SOUNDTRACK: YOLA-Tiny Desk Concert #934 (January 17, 2020).
Yola was just nominated for a Grammy for best new artist. And it does seem like she just came out of nowhere. But she has been making music for a least a decade (with the band Phantom Limb) and was singing backing vocals for bands like Massive Attack before that. She finally went on her own a few years ago and then released her Dan Auerbach-produced debut album last year.
This Tiny Desk features Yola singing three songs from that debut album and wow, what a voice she has.
With her bouncy Afro and a big smile, Yola’s presence behind the Tiny Desk was commanding, her energy captivating and, oh, that voice!
I had the exact same reaction as Bob Boilen:
I assumed her background was as a southern gospel singer, until she spoke. Her British accent was a shocker.
She’s very funny between songs as she chugs water and then jokes how she puts it here and it comes out here (on her forehead).
The first song “Faraway Look” is slow and soulful with a pretty piano melody (from Daniel Creamer) and great backing vocals from everyone. But it’s Yola’s lead–her powerful screams, her belting lines, that just makes the song.
Yola’s affection for American music, from Dolly Parton to Aretha Franklin, is at the center of her character and expression. It’s likely one of the reasons she chose to write and record her debut album, Walk Through Fire, at Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound Studio in Nashville, and why it was such a perfect fit for her.
The second song, “”I Don’t Wanna Lie” is a “newie” and it is my favorite song of hers. I absolutely love the chorus–so catchy and powerful. It’s a shame it’s only on the deluxe version of her album. Instead of piano, the keys are a great organ sound and the main riff on bass (from Taylor Zachry) and the great guitar licks (from Andy Stack) make this song a great soulful rocker.
For the last song, “It Ain’t Easier,” she picks up the acoustic guitar and is accompanied by slow guitar lines and that cool organ sound. Drummer Jamie Dick is using brushes to emphasize the gentleness of this song.
I’m not sure what it takes to get someone to go from backing and guest vocalist to making a way for herself.
Now this singer from Bristol, who once sang for Massive Attack, and sampled by Iggy Azalea and The Chemical Brothers, is front-and-center.
But it was a great decision.
[READ: January 23, 2020] Giant Days Vol. 8
In this book, friendships are fractured and the future of our trip is in doubt!
As Chapter 29 opens we see Esther looking fabulously academic as she heads to her Romantic Lit class. She is the star of the class and always has the right answer. Until today. McGraw’s ex-girlfriend Emilia has just started taking the class and as Esther rants “It’s not fair to sing that good, look that good, and think that good.”
Meanwhile Ed Gemmell is trying out a new look–overalls and a braid and, boy howdy, Daisy does not like it. She asks, “Are you ‘fine’ because you joined a cult and they’taken away your pain?” He says he’s tried so many things but girls are not interested in him. Daisy sets him up with her friend Kathy with whom he should have lots in common. She’s geeky and sexy! But when she tries to move things forward he demurs. Daisy is furious, “she could not have been any more your type if she’d been the result of a lab experiment to create the perfect Gemmell mate in one of those nightmare sci-fi shows you both like so well.”
The Esther/Emilia issue resolves itself at a literature professor’s soiree. When one of the teachers gets handsy with Esther. It is Emilia who is there to help her out. (more…)
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I have now seen The Flaming Lips eight times. Even when they play many of the same songs a lot, it’s always a fun and joy-filled experience.
I Just Read About That... 