcast.
![일상 속 기분 좋음 [Proto disco meme]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/DwmEIaZ7XGQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I miss you Benjamin booker! Hope that all is well. Your voice and lyrics are so emotionally charged, you move me. Thank you and I will always hope for a new album. Be blessed
The sound guy literally mixes better than most engineers. A lot of people throw around the “sounds better live” opinion but this show takes the cake. Everyone on here sounds better than their album version. They put even good studio mixes to shame.
UTTERLY DISAGREE here. I was front row listening to this whole band and bb was astounding. Never seen anything like it since. Tbh. Big up.
Been listening to Ben for years now, the second I saw this my mouse almost broke I clicked so fast. Such a great emotional voice, combined with a talented lyricist at such a young age. We are lucky to have him.
im sayinggg
Thanks for reply
There’s just something so sophisticated about the way he stands there with his arms behind his back
I was a choir boy 😏
Tiny desk is so awesome!!! Ive discovered soooooo many artists through them. Really diggen this
Word
Did not expect that voice
John Doe I said the same thing
If I was him I'd never stop singing
Keeping my eye on him. Looks like a baby Maxwell and there is a certain charm to him sounding like he has 2 Malboros and a shot of Jack D. every morning for breakfast lol.
Mmm still waiting (4years on) .good on Benjamin booker. Brilliant brilliant brilliant.thanks.come back to Scotland UK.
Always a part of my life. Wife & I saw him perform this album before our date and immediately decided to use “Believe” as our wedding song. Thank you for the memory, Benjamin Booker
Him and Anderson paak on a record...man
Their voices are really similar
why would you want 2 singers that sound almost the same on the same record? Just duplicate the vocals it would be cheaper.
Eric G Anderson paak has a more lighter rapsy voice, I think it will work well.
It's like you read my mind as soon as I saw that I was like you know what he would go really well with Anderson pack and then hear your comment was we are on the same wavelength man
Him and Anderson Paak on a BBNG record more like
How did this guy not become huge? This is just beautiful!
This was the most pleasant random click I’ve done in ages. His voice actually surprised me.
Benny Bookmarks at his finest. That cardigan is fire too.
I am thankful for NPR tiny desk concerts!
I haven’t seen Mikki in 15 years. Just today I happened to be curious what she was up to and searched TH-cam and am stunned and pleased to see her playing in such a tight band accompanying two great artists who are new to me: Benjamin Booker and Saundra Williams! This gets a super like from me! Keep up the good work!
Can't quite put my finger on it, But he looks a lot like Muhammad Ali to me
for me it was a young Denzel ...and you said Ali...imagine Ali and Denzel mixed lol
mrstarguy5 looks like a mixture of Ali and Bill Withers
Looks a lot like ali
mrstarguy5 The drummer? Ya I feel you
I know right!?!
I love this young man and woman’s voice.. What a beautiful aura here. Awesome 🎸 and 🥁 glad I saved this one awhile back. Now I remember why ☮️💟💯👊🏻
Wow! What an amazing voice and band. Beautifully soothing.
Oh yes, Benjamin always gets me through my days,,, thanks again NPR for another great session
I love the NPR version of "Witness" over the polished, choir version from the album. The rawness of this version make the song more moving.
Unique voice. Great eclectic band
@ Matthew Beach i agree seen them live. really hope to hear more soon. ben is a natural .STUNNING
I am loving this. What a sweet voice. Not over trying. He's just out there singing nice and easy like.
Benjamin Booker is an excellent artist. Been in Love with his music for years. I can not for my life figure out/understand why his profile isn't bigger than it is. He's been
Saw him at lolla years ago he’s amazing and guitar playing is phenomenal
Oh man this is the greatest music series ever!!!!
I love him for being what he really is which is one of a kind.
'Like' button pressed. This band is amazing
Isra Sabir are you following my traces? I just saw you on hurray to the Riff Raff's tiny desk
Good choices!
NPR music is making the world a better place. Please do not stop!
I’ve been here at least 25 times.. If you love Benjamin you’ll probably love Michael Kiwanuka too ✊🏼 Check out his last album Hero 🙏🏼 peace to all
I don't know how often I heard this tiny desk concert... two years ago it's 2019 now wow
Finally he gets a tiny desk! If this stuff isn't your thing still check out his first album it's very different and absolutely brilliant
Saw him live in September. Honestly a Top 3 concert. Benny Bookmarks is a star in the making
A band that looks so incongruous but sounds and grooves as one.
He is so young for such a voice! Unbelievable.
Special mention for the guitarist's haircut !
Who was that backup singer? She was on point!
I agree. Lose Mr Booker, get her fronting the band.
Jim Lawton Saundra Williams. She sings background for Sharon Jones and the Dap kings
Check out the description above, talks about her with Sharon Jones (RIP) on a Tiny Desk.
Saundra is absolutely wonderful. Having met her before with Low Cut Connie, I can tell you she's a warm human being.
Jim Lawton her voice is velvet!
This is great...
Watch him for the next years ... quite promising.
this need more VIEWS!!!
Most beautiful, balanced, gorgeous sound! Thank you for rocking my soul Benjamin Booker! & Company - awesomely diverse and talented company!!! I need to own your music and make it part of my life anthems. Yummy :)
Just love his voice, hope he's able to drop new music soon
2023 and i still love this
Bring Bilal alone & D'angelo pleaseeeee lawd.
Wow another one of the greats in the making! Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Jack Johnson, BENJAMIN BOOKER
Dat Cat don't sleep on Lee Fields
Dat Cat I like him allot, but he is no Sam Cooke or Otis Redding. Jack Johnson? Sure...
lame (and fake) (and gay)
Yes, i like shallots too
It's just the similar kind of vibe I'm getting
the way he sings i dont care is just perfect to me
im hooked, thanking NPR for bringing this to my life
I love his voice so much
I feel so relaxed and at peace while listening to this.. love it
definitely glad i clicked on this tiny desk :)
Amazing, truly amazing work. Just discovered this guy recently, can't wait for his future releases
She is a great bass player!
Been waiting for a Tiny desk for him.
Wonderful voice!
Originality is at work
Caraleo! What a voice!
what a cool voice!!!
As always Tiny Desk never disappoints. Is it just me or does the back up vocalist have a Sharon Jones vibe to her.... Beautiful
If you read in the bio her name is Saundra Williams and she sang with Sharon on a tiny desk before :)
✨ I LOVE BENJAMIN BOOKER ✨
Go see him live. It's awesome.
I love his voice! He sounds like an old singer that has lived a very exciting life filled with a lot of bourbon & smoking!
I didn't know this guy...this gives me so many Otis Redding vibes
So damn good.
Pretty sure it's been mentioned before, but I have not seen Radiohead on Tiny Desk yet. They already have many good live performance videos on TH-cam but I would LOVE to see them on Tiny Desk. They have been one of my favorite bands for years. Thank you and
Always love your videos. You guys help me find 'new' good artists all the time.
A young Harry Belafonte
Magnifique ! So relaxing!
MORE!!!!!! 💜😍
I really loved booker's first album. His second (which these songs are drawn from) is...not as good. But it's still good to see this young guy on the tiny desk.
VJ Rada i think witness is leagues ahead of his first but to each their own
His voice is so rich.
humble guy, excellent music.
Mohamed Ali (lead singer) Taylor Swift (bass) Seth Rogan (guitar)
Quentin Tarantino (drums)
Angelique Kidjo - back vocals ЕЩКЕЕРЕ!))
On a serious note, all the five musicians are awesome!
🤣🤣🤣
'gonna be a witness' was awesome, it was all awesome
Maravillosa voz
Silky smooth.
Soul saving
So cool !!! Wow !!!
I always regret not seeing my artists when they come to town bc they all keep growing and wow ticket prices always sky rocket up. I missed Gary Clark jr when he was always in Austin and now the same for Benjamin.. shame on myself for being a bad fan, DEEP REGRETS!!!!! Haha
Never knew Muhammad Ali sang lol. The brother is 🔥 n his songs are soulful x
I waited so long for this, and it was worth the wait :)
when is vulfpeck playing at tiny desk?
!!¡¡
Yes please
He reminds me of a male version of Macey Gray. This is great stuff!
this is fucking incredible
heart melt
Silky smooth
holy shit.. this is the real deal!
He didn't lose his guitar tuner down a drain this time again with NPR.
The EPITOME of class.
Belle voix music génial 👏 ça me fait penser à Marvin Gaye
I prefer this live version of witness to the 💿
What are these new little vocal mics you're using, NPR? Are they tiny condensers from Sennheiser? At any rate, they're hot as hell and seem to pick up everything. Well done!
Reminds me a bit of jack John mixed with Ben Harper and John Mayer
SO ACCURATE
He should take these live covers of his songs and put them on an acoustic album. I prefer the way his voice sounds compared to the cd version 🍁👍🏻
Barack Obama + Cassius Clay = Benjamin Booker.
with a little something of Bruno Mars too...
Damn.. you’re right 😬☮️
@Daniel Ramirez 👍🏽You nailed it!
I didn't know Quentin Tarantino played percussion.
Think he also used to play drums with Chet Faker?
th-cam.com/video/lGKNKf7ebDQ/w-d-xo.html
BRO I FUCKING DIED OF LAUGHTER READING THIS AND IMMEDIATELY LOOKING AT THE DRUMMER LIKE “WHAT THE FUCK IS QUENTIN DOING THERE” !!!
Tino and Tay Tay Swift on bass got the rhythm section lockt.
hahahahahahahah omg
Lmaoooo
mmmh good stuff right there!
Pretty fucking sweet! Witness is a great song to jam while running.
Well, at least my 20th time ☮️💟👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼✊🏼
I had no idea Benjamin Booker was as pretty as his voice.
Wow
Joder que bonito !!!
OMG YES!!!!!