Sam Smith: Tiny Desk Concert

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Stephen Thompson | September 29, 2023
What you've got here is a perfect 20-minute distillation of The Sam Smith Experience: The Grammy-winning 2014 ballad that kicked off the singer's career ("Stay With Me"), a sleek dance-pop banger ("How Do You Sleep") and a chart-topping dollop of debauched hedonism ("Unholy") bundled together with "Lay Me Down," in which Smith performed a gorgeous duet with LaDonna Harley-Peters. From the stately to the louche and bawdy — Smith even introduced "Unholy" with a perfect summation of their recent artistic direction: "Let's get saucy!" — it's all here.

Performing with an 11-person choir and two instrumentalists — sadly, Kim Petras wasn't there to emerge from between Smith's legs as if she were being birthed — Smith brought an overflowing bag of tricks to the proceedings. But what really shone through was a sense of movement: Each song swayed and played effervescently, centering Smith while also elevating every other magnificent voice in support. This set may not serve as anyone's introduction to the music of Sam Smith, but it's still a hell of a gateway — and a joy to behold.

SET LIST
"Stay With Me"
"How Do You Sleep"
"Lay Me Down (feat. LaDonna Harley-Peters)"
"Unholy"

MUSICIANS
Sam Smith: vocals
Ruth O'Mahony Brady: piano, effects
Ben Totten: guitar
LaDonna Harley-Peters: vocals
Patrick Linton: choir
Lucita Jules: choir
Megan Thomaston: choir
Brandon Payne: choir
Christian King: choir
Troi Lauren: choir
Roy Dyshon Warren: choir
Carmen Kirvy: choir
Shalisha Smith: choir
Safa Alston: choir
Ant Clemons: choir conductor

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Sofia Seidel, Catie Dull
Audio Assistant: Hannah Gluvna
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Michael Zamora
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Maia Stern, Hazel Cills
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#nprmusic #tinydesk #samsmith

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nprmusic

The mics were definitely ON🔥🔥🔥Tiny Desk needs to be nominated for something for all of these amazing performances

shaykay

The NPR sound engineers should receive a grammy for their amazing recording techniques!!

garyrandall

I love that he can be the singer in front but can somehow fade into the back to let all the backup/supporting musicians style. So humble.

MissSorceress

The pianist doesn’t get enough love. She absolutely killed it !

leoreyes

Shout out to the pianist girl! She was absolutly amazing.

alehxnc

The duet for Lay Me Down def hit the feels and made cry..
Unholy was phenom as expected 🔥
And the pianist played the heck out her instrument.

Babyloven

Sam is one of those rare artists who sounds better live. Unreal ❤

CMR

Once again tiny desk ruins all recordings of an artist for me because this is just so freaking good. I want an entire album with Sam and the choir.

pkweller

Not only is Sam a brilliant vocalist, but I don't know if I've ever seen a big artist show so much love and appreciation for their backing vocalists and musicians. Sam is always putting the spotlight on them, and making sure they get their flowers. It's beautiful to see, and you can tell they adore Sam too. Whole crew radiates love and TALENT

aylatt

Julianne Moore is killing it on the piano 😂

latinochicano

sam‘s voice + the choir = absolute heaven 😍

naomm

My lord - that version with Ladonna needs to be recorded and released! And Sam you should do an entire album like this. Your voice is incredible but with the singers only vocal harmonies with the twist version on your songs ., .. my god ….totally moving- emotional roller coaster but in a good way! Thank you for your wonderful music and all of you sharing your talent with us.

mrom

Adele, Sam Smith & Amy Whinehouse knew how awesome Black Vocalist added to their sound✌He has a great voice like Sting has it's an instrument

ButchBrown

How do you sleep is quite possibly one of the best vocal performances I have ever heard in my life. Sam is always on point, but the choir behind him is un-friggin-believable. I must've watched it 100+ times today alone. They are perfection

jonnycrown