Benjamin Clementine: Tiny Desk Concert

April 18, 2016 by BOB BOILEN • Right near the top of this performance, Benjamin Clementine looks toward the camera with an intense stare and sings, "Where I'm from, you see the rain / Before the rain even starts to rain." At that point, when I'm already hanging on every word, I feel like I'm witnessing an almost otherworldly presence — a visitor with wisdom to impart.

Clementine is a musician and poet who grew up in London and later moved to Paris, where as a teenager he slept on the streets at night and busked in the daylight hours. That's how he was "discovered," and in 2015, he released his first album, At Least For Now. There are intimate moments of revelation in this immersive, breathtaking performance, and his voice and piano both sound magnificent. I can't think of anyone quite like him.

At Least For Now is available for pre-order now:

Set List:
"Condolence"
"Gone"
"Adios"

Credits: Producers: Bob Boilen, Niki Walker; Audio Engineers: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, Kara Frame; Production Assistant: Jackson Sinnenberg; Photo: NPR.

[ryankim]

request for a movie where benjamin clementine is a vampire who accidentally killed his lover a hundred years ago and he lives in an old abandoned church and plays these songs on a dusty piano

[dopemcee]

never heard of him..
will never forget him

[Deantrey]

His face and voice seem classic for some reason, he looks like he time travelled here from the 1950s or something.

[thesameinitials]

Comments, summarized:
- He's Nina Simone reincarnated
- He sounds ancestral
- He would make a great Dracula
- He has huge cheekbones
- He has tiny ears
There, now you don't have to scroll down

[rahrhi]

Im sending my condolence to the 500+ people who disliked this.

[williamhilderbrandt]

I ran into him performing a few times in the Paris metro and every time stopped and listened. I'd be late for work or meeting friends but it was always worth it. Everyone stared unblinking: it was surreal to see and hear such a performer for free and in such proximity with thousands of other people walking by not recognizing his amazing talents.

[gageiiiiitttt]

I keep coming back to this whenever I need my periodic dose of human brilliance.

[elitheegg]

he gives off such a... mythical presence i guess? he doesn't seem real.

[goratanemaorani]

He seems million years old. The soul that sings though him is deep. This is powerful. The energy is divine.

[damnzman]

I saw his performance in Rotterdam... had me crying on so many turns... And then some guy yelled that he should stop talking and play more music. I hate people! Guy got booed out of the hall, and Mr. Clementine explained that he shall never just play music on order, because thats what he did when he was on the streets, and now he is selling out venues. More tears.... I love this guy

[RamblinAround]

This is completely unrestrained genius.

[indiepoetic]

Can you believe this angel is only in his late 20s? What a soul.

[summereden]

he is insanely beautiful in every possible way

[julesyork]

I have actually spent weeks begging people to listen to at least this performance of his.... The world NEEDS TO KNOW. At least I can share with the other amazed commenters

[Blackdiamond_]

There is something ancestral about his voice and his spirit.

[philkimonge]

Seems like he just woke up and said "eff it, I'll sing whatever's on my mind". Mind blown.

[tomsmith]

I can't add to the praise Benjamin Clementine has received in this comment section, but want to thank him for taking my soul and molding it like putty. He's been medicine in times of need.

[adeline-music]

His piano work is truly neoclassical. That combined with the absolute depth, rasp, and warmness of his voice and the breaking-the-box rhythm of his words make for a extraordinary performance. Phenomenal musician.

[Mariekesone]

He possesses a very special musical soul of his own....just like Nina Simone had.

[simonbauke]

There are genius singers,  there are genius pianists and there are genius performers. 
However, a combination of these three is seldom.