Yola: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit — stripped-down sets, an intimate setting — just a different space.

Aug. 25, 2020 | Bob Boilen -- Yola is an electrifying performer. My first experience — in the dark, dingy basement of Grimey's at the 2016 AMERICANAFEST in Nashville — was stunning, soulful and frenetic. To see this British singer now — sitting in a grassy, sunlit backyard in Nashville with acoustic guitar accompaniment — was worthy of a double-take. But that's what makes these Tiny Desk (home) concerts so fascinating. We get reintroduced to the deeper sides of so many of the participating artists. In this case, Yola performs songs with guitarist Jordan Tice of Hawktail. They're beautiful interpretations of songs from her 2019 album Walk Through Fire and her 2016 EP Orphan Offering that pull back the intensity I associate with Yola's music, but are still passionate and fervent. This is a rare Yola moment in her temporary quarantine home, so put the whiskey aside, grab a glass of iced tea and chill.

SET LIST
"Faraway Look"
"Dead And Gone"
"Love Is Light"
"It Ain't Easier"

MUSICIANS
Yola: vocals, guitar; Jordan Tice: guitar, vocals

CREDITS
Video by: Doug Hall; Audio by: Doug Hall; Producer: Bob Boilen; Audio Mastering Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Video Producer: Morgan Noelle Smith; Associate Producer: Bobby Carter; Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey; Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

[mariamaldonado]

Yola is SUCH a good way to start the mornings. I’m going to go hug all the trees now

[katie-]

I appreciate a musician who re-tunes often

[abundantlove]

Anybody having goosebumps listening to her? WOW 😮 what a voice!

[starlight]

You see the goodness in her eyes, she sings beautiful. Jordan sings very well in close harmony and his guitar play is beautiful.

[kelb]

First time hearing her. She's giving me life.

[Decadancehallking]

A country music icon, such beautiful songs to accompany such a beautiful voice

[PentameronSV]

0:00 - *Faraway Look* (3:17)
4:39 - *Dead And Gone* (9:07)
10:06 - *Love Is Light* (13:12)
14:15 - *It Ain't Easier* (19:01)

[haythemsahlia]

Great voice! she could perform a great animation movie soundtrack

[quiqui]

Wow! I love folk music, but I hardly ever see Black people up front in it. It's so inspiring! She's truly at home in it.

[doranparker-napp]

Yola's music is food for the soul! Love her music!

[kimschmutzler]

Angels everywhere. Beautiful reminder, beautiful people.

[leahmay]

What a voice!!!! My god!! The last song was incredible 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[katlinseagraves]

Yola is the best and her newest album is amazing. Y’all gotta give it a listen.

[dawnrobbins]

Beautiful performance. Feels like she's singing all the good songs we remember from long ago. Good stuff.

[stevenbriggs]

what a powerful voice for such a powerful woman. YEAH, YOLA!!

[gambya]

She is an absolute joy and a treasure.

Raw talent and a perfect, untouched voice. A real, pure singer.

Perfect intersection of soul, folk and country. Yola is a unique gem.

[tomw]

The two best opening acts I've ever seen and made me a lifelong fan. Yola and the California Honeydrops

[fonda]

Thank you NPR for opening my eyes and ears to something new, wonderful and beautiful. Wow what an amazing voice. So sweet and heartfelt. Think this is how I want to start my mornings.

[gorgeousbianca]

Shared this with my friends because I do not think I can just watch and keep it moving like nothing happened 🤣

[JoseAugustoMenezesdeAssuncao]

Shes a big sweet surprise, what voice!! What wonderful singer❤❤❤❤❤❤