SOUNDTRACK: ANDERSON .PAAK & THE FREE NATIONALS-Tiny Desk Concert #558 (August 15, 2016).
I had heard so many great reviews of Anderson .Paak but I didn’t really like his album. But I love this Tiny Desk—there’s something great about this live set. First off, I love that he’s on the drums–and I love Paak’s drumming—all high hats and rim shots and total funk. Especially when he starts tapping with his fingers on the snare. And I really love the funky sound of the keys and the bass.
For this Tiny Desk, they reworked three cuts from Malibu,
Guitarist Jose Rios and bassist Kelsey Gonzalez inject a hard-rock edge into the Hi-Tek-produced “Come Down.” He opens this by saying, “This song is appropriate since its like a sauna in here right now.” (The opening lyrics are: Y’all niggers go t me hot.” It is fun and funky and a great opener. At the end, he asks the bassist: “What is that song about, Jose? Coming down off of what? Substances? That’s what you into?” “No. Naw.” “I like water myself.”
The second song “Heart Don’t Stand A Chance” features a lot of keyboards. It’s a slow, groovy song. Much more soulful than funky.
“Put Me Thru” is really funky. He says “This song is about Jose’s ex-girlfriend. She still your ex-right?” “Yea.” When it ends he jokes Tiny Desk, Big Heart.
Normally bands play 3 songs, but everyone is so into the set that they get to play one more. “What else y’all wanna play? Should we do requests?” Someone shouts, “Suede” And he shouts, “OH! I though this was a more cultured, mature…. So you all like being called bitches over here?” He cautions, “I talk a lotta shit on this song, is that okay?” We’ve never done this song like this. He asks Jose, “Go over the notes. You know the chords?” “It’s only a loop—only two chords.” They all laugh.
“Suede” is a super funky, pretty vulgar song. But .Paak is so charming, it’s hard to criticize. Especially at the end of the show when he says, “That actually my mom’s favorite song.”
[READ: September 5, 2016] “Let’s Go to the Videotape”
This was a fascinating story about a widow who submits a video of his child to Americas Funniest Home Videos. His son, Gus, was riding a bike for the first time. As he was going along, he hit a rock and flew over his handle bars into the bushes. His helmet pulled down over his eyes. Nick kept filming, seeing that he wasn’t hurt. And then Gus looked up and said “Daddy, am I okay?”
Nick sent the video to some friends and they all thought it was very funny.
The video had made it to the finals and they were in the studio watching the other finalists’ videos. And then it was their turn.
Gus was very uncomfortable–mostly because of his clothes but also because of the attention.
And then we flash back to how Gus’ mother was killed. Gus was unhappy in the car and she leaned back to comfort him. When they got into the car accident, Nick was hurt but Gus’ mother was killed.
Nick found himself coping with being a single father but he was really missing talking about Gus’ advances.
Nick’s video won the contest and that’s when things really got interesting. Nick’s inbox was full of congratulations and, soon enough, people who related to him as a single father began contacting him. He began fielding all kinds of emails and requests from men and women with advice, encouragement and fireside.
Nick was feeling good, but then Gus came home with a split lip–the kids in school weren’t as happy about his celebrity.
Nick planned to make a big case to the school about this but then Gus tells him that his teacher has encouraged all of the students to make their own movies–since Gus has become something of a celebrity–so they could all experience (sort of) what happened to Gus. Each child has made a short video about whatever they wanted.
And that’s when Gus gets to tell his own side of things–something Nick never expected. And his reaction says a lot about social media and parenting.
Although this story is kind of dark it was also really compelling. The ending was a surprise but also kind of made a weird sense.
I Just Read About That... 
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