Smokey Robinson: Tiny Desk Concert

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Smokey Robinson: Tiny Desk Concert with tags npr, npr music, national public radio, live, performance, tiny desk, tiny desk concert, tony desk, tiny concert

Mitra I. Arthur | October 16, 2023

Legend is a word thrown around far too often. But if there was ever an artist the word "legend" applies to, it would be Smokey Robinson. The iconic songwriter, producer and vocalist was not only a key architect of the Motown sound, but also R&B and soul music as a whole. His uncanny ability to craft tender and catchy romantic tunes has served as a model for songwriters that followed in the decades since he began his career.

1981's "Being With You" opens the Tiny Desk to immediately alert us that, at 83 years young, his sweet and sensual falsetto is present and ready to dazzle. From there, he casually introduces one of his numerous hits with The Miracles, "The Tears Of A Clown," as "one I wrote with Stevie Wonder" to the audience's delight. Robinson's pen game is still strong as he presents two tracks from his new album, Gasms. His romantic lyricism is on display in "Beside You," and the sax solo from Brandon Wright in "If We Don't Have Each Other" is a particular standout in this performance. And when he closed with "Cruisin'," the audience was more than happy to lovingly participate in "cruising together."

SET LIST

"Being With You"

"The Tears Of A Clown"

"If We Don't Have Each Other"

"Beside You"

"Quiet Storm"

"Cruisin'"

MUSICIANS

Smokey Robinson: vocals

Lindsay Walker: vocals

Karrie Benoit-Morales: vocals

Brandon Wright: saxophone, flute