Brandy Clark: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

June 20, 2016 by JACOB GANZ • There's no explicit narrative threading together Brandy Clark's second album, Big Day In A Small Town. Instead, the 11 interconnected songs map a small collection of streets, landmarks, loves, betrayals and heartbreaks that cohere into a place as particular and as universal as Winesburg or Grover's Corners.

Low-key and wry, Clark is a meticulous songwriter who made hits for Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, LeAnn Rimes and Kacey Musgraves before she put her own name on an album. (It's hard to believe that nobody wrote the instant-classic line, "If you want the girl next door, then go next door," before she did.) But when Clark steps in front of a mic and turns on the charm, her humor pulls the audience right into every single joke — watch for the knowing smile she shoots guitarist Miles Aubrey just before she drops a bomb at the end of the first chorus of "Daughter." In anyone else's hands, that song might have been a bitter revenge fantasy, but Clark's gently swooping verses and puckered choruses sketch the bemused, from-the-front-porch distance of wronged party who knows that fate is likely to do more damage to a cad than a key would ever do to his car's glossy paint job.

"I really developed a love for small towns when my dad died and I went home for his memorial service, and there were so many people they had to have it in a gym," Clark said before introducing "Since You've Gone To Heaven," the heartbreaker that closes Big Day. "And that's not an uncommon thing in a small town, but anywhere else in the world, that only happens for a celebrity." Clark's gift as a performer is making any room — even a newsroom on a cold, rainy spring afternoon — feel as warmly human.

Big Day In A Small Town is available now:

SET LIST:
"Daughter"
"Since You've Gone To Heaven"
"Girl Next Door"

CREDITS:
Producers: Jacob Ganz, Niki Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, Maia Stern; Production Assistant: Marissa Lorusso; Photo: NPR.

[MrRogsmart]

Brandy Clark can write, sing, and play like few others. A gifted writer and performer. Miles Aubry provides low key but excellent vocal backing and hot guitar licks. Wow.

[jeremiahking]

Brandy Clark is the Greatest Female Country Music Vocalist of All time 🧡 Amazing beautiful voice

[kathirose]

Ya'll know she also wrote Better dig two, Follow you Arrow and Ain't your Mam's Broken Heart. If you like these songs you really need to check out her first Album called 12 Stories it is amazing also.

[warriornation]

I adore Brandy Clark, she is brilliantly talented. I am always in awe of her creative ability. Her mind is sexy smart!

[emmanueld.]

First time listening and I'm an instant fan. Amazing!

[ljgsuper]

i love her, she's my favorite performer now. But that back up guy is really talented too. It's absurd how many talented musicians never get much recognition. I like the way she looked back at him after the second song and acknowledged his part. I bet she's so cool to work with and have as a friend

[kathleenbower]

Brandy, you are AMAZING! I love the song Daughter. You have a great sense of humor. I also loved your guitars and it is so tasteful the way the two of you play and sing together. Thanks for making our dad!

[Gigisaur-kz]

Brandy I've been in love with your songs for 5 years or so I'm so happy to see some new stuff. xo

[zackvye]

From laughter to tears within like 4 fucking chords...Touched by a true musician

[TeXXicJA]

I love Brandy Clark. I heard stripes, which led me to 12 Stories and I was amazed at her talent. She can do no wrong with me.

[mister]

Her duet of "Love in the first degree". With Wade Bowen is another gem.

[troubletroublesme]

Girl Next Door was an instant fav when i heard it on the radio, nice to hear some of her other stuff

[gel]

One of my favourite artists hope to see her live one day she is amazing ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[JessicaDominic]

Love it! This is my first time hearing her and I love it! Love her style....now I wanna go grab my guitar and write a song! :)

[bb]

"It's hard to believe that nobody wrote the instant-classic line, "If you want the girl next door, then go next door, " before she did."

Actually, Joan Crawford said almost the same thing decades ago in a now famous quote: "I never go outside unless I look like Joan Crawford the movie star. If you want to see the girl next door, go next door."

[SkllHunter]

Wow, awesome, great songwriting and performance

[thaongantranthi]

Hope this album will be as successful as the last one!! Love you Brandy!!

[rytmelis]

Awesome singer/songwriter, Brandy Clark!!

[andydunne]

First time listener. Punchy country. I love it!!

[stephaniea]

This blew me away!! Can't wait to hear more from this artist