Frank Fairfield: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

They came to the Tiny Desk a bit groggy, having been up late playing music in the hotel the night before. It's what Frank Fairfield and his friends Tom Marion and Zac Sokolow do when they're together. And the music they make is casual and mostly hand-me-down songs from well before Fairfield was born nearly 30 years ago. These old timey marches, polkas and mountain tunes course through Fairfield's veins — you can hear it in his spellbinding voice, his fluid fiddle playing, his warm-toned banjo picking and even as he plucks bass lines on a cello. He's learned his tunes listening to 78s and hanging around older guys like Marion, a man of few words and lots of effortless mandolin melodies. It's as close as we might get to days gone by without feeling nostalgic, simply happy we have Frank Fairfield to brighten this tiny day. -- BOB BOILEN

Set List
"Tres Piedras"
"I Ain't A Goin' To Weep No More"
"Campanile De Venecia/Sharpshooters March"

Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Maggie Starbard; Audio Engineer: Brian Jarboe; Videographers: Nick Michael, Maggie Starbard; Assistant Producer: Emily Jan; photo by Emily Jan/NPR

[deehoo]

It's strange how the older I get the more appreciate honest, real sounding music.  This was great.  New fan.

[bicarbonat]

_What a merry time we'll have upon your wedding day, Hi dee dudlee um tu dum ta day, There's work for all when little boys get maaarried~_

[nickhagin]

its like we're all sitting around a fire letting the music guys of the village play around while we all fall asleep

[florianclaude]

With one of my band we played a show with him (not playing together).
It was in a house for a special evening. It was crazy, like we were back 100 years in time. Most of all, he is lovely as not so many people

[fetermcblues]

Finest authentic music so impressed to see Frank plays with these great two musicians this is phenomenal

[hauntsofnature]

Frank is so amazing!! This music makes me picture warm summers spent on a porch drinking sweet tea <3

[ethppr]

I love the way he sings, I've replayed I ain't a goin' to weep no more so many times. It's great!

[benjaminhartley]

I'm a lover and a student of music and this is what does it for me. So good, thanks

[bairiotjf]

Thank you from Belgium. Thank you Zac, thank you Frank, Tom, Craig, Meredith, Jerron, ... :-)

[NUFCGamer]

So glad I've found this little gem again - who's still listening in 2021?

[dylanperrillo]

By far the best NPR Tiny Desk there is.

[rustoleum]

14 years ago; I heard the legend of Frank.
So it goes something like; little frank was raised in Nicaragua, amongst a bunch of "old time, southern records", that happened to be there. Not far from the church's musical instrument's. The three ingredients mixed.

, and Todd got his fiddle back, with only one string left.

[briansinclair]

The most entertaining quarter hour on the internet. Love it.

[briansinclair]

This is real music, played by great musicians.

[Accou]

One of all time favorites of NPR TDC, didn't see it for a long time and "I ain't gonna weep no more" played in my dream tonight. Great song(s) and performance! Thank you.

[johnmcfadden]

Only here cos its always on the end of the Chris Stapleton NPR Tiny Desk Concert! Good stuff haha

[carolinerodrigues]

Jesus Christ!!! It's so beautiful. Hugs from Brazil.

[pkcowzah]

What a delight!..thank God they were tired

[Mariekesone]

Love these guys, wish they would tour New Zealand :-)

[briansinclair]

still the best thing on you tube. Real Music