Sturgill Simpson: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
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- čas přidán 1. 09. 2014
- Sturgill Simpson doesn't fit today's common image of a country singer. When he arrived for his Tiny Desk Concert, the 36-year-old Kentucky native sauntered in sleepy-eyed, wearing jeans, a pair of old canvas tennis shoes, no socks and a well-worn button-down blue shirt, one of only two identical shirts he said he had in rotation while on tour. (He appeared a few nights later on Letterman wearing either the same garment or its twin.)
Simpson's songs don't sound like what you'd expect, either: Mostly, it seems, he writes about taking drugs and drinking. Opening his Tiny Desk performance with the seemingly existential meditation "Turtles All The Way Down," Simpson tells the audience it's "about some other stuff, but mostly drugs." He follows that song with "Time After All" ("I wanna roll off the tempo, lay back and get high") and "Life Of Sin" ("Every day I'm smokin' my brain hazy ... I keep drinking myself silly") before closing with "Water In The Well," a tamer, comparatively melancholy reflection on loneliness and failed dreams.
Regardless of the themes, Simpson is a force. His acoustic-guitar work in this solo performance is phenomenal, and he possesses a thundering voice that made the NPR offices shudder. "Turtles All The Way Down" and "Life Of Sin" are from this year's incredible Metamodern Sounds In Country Music, while "Time After All" and "Water In The Well" both appear on Simpson's 2013 debut, High Top Mountain. (Get it?) --ROBIN HILTON
Set List:
"Turtles All The Way Down"
"Time After All"
"Life Of Sin"
"Water In A Well"
Credits:
Producers: Denise DeBelius, Robin Hilton; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Denise DeBelius, Colin Marshall; photo by Sarah Tilotta/NPR - Hudba
Hey Tiny Desk Fans,
Check out NPR’s Black Stories, Black Truths - a collection of podcasts hosted by journalists who speak truth to power. Our voices are as varied, nuanced, and dynamic as the Black experience. And stories should never be about us without us. Listen now: www.npr.org/podcasts/510372/black-stories-black-truths
Keep them to yourself. NPR is the “power,” and you’re apart of it.
Aye!
This man's voice has the voice of Elvis Presley, but country like!
@@rileyontheroad what are you talking about? genuinely curious.
@@MeatStew232 they pretend to be “the little guy” fighting the establishment when they’re the definition of the establishment. I mean they’re government funded.
"We'll do one for the ladies. I'm just bullshittin' they're all for the ladies"
Awesome haha!
lol i read this as he was saying it
Scott Bartlett hehe. I could spend all day and all night watching him sing. I front railed his Coachella set and melted. It wasn't hot. Just him. We locked eyes once and it made my day.
hahaha 😂 still waiting for hem to say it, read comments while he plays
Truth
Soo good. What a line! : )
THIS is country music, its story telling. and not about friday nights and tractors and typical BS, its about life and the realness that comes along with it. sturgill is a treasure!
Average npr listener statement
@@sure2658 this is perhaps the second or third time I’ve viewed anything from this channel. Not that you’re anyone who warrants any sort of explanation.
@@sure2658 don’t pay me no mind brother, just crank up that Florida Georgia line in your big lifted pick up truck and go do donuts in the parking lot at your towns Starbucks because they won’t write Donald trump on your cup.
Amen
I can tell you as a guitar player that his playing is magic. The ability to strum in time while at the same time hammer on individual notes is a talent that many can't make sound as clean as he does. It sounds like one lead and one rhythm guitar but it's all him. Fantastic musician.
Practice and talent. A little bit of both. More practice though.
Checkout his son Sometimes wine, the guitar version shows his skills
Cool.
I can’t even brush my teeth and tap my foot at the same time
Hybrid picking is the hardest thing I’ve ever learned; look into Jason Isbell “streetlights” it’s a great example of it and very tough to get down
This guy is the anti-Luke Bryan. We need so much more of this. Modern country is dumbing down the masses.
Absolutely bro. The pop country sh!t needs to die. Hank 3 was warning us years ago about it
@@bhebert62482 Colter Wall, Zach Bryan, Sam Barber, Tyler Childers, Billy Strings, Chris Stapleton. just to name a few
@@aliasjones440Charley Crockett too
..and the magnificent Arlo McKinley.
might be the masses dumbing down country... the machine only supplies what the people demand
Haha, I thought my whole life that I genuinely disliked country music, now that I've heard REAL country music, it's kind of shocking how my opinion did a complete 180.
MGK BOSTON
It's not country. It's crap for the most part. A few gems in the rough but crap for the most part. Love Sturgill.
Hopefully you will find more that you can like...you will mostly have to look to older stuff and lesser knowns on youtube. Welcome to the fan club!
Merle, Waylon, Kenny, George and the boys never get old either.
there are a ton of good underground country artists....i release mine at
www.oldssleeper.bandcamp.com my 2012 album, New Years Poem, was voted as one of the albums of the year on www.savingcountrymusic.com and there are a ton of other artists getting coverage on there....country has soul.
i agree, i've loved the classics for all of my life, but to hear something new that has that sound....it's great!
That is how country is DONE ladies and gents. He gives me the fucking chills EVERY time.
+Debra Poole fuck yeah, man
I'm 100% confident that literally every NPR version of a song is better than the studio version...
100% agree about that !
There is something with NPR u can't find away
You're not wrong.
the studio version of Turtles All The Way Down is a tough one to beat
@@brianwhit1646 I would argue this one is better 🤷♂️
the animated music video version is way better ❤️🤠
Thank Jason Isbell for Sturgil, thank Sturgil for Tyler, and watch out for Billy Strings.
Lol billy strings. Somebody’s been on CZcams!
Zach Bryan, Benjamin Tod, Jogn Moreland. Have fun
All awesome! And don’t forget the sweet flat picking of Molly Tuttle! Her and Strings together tear it up!
Billy strings is just a all around guitar picker
Tyler who?
"I'll do one for the ladies. I'm just bullshitting, they're ALL for the ladies." My man. haha
Sturgil is about the only guy out there that Merle Haggard gave his official nod to.You can't possibly get any better kudos than that.
Also, he had the guts to speak out about Nashville exploiting the memory of Merle.
God damm right.
Doesn't John Prine produce him? That's pretty radd.
I miss old Merle.
Did not know that must be why I liked him straight up
Tiny desk concerts are the best thing to ever happen to music
I’ve played guitar for many years now, and I’m still amazed by his skill and how effortless he makes it look.
He’s got a very light touch
Get you some of that DMT boi
@@caverappleyard5140 You got some for me?
Everyone should be calling their local country radio station and asking them why the hell they dont play guys like Sturgill,Stapleton and Isbell
+Mark Smith Yup, and Eady
absolutely
+Mark Smith Kacey Musgrves is a great country lyricists also
+Darrel Be I am waiting for the day Sturgill and Kacey do a song together
+Mark Smith I think Darrell Scott deserves a place on country radio as well.
Without the rest of the band, hearing his true skill on guitar and vocals, I just found another inspiration as an artist. Thank you Sturgill, and thank you NPR for bringing us this rendition and for having him
I had no idea he was such a good guitarist.
@@mikl3468 Just watched this for the first time. I had no idea as well. He's amazing on it.
I am gonna make a bold statement and say this might be the best thing out of the whole tiny desk concert series. Just phenomenal....
darin ball it’s possible.
This guy deserves WAY more recognition than he is getting. SERIOUSLY.
i would pay large amounts of money to get my hands on an acoustic album from sturgill
Shoge Kimura I think this is his best sound
Somethings never change
You’re in luck, just announced acoustic album coming out later this year
@@snobored99 two actually! Volume 1&2
@@yeeeeyee you just made my day
This guys guitar playing is unreal!!
+Ben Rogers His guitar player is one of the hottest county players I've ever seen. And he's Slovenian.
+Taremlov Snej it pains me to see Sturgill's playing covered up by Laur Joamets...while he IS a god...Sturgill is sexual in his playing. Just CZcams some old Sunday Valley tunes "Sometimes Wine" and "Never Go To Town Again".
Hey guys, I'm new to this whole country thing but I gotta have this song under my belt. anyone know the name of the style I need to learn to play like that? or is he just using a pick and alternate picking with did different patterns over the six strings? I've been learning it today and I get close but man, he hits every string dead on, no mistakes in his patterns. just damn.
+Taremlov Snej Day two, I'm getting pretty good. after practicing for a bit I can hit the strings I need to pretty consistently. But man, I need a new guitar. its tuff hitting that Asus4. played it on a cheaper guitar with less resistance on the strings and it was so easy and sounded great. Lol. But I have a long way to go. Im just pumped I can actually play it in any way close to how he does.
You should see him live! Did like a 15 min guitar solo in the middle of "brace for impact" at red rocks.... dude absolutely SHREDS
He is the real deal- guy doesn’t seem to give a damn about how he is supposed to act as a country singer- because he is so talented he is defining it as he goes along. Just awesome!
Unfortunately for me, I only recently discovered this incredible musician. I don't know where he was hiding but I'm sure glad I found him. His voice is awesomely emotional.
Truly soul-soothing
I know. He's only got a few Grammys.
My faith in country music has been restored. Thank you Mr. Simpson this doobie is for you.
His guitar skills are as good as his voice
when i first started listening to Sturgil about a year ago, i thought he sounded like Waylon..... the more i listened to him the more he sounds like Sturgil and nobody else.
I totally agree such a unique voice and his guitar picking is just as phenomenal such a great artist more will follow
I thought the same thing about a year ago and that is a big reason I started listening him ....And now I say you are 100 percent right ....he def sounds like Sturgil!!! Very good talent!
*listening to Water In A Well*
"OMG did I just....is that an emotional response I'm having? Is this a feeling? In 2020?"
You can't listen to Sturgill without thinking of Waylon.
His current touring band has one of the best Tele pickers you'll ever hear,Laur Joamets of Estonia.Sometimes, the further you get from Nashville, the better the Country music gets.
Sturgill is better, in my opinion. Sadly he doesn't seem to think so. I was bummed he quit. Check him out on "Sunday Valley - Sometimes Wine"
?Dewey Feltz Whaaaat.? Sturgill is good but you are super high if you think he comes even close to Waylon.
Jensen Allsop I never mentioned Waylon. I was speaking of Sturgill's current guitar player.
Dewey Feltz sorry for the misunderstanding.
+towerhillbilly
How true is your statement: "The further you get from Nashville, the better the country music gets." A hearty amen to that, brother! Sturgill is the new country light.
I can't stop listening to turtles all the way down. Over and over. Brilliance. Pure genius from start to finish.
SAMES. over and over and over. This rendition is heavenly
Sturgill is killing it on this version of Turtles all the Way Down. Trying to pick out some of the embellishments he does with my guitar right now and I am stumped.
I can't stop listening to this phenom! I thought I disliked country music, then I heard some!
I love that he uses this guitar on several performances and has presumably been playing it for a long time. You can see the wear from his ferocious pick attack BELOW the pickguard and above the sound hole. Just a great player
This dude is proper country, not pop country.
+Panama Jack Thanks, tips.
+Panama Jack- this "dude", just IS amazing
I agree....too bad he has already locked himself in to 5 albums, and 5 albums only. :( it hurts me to think he only has 3 left!!
+Brandon Reynolds I don't think he ever said that. Thank God.
there is an interview out there somewhere where he does explain he had 5 albums in his head, and that he had no idea if there would be any others,,, time will tell !!!
This man changed my life, for the better. There are sages among us normal folk. Makes me realize, life is beautiful. Thank you sir….
Lord knows how much I want to see this man in concert and pray for the opportunity to meet him and just tell him how grateful I am to him for his music. It's a gift in my opinion and has gotten me through some nights that without it I might not have made it through, thank you Sturgil for all the amazingly awesome songs you write and sing
I hear you. He's cleared a lot of stuff up for me and I'm sure for many others. He is a gift!
damn, I usually don't like country. This is a lot more sincere and easier to listen to than most country music, great concert!
Ryan Covers what?
listen to John Prine
I believe that this may be one of the best solo acoustic performances I've ever seen.
I love his music so much MORE when he plays unplugged. It's great either way, but wow - so much more emotion. Does anyone agree?
Yes!
Absolutely
I agree
0:30 - Turtles All The Way Down
3:48 - Time After All
7:20 - Life Of Sin
10:15 - Water In A Well
Too bad he doesn’t play any of these songs anymore. His career will be dead in no time if he stays on the path he’s following. Nobody wants to hear his new age pop/rock/metal BS.
Marty Young You mean Sound and Fury, the best album he’s made so far? Idiot
I think that makes you a nobody, lol. heh...rock and roll is now new age? but you're right,now that he's a big Hollywood star his music career is on the back burner
When "Water in a well" came on...my lower lip trembled, my soul shook, my eyes wept and my heart was swept away.
He’s literally playing lead and rhythm guitar and singing songs he wrote, all at the same time.
Strummin and a pickin. The only way an acoustic guitar should ever be played. Cheers!
It's good but it ain't nothing new.
Great guitar playing. That's why Jimi Hendrix is considered the greatest, he took that to another stratosphere
Yeah, but not everyone has lyrics like Sturgill.
It's a beautiful thing, ain't it?
00:31 Turtles all the way down
03:48 Time after all
07:20 Life of Sin
10:14 Water in the well
•
Posting this for folks like me that visit this weekly.
I love Sturgill so much because he worked a regular job until he was 35 years old, then decided to be a songwriter. You can see it when he sings & talks. He’s an all around good dude!
The opening of Time After All just plopped me on my grandpa’s front porch talking about the trees in my mind. Nostalgia so thick.
"Let's do one for the ladies, I'm just BS'ing they are all for the ladies." LOL! That's what I'm talking about!
Those vocal skills at 9:00. Sturgill is such an incredible musician.
3/31/2019 I still come back and listen to this amazing session.
right with you guys :D
Me too.Should have a billion views !!!! Amazing talent
I'll always come bk.
the dude just oozes charisma
Sturgill is single-handedly making me believe in country music again. Excellent songwriting, singing, and that guitar-playing is ON FIRE!
Ol Sturgil has this way of becoming everyone’s daddy when he performs. Like the fact that one man is making that many beautiful noises at once blows my mind.
I wondered about this guy when I recently discovered his work. Sound and fury, turtles and such. I think I also saw him on Joe Rogan, but hes a country musician? It didnt add up. This is the much needed country musician that wandered into psychadelia. Super talented and a great guitarist. This is good stuff.
A country musician that does DMT...probably why he was on Rogan. I feel he's more like Willie Nelson than most country stars in that regard
50 years into my life, much spent in a small Canadian City surrounded by farmland and I’ve just really started to dig country music. I haven’t completely missed it though; I love the Grateful Dead, enjoy Johnny Cash and Classic tunes from Hank, Waylon and Willie… but had zero interest in new country music. That’s when I heard Charley Crockett. Then Hank Shoulders and Sierra Ferrell. More recently, thankfully found Sturgill. And Billy Strings, Tyler Childish, Colter Wall and Chris Stapleton. Country is full of amazing old school stripped down storytelling again. Not pop music (though there are the Luke Bryans too.) now I can’t get enough. Love it.
Billy Strings? Check out Benjamin Todd (Lost Dog Street Band is the name of the group) 'Gems on VHS' is a name of a great channel on CZcams with loadsa performances and field recordings I'm pretty sure you'd like. From Ireland to Canada. 💯
Man, you can see in his eyes how his past shaped him as he's telling us these stories. I'm so glad country music is back.
I been waitin' for this guy a long time now (since I spent my 10 thousandth hour listening to Townes Van Zandt over and over).
This guy is a living legend. One of my favorite all time artist in the midst of his career.
Sturgill Simpson and Chris Stapleton could bring back that mid to late 70's prog country that became all country until it all started sounding like Def Lep in the mid 90's. Thank you Waylon I mean Sturgill!!
Such an underrated guitar player. Amazing rythym and picking
'Blinded and reminded by the pain caused by some old guy in the sky' Great line.
this is actually the best thing on youtube. i mean overall youtube, this is the best thing i’ve found.
New Sturgill fan to the room here. On a whim, checked out the album A Sailor's Guide to Earth on the day of it's release ---was blown away. Plugged my headphones in at work one day and was captivated from the first song. Haven't been able to stop since. Just starting to make my way back into his previous works....music is a huge part of my life...and this my friends, is music that has made me the most excited in as far back as I can recall. Great voice, lyrics/storytelling, awesome guitar player, diversity....the whole deal. I haven't listened to much in the way of mainstream radio in a couple of years now.... mostly fluff.. that insults my intelligence (and ears!) . And if I should say so, he comes across as a very genuine and humble man....still kicking around in sneakers, doing his own thing... mischievous eyes and grin haha... i honestly think he is adorable. But all that boy crush stuff aside :P.... unbelievable talent :)
+jacnbcc a friend introduced me to his music not too long ago, and I am like you, I can not stop listening to him. He has renewed my faith in that there is real music still being made!
+jacnbcc He was on Marc Maron's WTF podcast last week. I thought he was interesting & stopped to listen to some of his music. WOW!!! I'm obsessed and can't quit listening. I especially love the Sunday Valley music.
+stringerup haha i have been soaking in any podcast, interview, etc. Refreshing guy to listen to and an interesting cat. driving 8 hours this summer to see his show 😃✌
I have just been listening to the Sunday Valley stuff....it's awesome. The guy can play wicked guitar , great picker. :)
+jacnbcc he's also done a couple on joe organs podcast.."the joe rogan experience "
Sturgill is THE MAN. Great songs, singer, band, the full meal deal.
Every once in a while you feel like an artist takes a tiny peek into your soul and it hurts in the best way possible. That’s what Sturgil is to me. Thanks man.
How does he sound so much better than the album live when the album is so damn good to begin? Love his music and talent
3:27 "Hey, man you ever hear of DMT?" *Joe Rogan rolls out from under the porch*
Hahahahahahahah
What if the friend that ask him if he had tried it, was in fact, Joe Rogan..
Sturgirlls been on Joe Rogans podcast 3 times, give them a listen
Made me laugh!
🤣
I’m so glad he was asked to do one more song. Thank you once again NPR for introducing me to another awesome artist
It's a breath of fresh air to hear a real country artist
Best artist I have heard in awhile - authenticity in his voice.
Every time I take a look
Inside that old and fabled book,
I'm blinded and reminded of the pain caused by some old man in the sky.
I have listened to this song for years and just heard that line today. Such an underrated line from him
those old maybell carter licks still sound as good today as they did in Appalachia, 60 plus years go! i guess you simply have to have grown up there to have it! God bless ky...
Johnny Ballinger Im stuck in lewahvull kentucky (louisville).
I love Kentucky born and raised here ive always ventured away from here but it always pulls me back home
saw him in boston couple weeks back, never seen a more enthusiastic crowd and i saw The Pogues in the same theater. Sturge is the Word.
I am happy to have had the opportunity to explore many of the areas he refers to in Eastern KY, Sadly this area was decimated by flooding last year and I had to leave for higher ground like many others. There is beautiful melancholy as well as tragedy that hangs with the mist that rolls across those hills.
How could 'Turtles All The Way Down' be about anything _other_ than drugs?
+Evan Bradley Pretty easily, actually. Could be about the ancient myth (Chinese, Indian, and others) that the world is flat and carried on the back of a turtle, and the infinite regress problem it creates (so, what's the turtle standing on? another turtle, standing on another, and another, all the way down). Could also be about Yertle the Turtle, a great Dr. Seuss story.
+Pete Wilson I should've been more specific. Yes, the actual phrase 'turtles all the way down' most commonly refers to the infinite regress problem. I was referring to the song Sturgill sings by the same title which, given the lyrics (goo.gl/HNbmck), is clearly about drugs; and how his mentioning such before singing it was unnecessary.
+Evan Bradley I think that's the joke, Evan.
Technically it's about "breaking through" which of course is caused by drugs lol.
SleighJessi there were a couple of love references. that's not drug related.
I love the very end where the crowd is so obviously taken with Sturgill and the one guy asks him to stay longer. At the time Sturgill wasn't well known and I'm sure he took everyone by surprise with his talent and his charm.
Guitar work in this set is top shelf. Can't emphasize it enough. SS is criminally underrated as a picker
Saw a guy with an acoustic guitar on a thumbnail in suggested videos and clicked on it. Never heard of this guy before then. 3 seconds in when he started, my jaw dropped. Phenomenal voice and guitar playing! Off to see what he's done up 'til now! Also loving this channel, discovering lots of artists I'd never heard of and I love the smaller, more intimate setting! Thank you NPR!
Well his style of music has evolved quite a bit since this tiny desk concert. Interested to hear your thoughts on his other work though, sturg is one of my favorites and I love how each album is so unique compared to the last.
This guy is gonna win a Grammy
Like hell. Popularity contests do not tend to favor the more skilled underdogs.
sh!t, Isbell's Southeastern wasn't even NOMINATED last year, so Stu's got no hope. Not that he gives a sh!t anyway
Haters will hate!
A Eddy He will win that Grammy in the Americana genre
Brandon Skinner I forgot about the Americana award. He'd better win that one for sure.
Zac Brown should be opening for YOU.
Jordan Miller boom u said it
And thats sayin somethin because Zac Brown is amazing.
Facts!!!!!!
Truth bomb
Jordan Miller You ain’t lying
I can't stop thinking about this video and how insanely good "Life of Sin" is
It's good for sure, but the version off "Cuttin' grass" is so good. Fits bluegrass so well.
Filming the music video for this song was one of the best weekend ever for me as a filmmaker. Sturgill Simpson is masterful on the lyrics here, they don't get old even after shooting the band playing the song over and over haha.
What a crazy awesome comment buried down the line! Congrats
Modern popular country music should be much more like this.
I wish this man the best in life! He gives his gift to us with his whole self,even when he’s hurting!
Love you dude❤️
Make Art Not Friends 😎
That was completely awesome. He sounds so good live, and in an acoustic setting like this. I prefer this over the studio tracks ten fold.
The first tune he plays is probably my all time favorite tune about the reptile aliens made of light...It's a rare song that brings me to a teary eyed catharsis the first time I hear it. Cheers guy.
@Sturgillsimpson mayhaps I be
if you truly love real country music you will know Mr Simpson is the best pure reminder of what a true country voice sounds like.. loved him from day one,and will continue to be a fan till time after all
Anyone who can write a song based on a Terry Pratchett quote, and the effects of DMT is A-OK in my book.
*****
-thanks for your delightful internet pedantry, sir! I found that story most hilarious and interesting.
That makes me even happier to see heavy philosophical stuff he pulled into his work. 2 years to respond to a comment, haha. My feelings were so hurt it took me a while to get back to you.
The Turtle Moves...
Country wishes it was like Sturgill.
This is an acoustic masterpiece
I believe I have a new favorite artist
He went straight to the top of my charts once I figured out the meaning of turtles all the way down. He blows me away as a song writer and then hits the nail in the coffin once he sings it.
What's your interpretation of "Turtles all the way down"?
Sturgill is so good it makes me want to hang up my guitar and just leave it to the pros like him.
Was lucky enough to score tickets to his show at TXR last week, and let me tell you the new songs are bad ass live. It was like this on steroids with a whole new sound.
Can really appreciate his guitar playing..very genuine and gentle when needed.
He is so good! I just seen him in Amsterdam with my son last Friday night! He is so amazing and a heel of a show! Sweet music! :)
hell of a show!
Paula Elfritz helluva!
I wish he would come back to the Netherlands.
I go back and watch this almost every week. I just love it!
I have probably watched this Tiny Desk more than any of the others. This entire performance is a VIBE, and, lately, I've been living for it! I'll be adding Sturgill to my list of must see live shows.
I still come back to watch this from time to time..
About every day for me....
Sturgill looks like Aaron Rodgers evil twin. Great concert.
You mean Aaron Rodgers' good twin.
haha I can see it!
I also saw the resemblance immediately, maybe it is Aaron Rodgers?
The
TheDrj820 literally the best description EVER. SPOT TF ON
Great writer, his voice gives me goosebumps. Really, though, I think he's the most solid guitar player ever.
Damn this guy is a also a phenomenal guitarist. His voice is giving me goosebumps.
As soon as I heard this, I immediately flashed back to the "desperado" days of Waylon, Willie, Kris, Merle et al. So GOOD.
This guy is GREAT! Real Country music is alive!!!
Saw Sturgill Simpson on Saturday.....What a show.what a voice.........Real people with real music...Sturgill Simpson
I just discovered this guy last night because one of his songs was on the show, the 100.
I am not a country fan but I definitely dig this. I think the best collaboration that should happen is this guy and Dan Auerbach. I think the two of them together could make some pretty awesome music.
Towns van zant and john prine also