James Blake | NPR MUSIC FRONT ROW

Показать описание

Each time I see James Blake and his band perform, I feel the extreme rush of hearing something for the very first time. The sound is sharp and visceral; it oddly vibrates the hair on my arms and, at moments of extreme bass, gets me feeling claustrophobic before the inevitable release when Blake sings. It's hopeful, mournful, always thoughtful.

These days, Blake seems to be in love, and the songs from his new album Overgrown reflect that emotional dance. As with love, the music isn't simple, isn't predictable and isn't always easy to comprehend, but it's intense and riveting. This concert took place on a Sunday night at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., and the relatively quiet crowd could have been mistaken for uncaring or laid-back. But as I walked around the room catching the faces of so many, it was clearly an intensely attentive audience.

On keyboards and voice, Blake performs alongside an innovative and intriguing drummer in Ben Assiter, as well as Rob McAndrews on keyboards, guitars that don't always sound like guitars, and the all-encompassing bass sound he generates using bass pedals — meant for the feet but played with his hands. This is 90 minutes of some of the most breathtaking music I've heard and seen all year. I'm so glad we captured the moment. --BOB BOILEN

SETLIST
Air & Lack Thereof - 0:00
I Never Learnt To Share - 3:40
To The Last - 9:40
Lindisfarne - 14:44
I Am Sold - 20:22
CMYK - 26:10
Our Love Comes Back - 31:07
Digital Lion - 36:00
Unluck - 41:27
Limit To Your Love - 45:30
Klavierwerke - 54:23
Overgrown - 1:01:03
Voyeur - 1:06:40
Retrograde - 1:14:10
The Wilhelm Scream - 1:21:15
A Case Of You - 1:27:30

Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Robin Hilton; Editor: Denise DeBelius; Audio Engineering: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Christopher Parks, Gabriella Garcia-Pardo, Maggie Starbard; Special Thanks: The 9:30 Club; Executive Producers: Anya Grundmann, Keith Jenkins

Рекомендации по теме

Комментарии

Thank you so much for making and recording this music that we can STILL listen to in 2025

TomHoward-kp

I was there, fans were awesome, quiet at the right moments. You literally have no control of your emotions, any outburst was involuntary. It was that good.

chef_vicky

I remember watching this exact video for the first time a couple years ago and thinking to myself that I absolutely have to see this guy live. And I did just that last December. At 20 years old it was my first concert ever. It was one of the single most incredible experiences of my life. It's one thing to listen to James Blake in the confines of your bedroom, but to listen to him live was like listening to his music for the first time all over again. Incredible vocalist. Incredible talent. Rob and Ben are unmatched as well.

plahnt

For the mobile squad:
Air & Lack Thereof - 0:00 I Never Learnt To Share - 3:40 To The Last - 9:40 Lindisfarne - 14:44 I Am Sold - 20:22 CMYK - 26:10 Our Love Comes Back - 31:07 Digital Lion - 36:00 Unluck - 41:27 Limit To Your Love - 45:30 Klavierwerke - 54:23 Overgrown - 1:01:03 Voyeur - 1:06:40 Retrograde - 1:14:10 The Wilhelm Scream - 1:21:15 A Case Of You - 1:27:30

lukeberrie

It's difficult for me to comprehend how much of an underrated musician James Blake is. He's an incredible talent.

felichagomez

God bless you to heaven NPR. Thank you to 1-800 Dino and NPR for making this recording happen. I watch it about once a month.

GarrettWatts

Every time I listen to James Blake I get emotional, his music evokes such an uncontrollable response from me.

SirMTB

the most lit concert ive seen where the artist sits the whole time. if thats not power idk what is

slitslit

This was super beautiful...it's 2024 and I'm still listening to this live performance

em.michael

Watching this in 2021 during the pandemic. Oh my god, what a feeling that would be standing in that crowd and enjoying James Blake live. Was at a concert in 2016, pure joy.

melanierieger

It's so funny when they play "I never learnt to share" and the audience reaction gets looped. The first time I thought "whooa they're freaking out every fucking time".

MrPaoloFelice

"Retrograde" just does something to you. Can't help but feel chills when I hear it... even after so many listens

youwillovercome

The performance of 'I Never Learnt to Share' (in the first 10 minutes) is one of the best performances of that song that I've seen by James Blake.

Progrssn

I think, James Blake is one of the best musicians of our time

ЄвгеніяДудченко

I remember seeing James Blake for the first time ever on this video in 2014 thinking that he's gotta make it big. Now he is. So happy for him. He's very talented and a wonderful breath of fresh air to the music available these days.

pochavilla