Maxwell: Tiny Desk Concert

Mitra I. Arthur | August 23, 2024
Have you ever been in a room where you can feel a palpable, collective swooning? Welcome to a Maxwell Tiny Desk. The crooner’s sensual falsetto and rooted baritone have seduced audiences since his debut album dropped in 1996. One of the leading voices in the resurgence of soul music during the late ’90s, Maxwell’s albums are full of tender songs recounting love, life and heartbreak that have resonated with generations of fans looking for ways to be vulnerable.

Clad in soothing neutrals, Maxwell charmingly admitted his nervousness at being at the Desk, stating that “This is where real music can’t lie. You cannot lie here.” The audience was there with encouragement — singing along, screaming in pure glee and adding the party vibe when needed. His set here featured “Sumthin' Sumthin'” complete with a funky bass solo from Darrell "Free" Freeman. “Lifetime” features impressive work from Travis Sayles on the keys and Shedrick “Shed” Mitchell on the Hammond B3 organ, an instrument I’m admittedly partial to. Maxwell presented his latest single during this set, a cover of the Al Green classic “Simply Beautiful,” breathing life into the song and paying homage to the soul singer. To end his set, Maxwell performed the song that launched his career, “Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder).” Percussionist Charles Haynes gave us a little D.C. go-go flavor as everyone partied.

SET LIST
“Sumthin' Sumthin'”
“Bad Habits”
“Lifetime”
“Pretty Wings”
“Simply Beautiful”
“Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)”

MUSICIANS
Maxwell: lead vocals
Shedrick "Shed" Mitchell: keys, musical director
Hod David: guitar
Travis Sayles: keys
Darryl "Lil Man" Howell: drums
Darrell "Free" Freeman: bass
LaTina Webb: vocals
Aaron Marcellus: vocals
Charles Haynes: percussion

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Maia Stern
Audio Technical Director: Josephine Nyounai
Videographers: Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Sofia Seidel, Zayrha Rodriguez
Audio Engineer: Ted Mebane
Photographer: Estefania Mitre
Tiny Desk Team: Kara Frame, Ashley Pointer, Hazel Cills
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins

#nprmusic #tinydesk #maxwell

[armandjudd]

Whoever is behind the programming of Tiny Desk deserves a Grammy and Nobel Peace Prize!

[robertmarshall]

So, are the people in charge of these 2024 performances getting a raise or nah????
😂😂😂 They are on point!!!!

[Backpackfiles]

I'm 53. My favorite big cousin, 83, lives upstairs from us. She has dementia and the memory fails. I played this for her and suddenly it was 1996 again. Thank you, NPR!

[AngelinaHickman-ph]

Millennial here. Love all of Maxwell’s catalog. Been singing them from childhood. Ran to watch this Tiny Desk.

[samkelokey]

He's not celebrated enough. One of the Greats

[Dhk]

Maxwell might be one of the only artists to have a MTV Unplugged, VH1 Storytellers, and a Tiny Desk. That's longevity on another level

[lolakhan]

With ticket prices so high..if you can't afford to go to live concerts. Come over to Tiny Desk and enjoy these great artists..Tiny Desk is booking this is great. Thanks Tiny Desk.

[gifi]

Whoever is doing the booking, give them a raise and sign them to an extension. The mix of artist, I love it.

[juliet]

Give whoever is booking this years Tiny Desks a very big raise!!!

[ebonyr.b.]

Soooo… the fact that he was so nervous that he couldn’t sleep was soooo cute to hear from such a seasoned artist!!

[tgsjm]

Millennial here! I love Maxwell. Been listening to him since the 90s when my mom would blast Urban Hangout on a Friday/ Saturday night after she just made daiquiris and dancing in the living room. Now i blast it for my son and we dance just the same. This generational music and we love you! Stay blessed brotha🤎

[rodriquezthomas]

Tiny Desk need to come out with the best of the tiny desk compilation album….
Because this right here is pure perfection and like he said you can’t hide if you can sing or perform on the TINY DESK… real R&B AT ITS BEST

[lynettewinters]

The way Maxwell is AUTHENTICALLY engaged with the audience is top tier 😌

[dianafairley]

I was a limo driver in Chicago years ago and drove Maxwell. It was right when Jill Scott had come out. He gave me money to buy her CD to make sure I got it. He was a pure soul 😊

[CRJII]

Oh, this band is killing it on every level.

[arvellgreen]

The bass player came to do what needed to be done 🙌🏾

[djeezee]

The fact that, Maxwell, of all people. Was nervous about living up to a worthy performance on Tiny Desk. Is a testament to why he is such an iconic artist. We weren't nervous. We knew exactly what we would get. Perfection!!

[sGloss]

That female backup singer has been with him for literally YEARS. And she still sounds the same!

[algernon]

The control Maxwell still has over his voice is insane !!

[BrendaJackson-gmib]

Sitting at work at 5:30 AM listening 🎶 to Maxwell. Milwaukee!!!! 8-24-2024. Thank you Tiny Desk.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤