Today, NPR Music has released a brand-new edition of their Tiny Desk Concerts, inviting the wild and wonderful Erykah Badu to join them in the office. Badu’s performance marks NPR’s second Tiny Desk release of the week, following Monday’s installation with Tower of Power.
With Erykah Badu on lead vocals, the mesmerizing songstress was joined by keyboardist RC Williams, bassist Braylon Lacy, drummer Cleon Edwards, percussionist Frank Moka, saxophonist Kenneth Whalum, trumpeter Keyon Harrold, and flautist Dwayne Kerr.
After introducing herself and her collaborators, Badu and company performed a tantalizing rendition of “Rimshot”, a tune off her 1997 debut album, Baduizm. One of Badu’s most beloved hits, the group’s take on “Rimshot” served as a warm-up for the group ahead of a sprawling rendition of “Green Eyes”, off 2000’s Mama’s Gun. During the powerful performance, Erykah Badu’s band showed off their jazz proclivities, stretching out the spiritually infused, dramatic performance. Gracefully transitioning through styles and tones, “Green Eyes” made up the bulk of Badu’s performance, ringing in at over eleven minutes.
You can check out Erykah Badu’s captivating performance on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert below, courtesy of NPR.
Erykah Badu – NPR Tiny Desk Concert
[Video: NPR Music]