Suzanne Vega: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

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In pop-music circles, Suzanne Vega is known almost entirely for two songs from the late 1980s: the child-abuse ballad "Luka" and a song that launched literally dozens of dance remixes, "Tom's Diner." But Vega has been making vital, inventive music the entire time — much of it folk-based, though her sound has taken many smart detours along the way — and is about to put out her first album of original material in seven years, Tales From the Realm of the Queen of Pentacles. The challenge, then, lies in capturing a snapshot of her career in only four songs.

For this Tiny Desk Concert — performed with her brilliant guitarist and producer, Gerry Leonard — Vega splits the difference evenly between old and new, bookending her set with the aforementioned classics and tucking two about-to-be-released songs in the middle. Game and good-spirited throughout, Vega performed "Luka" and "Tom's Diner" as if she hadn't played them thousands of times before — aided greatly by Leonard, who's worked extensively with David Bowie and lends these songs an extraordinary amount of color and texture. (Check out the "bells" he adds near the end of "Tom's Diner.")

Vega's songwriting gifts haven't waned at any point in her long career, and the new songs here — taken from a concept album about the way our world and the spiritual realm intersect — sound as sharp as anything she's done. It only makes sense that, nearly 30 years after her debut, she still examines new realms with grace, empathy and an explorer's spirit. --STEPHEN THOMPSON

Set List
"Luka"
"Crack In The Wall"
"I Never Wear White"
"Tom's Diner"

Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Denise DeBelius; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Denise DeBelius, Gabriella Garcia-Pardo, Olivia Merrion; photo by Meredith Rizzo/NPR
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She has a unique voice and sounds just like she did in 1987. And yes, I realize this video is 10 years old. But still.

davewhiting
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I love her quiet contemplative unassuming voice - we are missing this kind of voice in the 21st century

velvetclaw
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Gerry Leonard is really a guitar player's guitar player. His playing is as delicate, precise and evocative as a grand master violin soloist. Truly impressive.

Proutt
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Fun fact: Even Prince was so impressed by the song Luka that he wrote (in his own handwriting) a letter to Suzanne how he really appreciated the song.

torinoherrera
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She is a master storyteller. Her songs speak truth and come from the heart.

born
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Solitude Standing was one of the most perfect albums ever written. Suzanne Vega created the definitive soundtrack for 17-year-old introverts everywhere.

mlachaise
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her voice never changed.. its still beautiful and haunting Love her

RanetkiFan
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I cant believe this. One of the few singers who really kept their original voice. Amazing. Underated artist

tovarasulsecretargeneral
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Guitar player's light touch is formidable, the whole thing is a full and subtle sound.

anthonygill
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Thank you Suzanne. You're still a credit to decent music. Your sound carried me during the early 90's in Southern Lebanon, as bombs rained down on me.

Pantokrator
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She's so effing great, and old Gerry's bloody brilliant on that guitar.
Beyond superb.

andysaunders
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Almost a 30 year old tune and Suzanne still looks

sgtpep
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You can immediately notice that she writes her own songs. They talk about life and inner feelings.

jorgeluismeoli
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Dear Susanne, your song Luka has been in my head since the first time I heard it, it stuck to me all these years so I named my firstborn son Luca, born 6 Feb 2022. This song will be with me for the rest of my life. Love from South Africa.

woodenmonster
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no auto tune, effects, lights, fancy sound system.. just heaps of talent both of them. this is how it should be done kids.
thanks for the upload I appreciate this.

motooilermotooiler
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I played this video for a friend who did not know who she was. He said that he liked all of the songs on this video but once he reached the last song, he was like “oh my gosh! it’s her! she’s the one who sings that song I was looking for for years!”
And I smiled so happily. 😊

Bassotronics
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A great pleasure to hear and see her here! She sounds exactly the same! A wonderful musician, vocalist! I love her sound! 💕💕💕🎼🎼🎼🎶🎶🎼⭐️⭐️⭐️💎

kabernat
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30yrs ago, I introduced this song to the high school students in my English class. I met them last year at the reunion and they mentioned this song.
Thank you, Suzanne. You make me cry.

megumiyagihashi
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It never ceases to amaze me, the sounds you can get from a guitar when you know how touch it properly.

magikoflove
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99.9 degrees Fahrenheit is one of the greatest albums of all time but was criminally ignored by the press .

drbosommd