Brittany Howard: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Watch Brittany Howard play "Stay High", "Georgia", "Baby" and "Goat Head" at the Tiny Desk.

More from NPR Music:

Oct. 15, 2019 | Bob Boilen -- From the moment Brittany Howard walked into the NPR offices, I could sense her intense commitment and passion. Her eight-piece backing band, all decked out in red and black, played with a soulful subtlety that bolstered Brittany Howard's tender songs about her family — stories of a mixed-race child growing up in Alabama.

All the songs performed at the Tiny Desk come from Jaime, an album Brittany Howard dedicated to her sister who died at the age of 13 from a rare form of eye cancer, the same disease that has left Brittany Howard partially blind in one eye. On these songs (and in particular at this Tiny Desk Concert), there is more nuance than I've heard in Brittany's past projects, including her work with Alabama Shakes and Thunderbitch. The music has a sense of wonder and playfulness, even when the subject is heavy, as in "Georgia." She tells the audience that it's a tale of "a little young, black, gay girl having a crush on an older black girl and not knowing what to say and how I was feeling."

Brittany Howard knows how to tell a story, to foster empathy and understanding and, in this intimate setting, the songs feel at home. The connection with the audience felt visceral as I looked around the room and into the eyes of my workmates and their friends. Even a small child in the arms of their parent screamed at the appropriate moment during the climax of Brittany's song, "Baby." It gave us all a good laugh just when the weight of the words felt the heaviest.

SET LIST
"Stay High"
"Georgia"
"Baby"
"Goat Head"

MUSICIANS
Brittany Howard: vocals, guitar; Nate Smith: drums; Alex Chakour: guitar; Brad Allen Williams: guitar; Zac Cockrell: bass; Lloyd Buchanan: keys; Paul Horton: keys; Shanay Johnson: vocals; Karita Law: vocals

CREDITS
Producers: Bob Boilen, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Kara Frame, Beck Harlan, CJ Riculan; Associate Producer: Bobby Carter; Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey; VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann; Photo: Laura Beltran Villamizar/NPR

[bigPPprincess]

Brittany's mouth alone has enough soul for the entire world. We blessed.

[LboroWick]

As usual, NPR ruin my Spotify music experience with superior live performances recorded with amazing skill.

[melognaohmatic]

She’s wearing a cape because she’s a queen. She’s so amazing.

[bhathornbarnes]

I had a rollover accident on December 26, 2023 and my car was a total loss. Brittany’s cd was left in my stereo and I just heard Stay High on a TV commercial and it took me a week to remember her name so that I could find the music on her albums again. I’m so emotional right now I could cry. Thank God I’m still here alive and able to see hear and enjoy my music. ❤

[evelinmoreno]

the way she physically expresses herself while singing, you can really tell she puts her heart into these songs

[malcolmking-harris]

So by the dislikes I now know there are 171 people that hate life itself!!! Brittany Howard is the absolute TRUTH!!!

[BellTunnel]

She’s gonna turn into one of our generation’s greatest songwriters. What a sense of harmony!

[timothy]

I picked up a guitar. When I was first 57. Now I'm 58. Not good. But you're still inspiring me. Thanks baby!

[oozzyknob]

I swear that baby screaming during baby is the best part that baby knew what he/she was doing lol.

[EricG-bvui]

when someone brings an entourage of musicians to a tiny desk show, you know they love and care for the quality of their songs.

[kikko]

This sounds like an actual record. Their voices are beautiful.

[judyjetson]

Whoever is doing sound for TDC is f’n amazing. Give them a raise.

[peacetea]

Her music just makes me tear up because the music sounds like it’s saying “good job. Good work today. You worked so hard and I’m proud of you. You earned it. *pats on back* “ that’s the vibes I get from listening to her music

[youneverknowifyouregonnadi]

Brittany is THE MOST!!!! She reminds me of Willie May "BIG MAMA" Thornton; Along with the current greats, Erykah BADU/ Jill Scott/ Angie Stone and a type of Floetry, with a unique style of Bilal. Howard is too 2 too fine. Very GLAD she is out and About!!!

[SNicole]

"I'm one drop of three-fifths, right?" That line hits cold.

[duncand.]

The drummers ghost notes are nasty. Also his overall dynamics are outstanding

[sivgreyson]

i knew from the moment i found alabama shakes that i would love her

[jjaniero]

she has IT, is one of the greatest of the greats, in a league with sarah vaughn, janis, ella, billie holiday, streisand, and aretha - the rare artists who make it about the MUSIC instead of trying to show off their voices

[evahinterlach]

Not only is she an amazing singer/ songwriter, she has a huge personality. She was destined to do this

[robertgranat]

“Stay High” is such a gleeful, sunny piece of art. It puts me in an incredibly peaceful place.