Shakti: Tiny Desk Concert

Felix Contreras | October 30, 2023
It's hard to get past the significance of this performance by the Indian jazz fusion band, Shakti. Initially formed in 1973 by jazz guitarist John McLaughlin with virtuoso traditional Indian musicians, the band opened the doors for others to expand their musical appreciation beyond Western music. 50 years later, as guitarist McLaughlin reunites with tabla player Zakir Hussain to take Shakti on another world tour, the group stopped by for a magically inspiring performance behind the Tiny Desk.

"Shrini's Dream" sets the stage with both melodic and rhythm instruments, before vocalist Shankar Mahadevan, violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan and McLaughlin each take turns calling out to the muse for inspiration. The entire set is a drummer's dream given Hussain is considered a master tabla player both within and outside the tradition.

Shakti's music has always been built around complex traditional rhythms and they are on full display with Hussain and Selvaganesh Vinayakaram. The band was born in the aftermath of McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra and "Lotus Feet" channels that band's hypnotic exploration of time and melody, while the aptly titled "Bending the Rules" mixes Indian traditions and the custom of jazz musicians trading licks back and forth, bringing this historic moment to an energetic close.

SET LIST
"Shrini's Dream"
"Lotus Feet"
"Bending the Rules"

MUSICIANS
John McLaughlin: guitar
Zakir Hussain: tabla
Selvaganesh Vinayakaram: kanjira, ghatam
Shankar Mahadevan: vocals
Ganesh Rajagopalan: violin

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Felix Contreras
Director/Editor: Kara Frame
Audio Engineer: Neil Tevault
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Kara Frame, Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Audio Assistant: Josephine Nyounai
Photographer: Keren Carrión
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Josh Rogosin, Hazel Cills
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#shakti #nprmusic #tinydesk

[bikashtangha]

NPR just casually dropped one of their most wildest concerts. I cannot even fathom half of the talent I am being shown on this screen.

[MedlifeCrisis]

So many legends playing together! Magical. McLaughlin and Hussain are true giants of music.

[thanos]

This ‘Tiny Desk’ series is one of the greatest things to happen in recent music history. The audio work is always great. It’s like we’re in the studio with them.

[venkatanujd]

"Lotus Feet" is so transcendental. It brought tears to my eyes. Truly other-worldly.

[KhmoshR]

For those who don’t know.. the Tabla drum player on the left is Ustaad Zakir Hussain the greatest (not one of the greatest) THE Greatest Tabla player past and present. His work is mesmerising..

[Tiubel]

0:00 Shrini's Dreams
8:54 Lotus Feet
13:25 Bending the Rules

[brainiac]

This is one of the wildest fusion combos folks. You have the violin and mridangam players from a Carnatic music background. You have the vocals from a mixed Carnatic and Hindustani tradition (person who also drops Bollywood pop bangers on the regular), with a Hindustani tabla legend. And then McLaughlin with the western jazz infusion. And NOTHING sounds out of place.

[ralphnsanders]

I experienced Mahavishnu Orchestra live when I was 21. I'm 72 now and had the best musical experience of my life seeing Shakti in Portland earlier this year. Thanks Tiny Desk. Superb.

[Aamo]

I don't know why, but I always come back to this video if I'm having a hard time, it just has this magical ability to either let me cry when I'm holding back my sadness, or make me smile ear to ear and forget the pain. I've easily watched this video more than 30 times, and I know I'll always keep coming back.

[takaotsu]

Wow! My mind is blown. I’ve been listening to Shakti for 30 years and they are on Tiny Desk! These are the OGs of fusion jazz. True pioneers.

[Rachs-jmqz]

I saw Mahavishnu Orchestra live in Philadelphia at thr Academy of music when I was thirteen in 1968 - it changed my life for the better. Now I am 68 and I get to see and hear this Shakti tiny desk performance - what a world!

[MemoSelf]

What really struck me was how COMPOSED a lot of this is. It sounds like improvisation and then someone else joins in, and then someone else, and then someone ELSE - and jeez loueez, they know it by HEART! This was just glorious.

[TimDicksonMusic]

Shakti is like being wrapped in musical Joy.

[RonanSkillen]

Shakti is the one band that has been with me the longest, continues to inspire and give me hope for this planet. The fact that John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain even met at all, invented a whole genre of music and continue to play together, 50 years later, is as mystically awesome as music itself. What a treat this is. Thank you NPR 🙏🏽

[nandanpandit]

The one and only Ustad ji Zakir Hussain, the incomparable Shankar Mahadevan and John McLaughlin just casually sitting and jamming. Simply mind-blowing.

[qb]

Woaw. Didn't expect Shankar Mahadevan on Tiny Desk Concert. He's one of the most versatile singers of India 🇮🇳

[Hagjerp]

I hope the live audience realize how big this is. World maestros/ world class musicians sitting together and performing in Tiny Desk! Simply amazing and brilliant.

[abhiramis]

7:24-8:00 is transcendentally beautiful. all of the 570k views is me!!

[joshriley]

The sheer joy of these amazing musicians even outweighs their virtuosity - this incarnation is as relevant and fresh as it was decades ago.

[joebloe]

It's crazy how complex yet melodic these 5 masters are effortlessly playing here! blessed.