Watkins Family Hour: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

September 15, 2015 by BOB BOILEN
The Watkins Family Hour began a dozen or so years ago as a way for a group of friends to get together and play old and new tunes. For Sean and Sara Watkins, it served as a monthly bit of magic: a musical variety show filled with extraordinary talent in the world of folk, bluegrass and beyond at L.A.'s famous Largo.

Now, the Watkins siblings — known for their work in Nickel Creek, among many other projects — have taken their fiddle, guitar and charm on a country-flavored yellow brick road, gathering friends and surprises along the way. For this tour and their Tiny Desk Concert, their biggest surprise is the addition of Fiona Apple as a guest vocalist who actually yowls along to songs like the traditional tune "In The Pines."

Watkins Family Hour is available now.

Set List
"Steal Your Heart Away" 00:00
"In The Pines" 04:05
"Hop High" 09:35

Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Morgan Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Walker, Ariel Zambelich; Assistant Producer: Rachel Horn; photo by Ariel Zambelich/NPR

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[KiraFORTHEWIN]

I love that Fiona just appeared from the floor like she was summoned

[willmclean]

fiona is just so frickin cool. i loved her little dancing in the back

[patti.boersma]

Fiona's social awkwardness is so endearing to who she is…I just LOVE her!

[surdazar]

I miss Fiona everyday of my life. Great to see her here. Still waiting for another solo record though... Had to say it.

[sillystrings]

The way Sara plays backup fiddle is amazing. Like obviously her solos are awesome but also her fills and the way she fades in and out of the texture and her general sense of phrasing...I've watched this video so many times just trying to imitate that. It's like the instrument is an extension of her voice, she just knows how to work it

[staliepop]

Where is Fiona's full tiny desk set? My heart aches.

[madlift]

I love every single moment here. Just a magical blend from Sean and Sara, plus the other musicians were killing it, and then Fiona Apple??? Couldn't get better!

[ruby-rvcj]

Sara's voice is seriously the best thing ever!!!!

[matthirn]

I keep coming back to this session. Not only does Tiny Desk do a great job recording, you would be hard pressed to find a higher quality mix of musical talent presenting an old-time song set with such nuanced perfection.

[mlbeaumont]

Great to see Benmont Tench playing in this company, its like my music worlds colliding, im in heaven.

[sumitkinger]

Always and always good to see Fiona.. Feels good to see you sing..

[jaynecobb]

This is what we call 'good'... just so we are all clear. This is what music can be when its done right.

[LarkVsOwl-deop]

Hats off to the sound guy...perfect mix

[rickenbacker]

I didn't realise I liked this type of music until now! That was kind of life affirming.

[aa]

For all the greatness in this video, don’t overlook Benmont Tench on the piano. The *legendary* keyboard player for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

[ThelastDJ]

When the set started I thought to myself that piano player sure looks like Benmont Tench but there's no way... When they introduced him I nearly fell out of my seat!

With an all-star cast and a fantastic set this has become one of my favorite Tiny Desks shows yet - keep up the great work!

[Hardbody]

Fiona Apple! I haven't heard of her in a while it's nice to see her around.

[SandraNevermind]

The piano-player is just . . . 😮. Wow.

[flakeyjay]

Amazing! Loved the enthusiasm from Fiona Apple and the power of Sarah's voice and Sean on guitar. Love them as Nickel Creek and other works.

[cristianobaruffaldi]

Nice to see Fiona Smile, allways in my heart😉