The Decemberists: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

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  • Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
  • When he turned up at the NPR Music offices to perform three songs from 'The King Is Dead,' Decemberists frontman Colin Meloy wasn't expecting to be staring into dozens, if not hundreds, of rapt faces.
    Set List:
    "Down By The Water"
    "Rox In The Box"
    "June Hymn"
    For more videos and to subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concert podcast, visit npr.org/tinydeskconcerts

КОМЕНТАРІ • 634

  • @kaetce
    @kaetce 5 років тому +648

    Npr it’s time to have these guys come back it’s been far too long

    • @netforce0
      @netforce0 3 роки тому +11

      way too long now :(

    • @brandonpoint
      @brandonpoint 3 роки тому +4

      We here in good old Germany are still waiting for you coming back.

    • @bluupadoop
      @bluupadoop 2 роки тому +3

      For real though, ten years is way too long

    • @juvingonsalves
      @juvingonsalves 2 роки тому +3

      Iron and Wine too

    • @electroid4
      @electroid4 Рік тому +2

      They came back today :)

  • @niallwhite1969
    @niallwhite1969 9 років тому +185

    We should all be so lucky to have Sara Watkins as a back-up singer and musician. What a treasure she is!

  • @CuddlyPsycho1134
    @CuddlyPsycho1134 5 років тому +58

    He has such a beautiful voice!

    • @pinot7914
      @pinot7914 3 роки тому +4

      What a moment when my local record store handed me their first vinyl! Still remember...thanks

  • @USandNL
    @USandNL Рік тому +8

    Can I just say that Tiny Desk is by far my favorite place to hear fantastic acoustic music!

  • @garchbrown
    @garchbrown 9 років тому +192

    June Hymn, quite the song. This dude's vocabulary is beautiful.

    • @bigred1222
      @bigred1222 7 років тому +22

      One of the things that stands out about him for sure and one of the reasons I love the Decemberists stuff. He uses words that you only usually find in novels and such.

    • @Pablosammy1
      @Pablosammy1 5 років тому +16

      I learned what a 'panoply' was from this song!

    • @davedarling6512
      @davedarling6512 5 років тому +3

      @Eric Larry it means "a whole bunch of stuff"

    • @marylou6550
      @marylou6550 4 роки тому +9

      @@bigred1222 he actually went to school to be a writer/novelist, and then became a singer songwriter.

    • @anyataylorjoy1023
      @anyataylorjoy1023 4 роки тому +6

      I got a high school reading level in 7th grade English because of Colin ✌️:)

  • @arfurlife
    @arfurlife 13 років тому +22

    2 months ago I had never heard of the Decemberists. Then I had the good fortune to come across this wonderful performance. Now me and my good lady are fervent admirers and followers. We sing and play their songs constantly and cannot get enough of them. Not only is 'The King is dead' a superb classic album but all their stuff is proving to be brilliant. They are a blessing upon this world and I salute them for their outstanding contribution to the art of music. Totally inspiring !

    • @davedarling6512
      @davedarling6512 10 місяців тому

      their songs are incredible, they have embedded themselves in my very soul

    • @mattsiegel9876
      @mattsiegel9876 10 місяців тому

      The Hazards of Love!

    • @timk6181
      @timk6181 9 місяців тому

      Q​@@davedarling6512

  • @chibisven
    @chibisven 9 років тому +42

    This is probably my favorite tiny desk concert. I've listened over and over. Each song just hits me in a special way.

  • @dragonsouleater1119
    @dragonsouleater1119 3 роки тому +67

    this hits me so hard, emotionally. weird seeing him nervous. such a legendary band. feel bad for people who haven't heard their huge discography.

    • @USandNL
      @USandNL Рік тому +4

      I just discovered them. Better late than never!

    • @ChrisSandstorm
      @ChrisSandstorm 3 місяці тому

      Some treasures we don't really have to share with the masses do we?

    • @vizualizeit08
      @vizualizeit08 2 місяці тому

      They're so amazing love them❤

  • @Jay-gg6xg
    @Jay-gg6xg 5 місяців тому +6

    Authentic. Midwestern, folksy, hayseed trio. Loved it.

  • @welllazvdo2216
    @welllazvdo2216 3 роки тому +5

    I simply loved that long breath he gave when he sang "Will I bring myself to write" @ 11:30 - so beautiful all those notes in one single breath.

  • @hellboy3756
    @hellboy3756 3 роки тому +10

    i grew up on the decemberists and I LOVE THEM WITH MY WHOLE HEART

    • @battleborn8658
      @battleborn8658 9 місяців тому +1

      I grew old with the decemberists and I love them just the same. Cheers.

  • @joelestes2257
    @joelestes2257 5 років тому +41

    Wow, her harmony is pristine. Nice work.

    • @medderscannon21
      @medderscannon21 Рік тому +2

      originally she was a bluegrass singer with the band Nickel Creek. They have great harmony all around.

    • @miekamariehodson1731
      @miekamariehodson1731 11 місяців тому +2

      ​@@medderscannon21she still is

  • @robertanderson5334
    @robertanderson5334 2 роки тому +2

    I play Severed over and over. Never get tired of it even after years of listeniing.

  • @Ag3ntW1nd3x
    @Ag3ntW1nd3x 5 років тому +7

    I'd love to see these guys invited again!

  • @allissondiego1989
    @allissondiego1989 Рік тому +2

    I was introduced to decemberists in 2009. Been in love with them ever since.

  • @mattheckler9841
    @mattheckler9841 11 років тому +20

    Yeah she toured for the entirety of The King is Dead tour with them, and is featured on their recent double live album. Hope she stays permanently, I think her voice perfectly compliments Colin's.

  • @thaidye5676
    @thaidye5676 5 років тому +8

    Glad I found this. My introduction to the Decemberists. Sarah compliments his voice so well. What I would pay to have seen this live. Talent is oozing from these 3. Thank you again NPR for giving us such perfection in recording. i need to look into how I could attend these performances. I would fly from Chicago in a heart beat for a day just to see these performances. They are priceless. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to who ever took the time to come up with this series.

    • @davedarling6512
      @davedarling6512 10 місяців тому

      They're coming to Chicago in May, I hope you are able to go

  • @ibanez9175
    @ibanez9175 11 років тому +6

    I saw them when they had just released The King Is Dead and Sara Watkins was touring with them. They were so amazing live, easily one of the best bands I've ever seen.
    After the show Sara came out and signed cd's and talked to people. She is such a wonderful, beautiful person.
    Best night of my life!

  • @shwatson11
    @shwatson11 9 років тому +134

    I'll be damned. I never had any idea the Sara Watkins from Nickel creek also played with the Decemberists. I learn something new every day.

    • @waywardmind
      @waywardmind 8 років тому +14

      I don't think she regularly does. But what a helluva nice surprise!

    • @MrGrimspike
      @MrGrimspike 7 років тому +16

      Just looked that up:
      How you can read on Wikipedia and on the news page of The Decemberists homepage for the 01.04.10 www.decemberists.com/news/the-decemberists-news-1-4-10/ Sara Watkins joined the band contributing fiddle, guitar, percussion, and vocals on the whole The Decemberists' 2011 tour.

    • @carolhall5744
      @carolhall5744 7 років тому

      I know!!! Me, too!

    • @sethangel4334
      @sethangel4334 7 років тому +9

      I'm pretty sure she was a part of their The King is Dead album and tour only. She wasn't on their most recent album. They purposely gave The King is Dead a more bluegrass-y folk feel and if you're Colin Meloy and you're going for soulfilled, violin/fiddle you might as well go get the best.

    • @jeffjohnson8836
      @jeffjohnson8836 7 років тому +11

      I saw them in Teluride in 2011 (during the stint Sara was with them). They explained that Sara was filling in for Jenny Conlee while Jenny was out with health concerns (breast cancer if memory serves).

  • @Laststepp
    @Laststepp 13 років тому +5

    My favorite folk ensemble ever.

  • @jasonedwarddoucette
    @jasonedwarddoucette 6 років тому +2

    this is how this musics meant to be heard and played... so crisp so real

  • @chrisgifford3888
    @chrisgifford3888 6 років тому +3

    Just saw this fantastic group in London last night. They really loved up to my expectations. Just brilliant.

  • @mattheckler9841
    @mattheckler9841 10 років тому +61

    So the bridge of June Hymn gives me chills every single time.

  • @TokyoBlue587
    @TokyoBlue587 7 років тому +3

    What a great voice! And they played 3 songs from my favorite album.

  • @Mike_Boland
    @Mike_Boland 10 місяців тому

    June Hymn get me every time and brings such strong emotion. It is a perfect song and makes me long for summer. Great listen in these wintry months when hope springs eternal!

  • @LoneGranger
    @LoneGranger 9 років тому +33

    Just such a creative songwriting group. Thank you for posting this. Just beautiful.

  • @Phroakieboi
    @Phroakieboi Рік тому +2

    Colin meloy is an extraordinary human.

  • @WGBHMusic
    @WGBHMusic 11 років тому +27

    The Decemberists are fantastic. Another excellent Portland band. We recently filmed Typhoon live at Brighton Music Hall in Boston. Amazing show.

  • @CelticHD
    @CelticHD 10 років тому +8

    Fantastic, listened to this clip and had to buy the album. I'm looking forward to exploring more of NPR's tiny desk concerts.

    • @DWHarper62
      @DWHarper62 4 роки тому

      Your favorite record, right?... that album is a classic already...

  • @charlesjb-r4v
    @charlesjb-r4v 2 роки тому +1

    I was just introduced to The Decemberists, ten years too late! Oddly enough, it was at the local library, where a librarian told me about the music and Colin Meloy's books. I've been enjoying the CD The King is Dead and the live CD from that tour. Hope to hear more of their music and maybe see a show.

  • @MyDave3000
    @MyDave3000 Рік тому

    This is total amazing and special Sara is awesome I can watch this footage over and over again

  • @AlisonWild
    @AlisonWild 7 років тому +1

    I can never turn away from Colin Meloy and his excellent fellow artists, I'm addicted in a serious way.

  • @Snacktime12345
    @Snacktime12345 7 років тому +2

    Ive listened to June hymn soo many times but this brought me to tears beautiful

  • @terminaljunkie7790
    @terminaljunkie7790 7 років тому

    Oh...how wonderful was that?
    Sublime, pure talent on display.

  • @jeffreylower9469
    @jeffreylower9469 10 років тому +52

    I absolutely LOVE that Sara Watkins performed with The Decemberists. I've loved her since Nickel Creek.

    • @scottquick1802
      @scottquick1802 Рік тому

      I love Sara and was lucky enough to see them on this tour. The Crane Wife was a great album, but the addition of Sara on The King is Dead made it my favorite of all their great albums.

  • @andreasrys883
    @andreasrys883 7 років тому +1

    Beautiful! How I love these melodies! Wunderbar!

  • @timanthonymanuel
    @timanthonymanuel 4 роки тому +21

    Wait, is that Sara Watkins? Love NickelCreek and the Decemberists. But these 2 together? Amazing

  • @GeneralTahung
    @GeneralTahung 2 роки тому +4

    Saw these guys live in 2012. I’ve seen a lot since and they still top the list. Would love to see em again!

  • @davidroberts8731
    @davidroberts8731 4 роки тому +1

    This is beautiful, very soothing, I keep coming back.

  • @Falling2U1
    @Falling2U1 12 років тому +1

    I can come back to this over and over and it always touches me.

  • @artangelic
    @artangelic 5 років тому +5

    this is great! I can't believe they got so big. Go Chris!!

  • @HeyZeus096
    @HeyZeus096 8 років тому +41

    I think this earned a spot among my favorite Tiny Desk shows.
    Passion Pit, Moon Hooch, Suzanne Vega, Tallest Man in the World, Civil Wars, and Alt-J are also all up high on the list.

    • @alexmoliski1584
      @alexmoliski1584 8 років тому +2

      The Jayhawks, Jose Gonzalez, and Sam Bean are definitely my favorite.

    • @KyleHurd
      @KyleHurd 8 років тому +2

      Alex Moliski anything with Chris Thile for me.

    • @harryverbaas8761
      @harryverbaas8761 8 років тому

      HeyZeus096 kexp

    • @TheTennisguy88
      @TheTennisguy88 8 років тому +5

      tallest man on earth? must not have liked it that much...

    • @rafaelhannah4818
      @rafaelhannah4818 8 років тому +7

      The national is my fave

  • @chrissmith256
    @chrissmith256 5 років тому +10

    'training jasmine how to vine, up the arbor to your door, and more..'Colin is a true lyricist. Loved the recovery during June Hymn. Can they come back and do Rise to Me, please? How about a tiny version of Roll Jimmy? F yeah!

  • @Exayevie
    @Exayevie 5 років тому +36

    I love the Decemberists, and though it be an unpopular opinion among others who love the Decemberists, this is my very favorite of their albums.

    • @thawmas
      @thawmas 5 років тому +2

      Exayevie as a decemberists fan, yeah, this is the best album

    • @westonharby165
      @westonharby165 5 років тому +5

      The king is dead? 100% agree.

    • @kaki4forks
      @kaki4forks 5 років тому +4

      It doesn’t have my favorite songs but I do think it’s the best album

    • @nikbicanski8995
      @nikbicanski8995 2 роки тому +2

      their best by a long shot i'd say!

    • @mahayanarudy
      @mahayanarudy 2 роки тому +6

      Tie between King and Picaresque for me

  • @88woodbikes
    @88woodbikes 8 років тому +4

    Love it June Hymn is song craft par excellence. Thanks Colin

    • @thaidye5676
      @thaidye5676 5 років тому

      Agreed. It is perfection

  • @herrmajj
    @herrmajj 13 років тому +1

    Some of the music we hear today we will listen to for a long time to come...

  • @davidmcdonough7774
    @davidmcdonough7774 4 роки тому +1

    Love the tunes! Had never heard about you guys before this. Glad you made it to the tiny desk!

  • @Pablosammy1
    @Pablosammy1 7 років тому +1

    Can't stop watching this...

  • @lexoflex5451
    @lexoflex5451 7 місяців тому +69

    Still listening in 2024!!!

  • @balance_one
    @balance_one 7 років тому +5

    I LOVE that this is not edited. Decemberists + NPR TDC =

  • @jondi11
    @jondi11 12 років тому +5

    recently discovered this band, loving their stuff

  • @Mouldytone
    @Mouldytone 13 років тому +7

    "The King Is Dead" album is sublime. Thanks for this fabulous mini desk concert.
    Tony

  • @mindseyemelodies
    @mindseyemelodies 5 років тому +1

    I am so in love with this band.

  • @MrDigre89
    @MrDigre89 10 років тому

    Just now listening to these guys, they are amazing !

  • @shrekisloveshrekislife666
    @shrekisloveshrekislife666 10 років тому +47

    They have so much talent I'm iterally crying. Someday they will get the credit they deserve

  • @circleof5555
    @circleof5555 7 років тому

    Definitely a top 10 combo for all time in the history of music. Sara!!! Yes!!! So talented! Wow! Love it!

  • @marcguerino5645
    @marcguerino5645 8 років тому +14

    Just discovered these guys now so I decided to look them up. Holy shit they have a lot of music

  • @ariakiss
    @ariakiss 12 років тому +3

    Would love to see this trio playing acoustic like this set. Wow! They should take it on the road. Sara adds so much to this band.

  • @ErinVarley
    @ErinVarley 13 років тому

    Awesome. Love to see people who like to sing and play

  • @jimmyharmony-eleven8455
    @jimmyharmony-eleven8455 7 років тому +4

    this man is a lyrical genius! soak it in, fortunate ones!

  • @thenobleandmightybeaver4411
    @thenobleandmightybeaver4411 9 років тому

    Saw these guy live about 6 months ago, sooooooooo goooooood.

  • @hawesg
    @hawesg 11 років тому +7

    Loved that they did June Hymn.

  • @pbone1984
    @pbone1984 12 років тому +3

    Absolutely amazing video. I think June Hymn could be my favourite song of all time.

  • @ThePogsons
    @ThePogsons 5 років тому +1

    June Hymn - just stunning

  • @AdsoSebastio
    @AdsoSebastio 11 років тому +2

    One of the best tiny desk sessions I've seen.

  • @loreleipetry3821
    @loreleipetry3821 10 років тому +10

    Her voice is so incredible, icing on the cake of already beautiful music!

    • @mattheckler9841
      @mattheckler9841 10 років тому +4

      Sara Watkins from the band Nickel Creek. You can also hear her on the live Decemberists album "We All Raise Our Voices to the Air"

    • @zepareace
      @zepareace 6 років тому

      Also I'm with her, check them out! They also have an npr performance. Pure magic!

  • @floydsmama
    @floydsmama 12 років тому +12

    Jenny Conlee was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in May 2011. I believe that's Sara Watkins from Nickel Creek. I wish there were more notes for this TDC.

  • @judeseamus
    @judeseamus 6 років тому +37

    As an aspiring musician, it's reassuring to know that even professionals make mistakes.

    • @Droidzey
      @Droidzey 3 роки тому +7

      If you check out Ben Folds' tiny desk he forgets a whole bars worth of lyrics during the first song, it's always nice to know that even the professionals and musical geniuses mess up

  • @jordanferrazza8700
    @jordanferrazza8700 5 років тому +2

    The Decemberists is one of my favorite artists.
    Andrew Bird is currently my favorite artist.

  • @jamenb7344
    @jamenb7344 7 років тому

    great post . love sara and all her friends

  • @goblethisgoblethat
    @goblethisgoblethat 11 років тому +4

    They are even better live!

    • @jakathehutt
      @jakathehutt 11 років тому +1

      I agree completely! It's incredible how good this sounds.

  • @Dagrond
    @Dagrond 11 років тому +2

    Man, their voices really meld together.

  • @Nextlevel1100
    @Nextlevel1100 12 років тому

    These guys are amazing, simply amazing.

  • @SsooFfetch
    @SsooFfetch 13 років тому

    Watching, liking, favoriting, sharing and watching this video a thousand and one times does not satisfy how much I love this!

  • @CAl3vara
    @CAl3vara 13 років тому

    Another excellent concert from the Tiny Desk Concert series. These are the highlight of my day every time they show up. I usually spend my days working with my headphones on with these little concerts playing back in my ears. Nothing like feeling like the Avett Brothers are sitting behind you as you work :)

  • @SmokingBokonon
    @SmokingBokonon 12 років тому +1

    These songs fill me up like few others, the only word I can use to describe the feeling I'm left with is "sated". Like a cool drink on a hot, hot day..not much left to say.

  • @saraholivo2860
    @saraholivo2860 4 роки тому +2

    Colin is the embodiment of all I ever want to be creatively

  • @horrido666
    @horrido666 6 років тому

    This is the video that made these guys one of my favorite bands.

  • @moudvon6852
    @moudvon6852 5 років тому +2

    Amo a este artista!! Sus canciones, su forma de interpretarlas!! Todo muy bueno! Me gustaría verlo en vivo alguna vez

  • @blacksunfish
    @blacksunfish 3 роки тому +3

    Utterly brilliant. Love the 'Raggle Taggle Gypsy' violin solo in 'RitB'.

  • @jay-ks1ex
    @jay-ks1ex Рік тому +1

    Just found this band. Glad I did before I died.

  • @Mouldytone
    @Mouldytone 13 років тому +10

    Hang on! That`s Sara Watkins on fiddle and backing vocals! I`m officially in Heaven on earth! What a great mini concert.

  • @jedward5155
    @jedward5155 7 місяців тому +2

    Colin Meloy is a ridiculously talented dude.

  • @davidking3311
    @davidking3311 3 роки тому +6

    Colin actually wearing a Visitors pass as he is performing

  • @desboyer8114
    @desboyer8114 9 років тому +1

    Great group!!!

  • @IchiShiroTori
    @IchiShiroTori 11 років тому

    Saw them live, it was amazing!!!

  • @debrapoole7671
    @debrapoole7671 10 років тому +4

    NPR Music on UA-cam & Facebook = Greatest music online!

  • @CaiolaMusic
    @CaiolaMusic 13 років тому +1

    when you write such intricate lyrics it's so easy to fuck them up... what a performance.. great band

  • @willstuartbrown
    @willstuartbrown 12 років тому

    JUNE HYMN. Makes me melt.

  • @entourage27
    @entourage27 13 років тому

    watching this video made my day so much better. wow

  • @rexfordrobinson5079
    @rexfordrobinson5079 11 років тому

    Great stuff! Really liked the second tune.

  • @MrDjdave1
    @MrDjdave1 10 років тому

    It happenes to the best love these folks.this is as real as it gets.

  • @YersiniaPestisNPO
    @YersiniaPestisNPO 13 років тому

    wow better than the CD. Love this!

  • @angelicaluce3230
    @angelicaluce3230 6 років тому +5

    I was in trouble - I was going down - and then I heard THE DECEMBERISTS and I was NO LONGER ALONE.

    • @mimis5140
      @mimis5140 3 роки тому

      Angelina Luce: our stories and love for this group are identical!! 💞

  • @jimmyharmony-eleven8455
    @jimmyharmony-eleven8455 8 років тому +6

    Rox in the Box has such a Celtic / Renaissance magic to it.

    • @Trencomtrink
      @Trencomtrink 8 років тому +3

      Jimmy Harmony-Eleven ....Raggle Taggle Gypsy......Planxty

  • @boblapre4904
    @boblapre4904 8 років тому +1

    these folks r the best...sara you too!

  • @austins.2495
    @austins.2495 4 дні тому +1

    Sheesh, this is chilling… I had no idea

  • @vinmos18
    @vinmos18 9 років тому

    These guys were awesome at ACL!

  • @basselope1418
    @basselope1418 13 років тому +2

    ya, i love the fact that they have Sara fn Watkins as backup! awesome!

  • @thorn99thorn
    @thorn99thorn 5 років тому +3

    I love this album