PJ Harvey: Tiny Desk Concert
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- čas přidán 30. 05. 2024
- Ann Powers | November 17, 2023
Polly Harvey has inhabited many characters throughout her 30-year career and always dressed the part: catsuit-rocking glam queen, high-collared Victorian wraith, mini-skirted libertine, feather-adorned warrior. Bringing the story told in her latest album, I Inside the Old Year Dying to the Tiny Desk, she stands at the microphone in a draped dress the wintry color of a gray alder tree, designed by her longtime costumier Todd Lynn. Its torn elegance perfectly suits the dual role she plays in these gently ferocious songs, which originated in her novel-in-verse, Orlam. As she lets loose her inimitable razor-sharp alto, she becomes both Ira-Abel, the child who, in the aftermath of an assault, merges with the forest around her Dorset, England, home, and of the bard whose verses keep that shepherd girl alive after her vanishing.
Harvey keeps her gestures minimal as she sets her scenes and speaks through them. Matching her voice to those of her trusted collaborators John Parish and James Johnston as they invoke the forest's ghosts - the "chalky children of evermore" - she lets the fecund imagery of her lyrics resonate. At times the crowd seems stunned into silence; after her lament for Ira-Abel, "A Noiseless Noise," concludes with the notes from her acoustic and Parish's electric guitar intertwining, she coolly waits out a gap before the applause and hoots of appreciation arrive.
This is where Harvey lives as a fully realized artist: on her own artistic plane, inviting listeners to take their time to fully join her. Ending with the heart-rendingly lonesome title track from 2007's White Chalk, she connects Ira-Abel's story to her lifelong project of expressiing women's solitude, pain and resistance. Exploring how human boundaries can shatter, reassert themselves or be rendered irrelevant, these songs create a contained space that echoes far beyond itself.
SET LIST
"I Inside the Old I Dying"
"A Noiseless Noise"
"A Child's Question, August"
"I Inside the Old Year Dying"
"White Chalk"
MUSICIANS
PJ Harvey: vocals, acoustic guitar
James Johnston: keys, acoustic guitar, violin, vocals
John Parish: electric guitar, drums, vocals
TINY DESK TEAM
Producers: Robin Hilton, Bob Boilen
Director/Editor: Maia Stern
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame
Audio Assistant: Ted Mebane
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Catie Dull
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Hazel Cills
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#nprmusic #tinydesk #pjharvey
0:00 I Inside the Old I Dying
3:30 A Noiseless Noise
7:49 A Child's Question, August
10:52 I Inside the Old Year Dying
13:05 White Chalk - Hudba
It's so crazy to be 44 and have loved this singer and band since 1995. My teenage self had a awesome taste in music
:~)
I was raised on pj and nick cave can’t thank my parents enough
Two years ago, my wife and I went to our favorite ice cream place, and across the street, a teenage girl was belting out Long Snake Moan on a stage in a parking lot.
Apparently, she was graduating from The School of Rock, and she chose PJ Harvey as her final performance.
It was wonderful to see a kid dogging PJ Harvey like that. We were surprised and elated.
So realistic
Same, I remember being blown away with her when I saw her early on in 98. Still love her now.
Never thought I'd see her do a Tiny Desk. What a gift!
the performance or her? both a gift I guess
@@knsnsy yes.
Indeed ..a gift . Again x❤
Truly
So beautiful, my jaw is on the floor
I have to just say I'm over 60 years old and have never listened to PJ Harvey (Apologies) This is BEAUTIFUL I'm hypnotised and regretful !!!!!!!Thank you.
Welcome aboard!
@@signeyberg Thank you this bus has comfy seats👍
PJ Harvey is one of the most underappreciated artists in music. Sheryl Crow just got inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In my opinion, PJ Harvey should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a joke when you look at who has been included, and who has not.
PJ should have been inducted instead of Sheryl Crow. But like the other person said the RRHOF is a joke.
Her music is too smart for most people. Like Sheryl, all they wanna do is have some fun. 🙄
Something really wrong with that institution.
She got 2 Mercury Awards !
Polly has like a 1000 faces and a 1000 characters, but is always authentic. Love her music for about 30 years now.
Authenticity has no place in pop culture
@@marknewbold2583your mother has no place in pop culture
@@gtube1477 Mark has an opinion, and I do not agree.
But, do not insult someone under my comment!
@@neroltecneops59 Mark has an opinion, and I do not agree.
But, do not insult someone under my comment!
So well said
PJ's magnetism at a tiny desk is just as strong as it is on a big stage. the performance environment doesn't make her, she is the environment. this is outstanding !
Outstanding indeed
Amazon Music has explicit warnings on Down by the Water and some if not all of Let England Shake, and probably other albums too, which is probably why she's not as famous as Sheryl Crow because they don't get played on the radio
0:00 I Inside the Old I Dying
3:30 A Noiseless Noise
7:49 A Child's Question, August
10:52 I Inside the Old Year Dying
13:05 White Chalk
Gracias
Dankie baie
obrigado
спасибо
Danke
Man she looks great ! 😍
She hasn't aged a day! I've been listening to her since the 90s. Sounds amazing too! 👌🏼
Is she 44?so she didn't look so great, tired face like addicted to alkohol or drugs.
But it didn't matter, the music hasn't aged.
This is olde English folk music but not as we know it. PJ is always surprising, always searching. Love it.
was just thinking the same…
Reminds me a lot of a stripped back early fairport convention
Her imagery is so pastoral. I love it. She's a genius.
It’s based on her book, “Orlam”. But yeah, kind of mythical, ‘Bolan-esque’.
I was thinking early T-Rex too. That's funny you mention it.
Always lovely to see John Parish behind Polly, and James Johnston as well - a genuine treat.
And finishing on White Chalk, a greatly under-rated album, one of her best.
My favouirite PJ album.
They are all one of her best.
I agree. White Chalk is a great album.
Super underrated! All of her albums are great, especially is this desire, but white chalk is a masterpiece! It captures a feeling that no other album has ever captured. Pretty much a perfect album in my opinion. Glad to see it getting love
Amazon Music has explicit warnings on Down by the Water and some if not all of Let England Shake, and probably other albums too, which is probably why she's not as famous as Sheryl Crow because they don't get played on the radio
PJ Harvey is a monster musician...what a gift to see this, i love her music so much!!!!!!
Amazon Music has explicit warnings on Down by the Water and some if not all of Let England Shake, and probably other albums too, which is probably why she's not as famous as Sheryl Crow because they don't get played on the radio
Such an honour to be named after this spectacular woman. She’s sounding sensational as always here. Saw her live last month and it was one of the most unreal gigs I’ve ever been to.
Such a pretty name!
just because you share a name doesn't mean you were named after her LOL
@@TheMrCheezlezombie how do you know she wasn’t named after her?
@@sondose5447 W-well...
I love how she enunciates every word in "White Chalk." She clearly wants the audience to understand what she wrote and is singing.
this is the first time I understood the lyrics and I am grateful! White Chalk is one of my absolute fave albums from PJ!
White Chalk is a profound piece of work 🖤✨
It's beautiful pain
@@pabloplato such a shame then that whoever created the chapters thought she'd said White Choke.
They made a mess of them entirely and they don't match up with the graphics on screen either or even the setlist as written in the description.
@@ManWalksDogs Whatever intern NPR has uploading these messes them up way too often. I'd say they're doing it on purpose but that's giving NPR too much credit.
She’s pretty much a goldmine of the music industry.
Ditto that my friend. Santa came early this year.
Word
absolute gem
ten days after this aired, i received a package in the mail, i sent her a letter not expecting her to reply. She had sent me a signed Orlam and a little note. i am very grateful for her generosity, and my love for her grows everyday.
edit: i will not share the address i wrote on the envelope, as it is not for me to share and i would not be comfortable doing so.
Amazballs
❤
That’s awesome, she seems like a wonderful person.
@@alabamaisyourdaddy6137
She is beautiful... simple as that.
They say never meet your heroes . I met PJ Harvey back in 90’s she was just on her way. Her music is why i love her. As a person oh dear lord she is all that .she never disappoints
There is so much trouble in the world at present, and yet it is in this very world that PJ Harvey creates and shares her art. There is always something that merits gratitude in this life.
Tiny Desk is just stunning. Better every year. I don’t think there has been a concert I haven’t enjoyed. And many are absolute treasures.
her voice, their musicianship, the lyrics... absolutely incredible
The completely calm conviction in how she presents herself and her performance always catches me off guard - I find I never question her motivation or music. I just feel grateful and enjoy it :)
She looks into your soul
I will admit to not having kept up with her output in recent years, and watching this was a timely reminder of how great her talent is, and how much she continues to raise the bar.
Her recent albums are definitely an acquired taste and less accessible than her 90s work but I love it just as much IF NOT MORE. Let England Shake (2011) is my personal favourite of hers (as well as, is this desire?) and I consider it a MASTERPIECE and I don’t use that word lightly. Check it out, you might be surprised.
@@twareham1718 I will be doing that
She also put out her recent book, Orlam. While I just haven't gotten around to getting it, the book sounds immensely interesting and authentic.
You need White Chalk
I have the CD@@adderon7476
Saw her in Manchester a month or so ago. The best gig ive been to in 20 years, and there have been many. Her ability to capture and lock in an audience, to make you wonder how it sounds so good live, to just reinvent herself musically with each album is incredible. If you get the chance, go see her, and remind youeself of why you love music. ❤
Brighton zap 93 she was amazing
Her voice is so extraordinarily well balanced and fine-tuned! Polly has conducted the most crisp and raw, as well as grungy and experimental live performances throughout her career, and I admire her so much for it. Truly hope I get a chance to see this new album live... Thanks to NPR Music for this video, I've been really eager to see a high quality recording of PJ performing since she's been on tour❤
I've just seen her live in Prague. Whilst the new album is not my favourite, the show was the best gig I've ever been to. Hope you'll get to see it!
I saw her in Glasgow. She was incredible. Wasn't keen on the new album but it's amazing live. Only downside was the duet song with John Parish. Doesn't work on the album and even worse live.
I am envious if you! i didn't manage to get a ticket sadly :(( @@sleepinglea7958
Assuming this was filmed shortly before being uploaded, she is 53/54 here.... she looks amazing!
English people should be immensely proud of her. She is a keeper of a kind of lore that is somehow ancient and new all in the same moment.
A very beautiful and apt description.
Runs with wolves and history
Totally agree. Beautifully put. She somehow connects me with a very ancient England.
Hope the chalk hills eventually rot my bones. I will be back where I belong.
Her rendition of White Chalk was devine. What an incredible artist.
How long have we waited for this!? Groove.
Wow. Polly never fails to enchant, what a voice 😍
She's aging like a fine wine. I've been a fan for over 30 years...she's still just as brilliant as ever.
Gorgeous.. Just love her eclectic range and minor notes! .. She gets into places in the heart others fail to reach.. ❤️💕
Can't believe we finally get to see this legend and hear her poetry on Tiny Desk.
white chalk is one of the greatest songs ever written
I remember the first time getting into Polly Jean and buying Stories From The City around the time it came out, aged 16. Now aged 39 and she's still able to absolutely wow me. I did have SOME good taste when I was young!
she is at a whole new level, musically speaking, I love to witness the evolution of her craft
I think that PJ Harvey is a modern music master, and she never ceases to amaze me. I've been a fan since her very first album was released, and I've been a fan ever since. Thank you, PJ, for making my world a better place to be. ❤😊
Her album already had this raw feeling to it, but this is just so tender. Amazing! She really deserves the best as an artist.
Saw her in LA at the knitting factory back in, like 2005? It was killer. She's killer. I bought two t-shirts and they're both in tatters now. She, on the other hand, sounds and looks as beautiful as ever. Aloha Polly, and thank you for the continuing decades of incredible music. ❤
I love how multitalented they all are with all the different instruments. Beautiful performance
Her voice hasn't changed whasotever. Still sounds great. In fact, Polly has not aged at all. It's like time just stands still for her.
Yes!! I was about to say! 🤯
She has aged, and there is nothing wrong with that. She has aged beautifully and focused on ageing well, as opposed to being anti-aging.
@@domtekos7761 yep and make up helps :)
@@domtekos7761 I think she looks great, and very young for her age.
@MothGirl007 absolutely! She looks amazing. This is what happens when you focus on having your own style and look after your body with aging well... staying in shape, keeping active, good skin care, decent diet and knowing how to style yourself in a way that actually works for you :) as opposed to trying desperately to cling to youth and ruin your face with extreme surgery.
the depth, creativity and richness from 3 outstanding musicians is just magical. hard to believe this is live and from behind a tiny desk. and PJ Harvey has been doing this for decades and yet keeps evolving into fresh and distinctly different musical directions. wow!
A Noiseless Noise is my favourite from her new album
I found myself sitting alone at my desk clapping at the end of 'White Chalk'. A very moving performance.
PJ is the queen of the achingly beautiful dissonant harmony
She the greatest musician of the 21th century without a doubt! One of the very few who has the guts to take risks and constantly reinvent herself. Everything she's done in the last 30 years has been the tops, with Let England Shake being the best album I've ever heard by anyone!
John Coltrane? Fela Kuti? MIles Davis? Shostakovich? Gyorgy Ligeti? Duke Ellington? Captain Beefheart? Charlie Parker? :-P
LOL, never heard of her. Greatest what??
The Beatles for me . But we all have our favourites !
I agree, Let England Shake is a phenomenal album, quite simply sublime. To Bring You My Love is also outstanding. She’s been one of my favourite artists for over 30 years.
@@bevdalzell2577 I would vote for "White Chalk" as Polly's best album . I also think the new album is outstanding.
First saw PJ live on the Dry tour in a small venue that was only half full amazingly. Had first heard her on John Peel a year or so earlier.
She’s just as amazing as she was way back in 1995 when I was lucky enough to pick up Dry, instantly smitten. What an incredible songwriter and performer, need to see her live again soon!
There are no words to describe this. Its just pure art and I love it. And that includes John and James. Its just wonderful.
No noiseless noise here! Pure sounds of her own expression, a poet, a rare gem. Much gratitude for this marvelous continuation of self discovery blessed Polly Jean Harvey
such a legend! i was 14-15 the first time i heard "hardly wait" on the radio and it blew my mind. i'm 46 years old now and still amazed by her genius
The trinity of PJ, Tori, and Björk will forever be important to me.
Amazon Music has explicit warnings on Down by the Water and some if not all of Let England Shake, and probably other albums too, which is probably why she's not as famous as Sheryl Crow because they don't get played on the radio. probably the same with Tori and Björk
A transcendent artist. The very best of England. She was in the audience at the 6 Music Festival 2020 at The Roundhouse, headlined by a stunning Kae Tempest set. To think I shared that with her. In a world of chaos and waste Polly's work shows us what love and connection and clarity of thought may achieve.
For a west-country boy who grew up in the same county, even attending the same art college that proudly displayed her work a few years after her, it's been such a privilege to see her transform from a promising indie starlet to world-class rock goddess to the progenitor of her current beautifully considered, introspective works. She's been a gift and inspiration for most of my life. I adore you, Polly, thank you. ❤
Weston Art College? I went there too if it's the same one
I am also quite surprised by her development as an artist. It’s heart-warming to see that she keeps experimenting and learning new suff ❤
So beautifully said!
@@rebecca7410 Nope, Yeovil Art School. Long since sold, I heard.
This is beautiful. Love PJ Harvey and love Tiny Desk ❤
Used to see her alot on Saturday mornings in Bridport walking by my fathers market stall. I knew who she was but wasnt into her music when i was younger. Wish i had paid her more attention coz now i think she is incredible. I got kinda used to seeing famous faces at Bridport market though.
*_Polly, an Artist in absolutely every sense of that word - Inexplicably unique ..._*
It was a tough week, this just put a smile on my face!
So refreshing to hear a true musician. What a talent!! Love her work with Parish, what a team!!
Her album with John Parish is some of the best music ever recorded
OMG. This artist has captivated me for decades. This performance was so compelling, despite me not knowing quite what was being sung about. MUST GET TO A LIVE PERFORMANCE.
Sounds even better than the album. Incredible work guys, well done x
What a great session. Polly is one of my favourite artists of the last decades. Already liked her latest album a lot, but it really opened up after seeing her perform it live a couple of weeks ago.
Saw her in Manchester last October - it was a privilege to be there listening to such a wonderful musician.
So did I!!
having only started listening to her this year I thought why not don't know much of her stuff but like the new album and it ended up being my gig of the year and is my album of the year just incredible!!!
For more than 30 years, I have been listening to and watching this superb singer, Polly Jean, and above all a sumptuous woman. And I am always amazed by its charm and its song.
Polly has been the most interesting and highest calibre musical artist for
many years. Her performance at Glasgow on her current tour was phenomenal
Sunday morning here in Germany - raining. Time to remember. Remember a time where musicians were driven by their love for Music, their individuality. Thankfully I was allowed to discover such musicians in the late 70‘,80‘ and early 90‘. Now in my 50‘s I‘m glad that some of them survived - so did Polly. The whole family is watching this right now while having breakfast. We all will have a jam afterwards.
The rain will stop…
Never ever heard of PJ Harvey but now she will be a regular in playlist
lucky you, a musical treasure awaits! 🌟
Yeah enjoy that rabbit hole
Where have you lived for the last 30 years?
Start off with the 2023 album then go on to white chalk.
I'm excited for you, watch her interviews. Everything you can find, it's just as amazing as her music. Also her poem readings! You will learn so much about her and it's fabulous
She should do a whole album with this stripped back approach, it's fantastic.
Saw her live in 1995. Blew my mind. Still infatuated with her music.
She has a magnetic effect on me from the beginning. Love her.
Wow just wow. No grass growing under those feet. Her music always forces me to listen.
I first heard this Rock n Roll Godess in 1991 when she sang Dress. I was mesmerized.
I have followed her career methodically. My personal favorite Stories from the Sea
She is wonderful. She is so pretty.
This is a perfect platform for her wonderful talent.
Somehow PJ's music seems connected to, or brings fourth something from thousands of years ago, something ever present and greater than now. Let England Shake is one of the most sublime LP's every recorded. Love this new work too. Still absorbing it.
The Queen. Saw her perform these in Brooklyn and it was magical.
I just clicked, out of curiosity, did not know I actually needed this.
She is the very best musician I have ever heard
She’s just one of the best songwriters everywhere.
I LOVE this! I’ve been trying to get PJ tickets for literally 20 years. She’s so fantastic. Thank you, Tiny Desk!
she is an icon, she is an legend and She is the Moment
Started listening to PJ in 1994. Wow. Thanks for the music!
Made my day!!! What a woman, what an artist! She really is like a good red wine, getting better as it matures....
An true artist, amazingly gifted story teller. Consistently reinventing herself.
Oh my..she looks & sounds amazing.. this performance is WONDERFUL! SWOOON...
Fantastic. Hard to believe I'm watching this. Thank You!
Been a fan since I was 14, I am now 47😮 such a fantastic artist, goosebumps everytime.
She’s incredible with whatever she does. Loved watching this performance
One of the most consistent artists of the past 30 years.
love the sound of the violin in this environment. And how its played. I love artists who know how to create scenes.
PJ masterclass. Unbelievable display of talent.. One of the very best and a privilege to have her in Tiny Desk.
This has to be the best TDC ever, her voice has aged like fine wine ♥
This lady is a national treasure!
Moving, heart-breaking and simply brilliant.
She still manages to weave magic after all these years. So raw. Her voice just cuts through. ❤
My goodness, Polly. I love your music even more than when I first heard Rid Of Me all those years ago. You ARE amazing.
I needed PJ on Tiny Desk this morning! I've never clicked so fast lol😁 Lonnnnng time fan.
Magical as always ❤
White Chalk gave me goosebumps at The Roundhouse!
I was there - me too.
Me too
me toooo! that show has forever changed me x so magical.
Roundhouse was the perfect venue... (Yep I was there too)
I saw her in Manchester and agreed that White Chalk was full body goosebumps. Totally spellbinding gig.
Beautyful as usual - timeless and deep inspirational. Thank you all the musicians for creating such beauty.
The most talented female musician of her generation
X y or z
The most talented musician of her generation
Oh come on…
30 years for me too with Polly. Always loved her on guitar and with John right next door!! Of course ending with White Chalk!!
What a lovely little P.J. Show, thanks for posting. A talented lady indeed 😊
PJ Harvey: Let England Shake, pure brilliance. Brilliant artist.
Wow so poetic, dreamy, and experimental. And that badass dress suits her so well. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Talk about a woman who has aged absolutely beautifully. She's still as gorgeous as she is musically brilliant.
I have always loved listening to her, but I never fully explored all of her work, which is a pitty, because she is amazing. One of the most beautiful, efortlessly powerful yet sweet voices I've ever heard.
We had the great fortune to attend your performance in Amsterdam and we were blown away. You continue to amaze. Thank you.
She just keeps getting better and better. How does he do it!?