St. Paul And The Broken Bones: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Close your eyes and listen, and you might imagine someone who looks a bit like Otis Redding. Open them, and you're likely to see someone who looks more like your neighborhood bank teller.

That man standing on my desk in the golden shoes is Paul Janeway. He was, in fact, a bank teller in Alabama not long ago — and this stupendous seven-piece band from Birmingham has only been doing this since 2012. But take a look at this Tiny Desk Concert and you'll see why St. Paul And The Broken Bones' music is so winning. It's got heart and soul and flair, with a well-worn sound buoyed by strong, fresh songwriting. -- BOB BOILEN

Set List:
"Half The City"
"Call Me"
"Broken Bones And Pocket Change"

Credits:
Producers: Bob Boilen, Maggie Starbard; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Becky Lettenberger, Colin Marshall, Maggie Starbard; Assistant Producer: James Clark; photo by James Clark/NPR

[darrenburr]

Whos still pumping this beauty in 2021? Strait chills still from this performance!

[fletchermoore]

To the woman that broke this man's thank you.

[stevesalazar]

Hallelujah brothers and sisters! I threw my crutches to the floor. Stood up. Took a step and did a face plant. Loved the music even from down there.

[username]

People who listen to tiny desk are people I want as friends

[theautumnalcyclist]

When a man wears gold shoes, He better deliver!
Booom...Delivery mans here!

[joydurham]

“Is it hot? Nah man, we from Alabama.” ....THIS MAN SPEAKING THE TRUTH

[Martyfour]

You better SANG THAT SONG PAUL! I love your sound and I am NOW a NEW FAN FOREVER!

I can't believe idiots are complaining about the sound being to black! Amy Winehouse and so many others are LEGENDS with their voices and music! Music has NO COLOR! Keep SINGING your HEARTS OUT!

[ginariccobonomyrick]

That microphone is a mere suggestion. Love it.

[kk]

Since it isn't already listed in the video, here are the names of the performers
Paul Janeway - Vocals
Al Gamble - Keys
Jesse Phillips - Acoustic Guitar (Hat)
Browan Lollar - Acoustic Guitar
Andrew Lee - Drums
Ben Griner - Trombone
Allen Branstetter - Trumpet

[spylaboratory]

That was the quickest I've ever gone from first note to purchased album.

[beestorm]

I saw them in February when they played at an old church turned into a museum/concert venue. Genuinely one of the best shows i've ever seen. Paul sounds like he eats instruments to gain their musical power.

[nosrac]

Somewhere deep inside that white boy is a soulful black grandma and I am so here for it

[coryledet]

Seen him live in New Orleans, he crawled under the stage rug and threw his shoes at the drummer. Needless to say he was very deep in his music. By far the best live performance I have ever been in attendance. He feels the music and moves the audience emotionally.

[tonyweaver]

My Momma would have loved this!! Boy Singing his ass off, she would say Baby that's that Low down blues right there!!!!

[michaelwalters]

8 years later and the way he performed broken bones and pocket change is still phenomenal

[justinec]

Just wanted to say that this band has been the unchallenged favorite for my toddler. He’s only two and is very fickle about if he’ll even tolerate the Wiggles, Sesame Street, Daniel Tiger, Super Simple Songs, etc etc and gets easily bored with other “adult” music (Led Zepplin is up there but still hit or miss with him), but this band—something about it just makes him so happy, even when he’s having a tantrum. He bounces and punches the air when he’s listening to this video and has done so for about a year.

So congrats, you have the approval of the world’s pickiest music critic.

[bggs]

I believe the technical term for what he's doing is preaching. Message received.

[SryMsJackson]

Can we get him and Leon Bridges together please! I'm a fan of Leon but now I'm feeling this guy a lot.

[the_g]

How am I just hearing these guys for the first time? I found them on Spotify like a week ago. Brilliant.

[honestjohn]

I have been listening to soul music since the late Seventies. These boys cut the mustard 100%