Benjamin Clementine: Tiny Desk Concert
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- Опубликовано: 17 апр 2016
- April 18, 2016 by BOB BOILEN • Right near the top of this performance, Benjamin Clementine looks toward the camera with an intense stare and sings, "Where I'm from, you see the rain / Before the rain even starts to rain." At that point, when I'm already hanging on every word, I feel like I'm witnessing an almost otherworldly presence - a visitor with wisdom to impart.
Clementine is a musician and poet who grew up in London and later moved to Paris, where as a teenager he slept on the streets at night and busked in the daylight hours. That's how he was "discovered," and in 2015, he released his first album, At Least For Now. There are intimate moments of revelation in this immersive, breathtaking performance, and his voice and piano both sound magnificent. I can't think of anyone quite like him.
At Least For Now is available for pre-order now:
iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/album/at-...
Amazon: www.amazon.com/At-Least-Now-Be...
Set List:
"Condolence"
"Gone"
"Adios"
Credits: Producers: Bob Boilen, Niki Walker; Audio Engineers: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Niki Walker, Kara Frame; Production Assistant: Jackson Sinnenberg; Photo: NPR.
For more Tiny Desk concerts, subscribe to our podcast: www.npr.org/podcasts/510292/ti... 
Видеоклипы
![Fred Again.. - Faisal (Envelops me) NPR Tiny Desk Concert [1h version]](/img/1.gif)
never heard of him..
will never forget him
dopemcee exactly my experience when i first heard his music
Do you still remember him?
You fool
Comments, summarized:
- He's Nina Simone reincarnated
- He sounds ancestral
- He would make a great Dracula
- He has huge cheekbones
- He has tiny ears
There, now you don't have to scroll down
😁🤣🤣🤣thank you
You ain’t fucking lying about his ears.
He is beautiful
long fingers
That is Nat King Cole!!!!!
He seems million years old. The soul that sings though him is deep. This is powerful. The energy is divine.
I agree 🤍👁️👣
Im sending my condolence to the 500+ people who disliked this.
Me too, so that's at least 1K of condoleances
His face and voice seem classic for some reason, he looks like he time travelled here from the 1950s or something.
i swear he's a descendant of chuck berry
31 Savage This man makes you want to find every Nat King Cole record ever made.
well that way of video shooting helps definitely...
31 Savage swear said the same
He reminds me of eartha kitt a lot.
request for a movie where benjamin clementine is a vampire who accidentally killed his lover a hundred years ago and he lives in an old abandoned church and plays these songs on a dusty piano
that made me chuckle!!!
He's already a phantom.
@@dengmadhel phantoms r white bro, haven't u seen Scooby Doo and shit like that?
Hahahaha that would be a dope movie.
It would be autobiographic.
I saw his performance in Rotterdam... had me crying on so many turns... And then some guy yelled that he should stop talking and play more music. I hate people! Guy got booed out of the hall, and Mr. Clementine explained that he shall never just play music on order, because thats what he did when he was on the streets, and now he is selling out venues. More tears.... I love this guy
Aye 😟❤❤
10:45 Ignorant people!
He’s like a painting
I ran into him performing a few times in the Paris metro and every time stopped and listened. I'd be late for work or meeting friends but it was always worth it. Everyone stared unblinking: it was surreal to see and hear such a performer for free and in such proximity with thousands of other people walking by not recognizing his amazing talents.
Lucky you :)
Thank you with so much, your first hand feeling experience of what comes across the technology here. Before his death, Charles Aznavour told people to find Clementine, it is him that hangs the beauty.
He started from the street barefoot with a jacket..hence he never changed despite making $5Billion!! He is not from this world!
Is he always there? Would be great to stop by.
@@elianahadassah1197 No this was years ago
he gives off such a... mythical presence i guess? he doesn't seem real.
eli the egg larger than life
I agree with ur comment
Your description is accurate
Nailed it! #unforgettable
breathtaking
I hope he returns to New York City for a concert
"I'm sending my condolence to fear, I'm sending my condolence to insecurity"
I thought this was going to be too weird and heady for my wife. She was on her phone starting to doze off at bedtime and at the last note of Condolences she says "That was brilliant." a phrase I don't think I've ever heard her use before.
He sang this line just as I read your comment … he’s just brilliant and mesmerizing
Just saw him in Dune and wondered why he looked so familiar... so I go digging into my liked youtube videos and after 10-15 minutes later... here he is. At first I thought I was wasting time with a meaningless search but after listening to this TDC a half a decade later, I'm sooo glad I did... forget how brilliant this performance was/is!
I keep coming back to this whenever I need my periodic dose of human brilliance.
Same
You are not alone my friend...
I've had this on repeat since I heard it for the first time yesterday. I tried to find the sheet music for it, but the music is so clear that I could play it by ear. Human brilliance indeed.
same here man
humans are brilliant when they forget to be
he is insanely beautiful in every possible way
I can't add to the praise Benjamin Clementine has received in this comment section, but want to thank him for taking my soul and molding it like putty. He's been medicine in times of need.
Its almost as if he's possessed, no need to look at the piano and the years in his language, his tone brings him back hundreds of years... Im mesmerized
These are not songs, they are deep theatrical acts.
ReneAlejo 21 indeed they are!
Exactly
hear hear!
Music can be deeply theatrical, but they're still songs. I, of course, know you didn't mean they're not songs. I am not sure why I'm writing. :P
@@raitisvein true
His cheek bones are phenomenal.
Lol!
EXACTLY the first thing I noticed! Lol
and a prety small ear.
are cheek bones a thing? lol damn
"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people."
If my kids ask me "Dad, what is music?" , I'll show them this video. Thank you Benjamin.
Dude! I just had the same exact thoughts... like this could be the definition of « Music »
I just listen to his voice, his talents& skill over & over
How can i use words to define what I hear; I can not
Far ahead of his time yet unable to fit the past. I csn not say words zo desccribevmy level of mesmerization Im escorted to when I hear him, watch him, emmerse my spirit in his spirit. I think"MyLord how deep within is he going". Will i meditate & pass out; how can I stand it. Old soul with a wise spirit spiritually inclined no doubt. Absolutely unthinkably smazing. He is TOUCHED as in Anoited for sure. Ehrre does his rnactments & sexpredsions come from.
My Lord😇
What did I just watch?!?!! This is the most unique thing in their entire history of Tiny Desk. Captivating. It leaves you astounded! Would be lovely to experience you live on stage 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦
I actually once saw him live in France. The entire audience was in complete shook. It was the most memorable concert in my life (forgive my english 😅)
@@vanessamandy1010 are you in France as we speak? I have a very dear friend there.
This Man is amazing!!! I wish to experience him live. 🥰
@@sebespringmusic yes I live here! I wish you will 😊
@@vanessamandy1010 I would like to be your friend if you dont mind 🥰 We can connect on Facebook or Instagram @sebespring
@@sebespringmusic sure!
He's fucking gorgeous and he plays with the blood. He sounds like he belongs in another time but I'm glad we get to have him.
This is so true. Too often we only appreciate the greats after they’re gone. We’re lucky to be in the same world as him
Can you believe this angel is only in his late 20s? What a soul.
Eden_D no
You mean his late 200’s, right? 😉 he must be a centuries-old magician to be that talented!! ✨❤️
NO! What? He is 400 years old in soul
sounds like he lived a hard life.
His piano work is truly neoclassical. That combined with the absolute depth, rasp, and warmness of his voice and the breaking-the-box rhythm of his words make for a extraordinary performance. Phenomenal musician.
adeline Perfect description! Well done...🎶
Yes! This is such an accurate description 💙
100% with you!
I have actually spent weeks begging people to listen to at least this performance of his.... The world NEEDS TO KNOW. At least I can share with the other amazed commenters
His music is so addictive' I don't undertand how there's stil a lot of people out there not knowing about the existence of his music.
He plays the piano like it's alive.
Seems like he just woke up and said "eff it, I'll sing whatever's on my mind". Mind blown.
with absolute sincerity
Ha! Just saw him in Seattle and that's pretty much exactly what he does. We got a great song about the Brexit.
Phil Kimonge yes, indeed
Yes...probably something all schizophrenics should do ... if they stopped holding back, what music might we hear??????
He has the same presence as Nat King Cole....very mellow and enchanting. He performs like Nina Simone....as though a theater troupe is behind him acting out scenes to a play he's written. Beautifully performed. This is the first I'm hearing of him. Now excuse me whilst I take to the web and search other performances.
My favorite song of his is I won’t complain 💯
I surprised myself when the tears started flowing at the start of this performance and when I finally caught my breathe at the end of the first song! This man is OTHERWORLDLY! My God!!
this theatrical voice and dark soul is the perfect combination of a great poet.
this is amazingly incredible!!!
if christopher walken and nina simone had a child i imagine he would sound like benjamin clemintine
I think his parents are Nina Simone and Anohni (Antony and the Johnsons)!
OMG YES and a little of that Grace Jones wit
Yeah, you nailed it.
Nialena A. I bet you’ve never been righter about anything else in life than you are about your description of this man 😂
Rolling on the ground with an eternal LOL :D Thank you for hilarious comment Nialena!
He is out of his time, and ahead of his time at the same time. So classic and unusual. Like an ancient soul participating in a model's body, expressing all the cool talents he has acquired over the centuries.
I knew it, as soon as i see him in Dune, i knew i was him, Benjamin. After years of hear him here for the first time. I hope more people can hear him now
So natural and I love the way he always looks like he's about to say something extremely important and he's very reserved, but charming.
He also must be extremely tall
This is Nina Simone reincarnated. The tortured, and heavy spirit of their craft is so iconic. The world wasn't ready for Nina, and I'm not sure their completely ready for Benjamin Clementine. As Erykah Badu would say, "I guess I'll see you next lifetime."
Guao!!!! Before reading your comment, I thought the same.This guy is the reincarnation of Nina
Kesan Nedd What an overstatement! There will never be another Nina Simone. She was a complete package. Though I am biased because I love Ms Nina Simone.
Kesan Nedd woah 👏🏻
Nina Simone died much after this guy was born. It doesnt even make sense from the very beginning.
He's more of a mix between Nina and Fela kuti...
“I’m sending my condolence to fear...sending my condolence to insecurity...” When I heard these lines. It hit me and instantaneously brought tears to my soul. Rise up✨✨✨
This is the most beautiful thing in the internet right now.
Especially when he says "it's called- what's it called? It's called, gone" I imagine that he is completely improvising this concert... if only.
He's singing stories of now-only moments. Feels like spirituals of XXI century.
the saddest vampire...
fitrep right at the 15:20 mark. LMAO. But the dude is incredibly distinct!
Oh yeah, with out question. Its incredible music.
I'm definitely getting those Phantom of the Opera vibes. Like he's lived his life in his music and wants to show everyone what he's seen, even though a lot of it was bad. Angel of music!
fitrep nice!
Benjamin is GORGEOUS 😍💜 Great TALENT 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💜💖❤️💚🌹🌹
I truly believe angels did visit him on the streets and sung to him. He is unworldly. Protect him at all cost!
I watch NPR tiny desc concerts to see people pour their entire being into music. It just feels like seeing something true and honest no matter what the message is.
if this guy would wait for you at the hell's gates singing you won't even be mad
iojDRE hahahahha!!! id be like "Uhhh....ok. I guess this is where we belong".
I JUST DIED LAUGHING !LOLOLOL
LMAO
OMG I just laughed so hard I startled myself! You are a fool for this comment!
I'll be terrified
I wasn't ready for this...
me neither. now I'm in shock.
who could've been. he was not foreseen but is such a gift...
This world isn't ready for Benjamin.
I saw him last night live, opening for David Byrne. See him live!
Me either...and I'm not sure how I feel
benjamin clementine thank you for existing. you are brilliant
"The decision is mine, let the lesson be mine. The vision is mine". Adiós.
This left me kinda stunned. It's eerily beautiful, strangely brilliant and modestly fantastic.
I love the way you summed that up! I have no idea how I got onto his song (youtube rabbit holes are mind boggling) but I am really glad I did. That first song “Condolence” gave me the shivers. It was eerily beautiful wasn’t it! I think how stripped down it sounded with only his voice and the simple and powerful piano accompaniment really made the song so arresting.
There is something ancestral about his voice and his spirit.
Ancestral is the perfect word!
Couldn’t agree more
@@qwerttyio q SS qq QQ QQ así aa
I hear Nina Simone among others...
YES.
I feel like it's an injustice trying to compare him to someone else. He is just... Himself
and that might just be the greatest justice
ALINE FICO DE BOCA ABERTA DE VÊ ESSA LINDA VOZ. RIO DE JANEIRO 27-01-2021 BEIJO AMIGA
@@esdraspires5542 Saudações Esdras,
Muito poderosa a voz dele.
Abraços de Moçambique.
muito obrigado amiga. moro no rio de janeiro, beijo
This isn't just a performance, but an unforgettable experience.
I thought to myself. Oh, this is how it ends. But then the music stopped, I opened my eyes and I'm still here.
The part when the angels sing to him and he doesn´t understand them is full of mysticism, full of a subtle beauty.
Realness is what people are seeing in him. So many are sedated and used to the hypnosis of fakeness. This man is so powerful! my soul trembles! his voice!
This just made me feel something I can't describe
Same here. But something good !!!
Ed Saunders spirit indiscriminate.
I hadn't heard something so real in a long time. Il est trop fort !
Melancholy yet hopeful
NO DOUBT ~ EdSaunders
This is completely unrestrained genius.
Agreed. For raw musical talent, looking only at that, this guy is the top of NPR Tiny Desk for 2016, no contest. Maybe top 5 or 10 for all NPR Tiny Desk, again based just on raw musical talent. This guy is unbelievable. Whether or not you like the style, I am just talking talent/musical ability.
yes it really is.
yes and heart
Isn't it though? Transcends our little worlds, and exalts it at the same time.
Perfectly stated.
I'd like to hear him sing an Edgar Allan Poe poem for some dark strange reason.. His whole being is mystical and he is gorgeous to look at.
His eyes and sad smiles, his caresses on the piano keys, the vibrato of his voice all brings tears to my face
He possesses a very special musical soul of his own....just like Nina Simone had.
And like Richard Bona too.
Yes!
+Rineke RobertsonvanDam he reminds me of Nina as well.
and jacques brel and shirley bassey and kurt weil... GENIUS in a word.
+TheHappynstuff.... Richard Bona doesn't reach to your soul and scare you. His music is soothing. Clementine and Simone music and style of singing haunts you.
Some people may like his style, and some people may not. But everyone with any kind of ear for music has to admit, this guy's talent level is through the roof. I am stunned, and I rarely like the stuff on here even though I listen to it all.
I’ve never liked any of it
Wow. 1st time checking this cat out. His stage presence is like a combination of theatrics and dramatic musical composition. Minimalistic, impactful beautiful piano playing. Fantastic. I'm blown away.
Seeing his utterly enthralling performance as the Herald of the Change in Dune brought me here. It's not right how multitalented this man is!
The sheer musicality of his delivery as Herald was striking. Somebody needs to update the Sardaukar rave meme with the Herald's voice.
Magical to see him in Dune.
I think he'd make an amazing Dracula.
I'll take anything with this much character (even tho it's not exactly my taste) over what I'm usually served by the radio. Very nice to feel how it just takes you off.
truth
Its like a dramatic stage play. Its very entrancing. His presence is very theatrical.
Dude killed it in Dune!
There are genius singers, there are genius pianists and there are genius performers.
However, a combination of these three is seldom.
You ever heard s piano performance before in your life?
True... he is the combination of all three....
True Artist
genius pianist? are you joking? this man can barely play. but i love to listen to him anyway.
Starving Artist Movers what do you mean he can “barely play?” He just sounds like a self taught guy who learned to accompany his voice. He’s not a great player, but he doesn’t have to be
what is this? the moment he opened his mouth I instantly fell in love with his magical tunes, I am so enchanted!!!
Me tooooooooo
Why are you, people, mocking his appearance? He is brilliant and solo ..it takes guts to be solo.
I can't handle this right now. I'm coming back later when i'm more mature and ready! Maybe Monday :-)
lol..the funniest comment so far
Looool
Come back already! It's been more than a year 😂
rieslerriesler NOoooo! I’m still too fragile for this 😂😭
😂😂
I feel like I just witnessed something of which mortals should not be aware. A fairy creature who tumbled out of the ether. He is pure magic.
sorry to say, but i listen to this particular performance every time in my car.. and the part where he does the "sounds from the angels" on the last song is really something out of this world.. it is so real.... and i blv there's something to it.. honestly this guy is unusual.. he encourages me.. my condolence to my fear.. bless you Benjamin clementine
Don Sylvester u have nothing to be sorry about for sharing this, dont be!
I'm crying and I don't know why. This is just amazing.
Freakishly awesome. Love from Iran
This man will become one of the greats if he avoid the recording industry politics. He's that talented.
+Bison4Life He already is one of the greats... He seems otherworldly to me...He seems to live in another realm altogether..
This type of brilliance just makes you feel emotional. Humanity...so promising, so beautiful.
Shoutout to everyone who came back here after watching Dune
Dune gang!
This man's talent is just brutal.
It took 30 seconds for me to start crying..... His voice captures my soul... and his eyes...God.
This dude is like nothing I'm use to hearing....what an amazing performance
I was transfixed by this, like I had just experienced an entire opera. Shame on you, Mr. Clementine, for making me cry so late at night. What a masterpiece this man is. 💜
Benjamin Clementine reminds me so much of Nina Simone
+Rohan Wicks
More like Christopher Walken than Nina Simone
But I like him.
I text my sis that... male Nina!
I thought the same thing! similar vibes for sure!!
Rohan Wicks
I closed my eyes and asked myself, who does this brother sound like......
Cheers folks 🕺🏾
Nina Simone meets Scott Walker's baritone and Christopher Walken's cheekbones.
DEM CHEEKBONES SON DAAAAMN
Man's got elbows on his face. Facebows!
INSPIRITM beautiful
Cheeks on fleek!! 💯💯💯😍
INSPIRITM he has model cheek bones and I love it
Thank you NPR for bringing real artists to us.
Did anyone else get waves of chills with each word?
Still - each time i watch and listen, chills, a tear or twenty. Simply sublime he is.
I kept finding myself grinning at his mischievous wisdom, he appears as a true citizen of the world and a gifted teacher :)
Agreed!
i was smiling similarly as i scrolled to this comment haha
Very much so.
Me too XD The thought I keep having is that Benjamin Clementine is the weirdest weirdo I have ever listened to and I feel EVERYTHING HE DOES XDDD I can't stop grinning and also feeling confused...
Harley Cullen fo
it's music like this that keeps me alive
found a new mission: see this incredible performer live
How beautiful is he
God damn, he's not only a musician, he like someone said, is possesed by his music and act like one. Im discovering him after the Gorillaz event and I also notice him singing barefoot in a video. London I guess. He's like older inside. He also has the right amount of art in the blood that drives people crazy in after the fortys, so, enjoy him, and take care of him.
We lost Bowie and we lost Prince.... I've been searching ever since.... I think I've finally found what I was looking for.
If one ever doubted that angels exist...
i had to come back to this after seeing him iin dune, such a strange connection
If I had but a cup of his talent I would have chosen a different path in life. Nothing about BenJamin Clementine is common. Nothing. How does such creativity go unnoticed? Yes this is just "music" but it is also something much much more powerful - Is it poetry; is it theater; story telling? What ever it is this performance is unique, original and performed which such passion you can't help but be amazed.
If Alice Smith, Laura Mvula, Lianna La Havas, Micheal Kiwanuka and Benjamin Clementine represent what musically awaits the
industry then i can not wait.
include Lalah ☺️
He plays with the frequencies of the soul. The truth is in his heart.
His vibrato is absolutely amazing
The first song makes me feel such deep emotions. It makes me see how long was this journey, the one of pain, insecurity, anxiety since you left me. How long it was and how I 've overcome it, with my favorite friend called Time, the healer. How long it was... and doesn't matter anymore.
Voice like Nina Simone, sound like Anthony and the Johnsons, piano like early Regina Spektor. Phenomenal.
Oet I was just thinking about the Regina Spektor playing style....
Oet nice
@@jeanettedesenclos27 me too!!!!
Wow. What the hell just happened to me?! No more than a moment in this man just evoked such unwarranted emotion from me before I could even really react to it.
Question: if he was an angel walking through your neighborhood, would he be treated as your neighbor?
Lembro o exato momento q assisti esse vídeo pela primeira vez. Lembro da sensação q a voz desse bendito homem provou em mim. Como uma eterna admiradora de potências vocais, Benjamim JAMAIS passaria desapercebido por meus ouvidos.. era um dia frio, onde eu carreguei todo peso de existir calada sem trocar uma única palavra com ninguém, foi um dia de condolência para comigo. Eu simplesmente desabei quando ouvi esse anjo ecoar no meu fone de ouvido.
Toda a arte pulsante nessa tão bela e emocionante apresentação, deveria ser um tanto mainstream. Porém, tão fatídico é o declínio do ser humano e da sociedade, que essa forma, reitero, tão bela de arte, soa como excepcional! É lamentável! Após tantos e tantos anos de maturação, nosso planeta não reconhecer tal talento como uma sublimação de ser, de arte, de evolução, de conhecimento, de educação, de inclusão. É lastimável que enxerguemos esta maravilhosa luz num contexto de trevas! 😢
I don't know what the eff u said - but i agree.
I come back to this over & over. I've never been more curious or wanted to know someone intimately more than this man.
00:00 - Condolence
05:42 - Gone
10:45 - Adios
I do not know how to describe this video, a single word cannot do it, watching his face is hypnotic, his music is haunting, his voice amazing. I welled up inside I did :-)