The Civil Wars: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 26 июн 2011
- Watch Joy Williams and John Paul White's swooning chemistry and stirring harmonies at the NPR Music offices.
Set List:
"Barton Hollow"
"Twenty Years"
"Poison & Wine"
For more videos and to subscribe to the Tiny Desk Concerts podcast, visit NPR.org/tinydeskconcerts 
Видеоклипы
It’s like rewatching your divorced parents’ wedding video.
Oh that's heartbreaking. So much chemistry. I would have liked to see more from them.
Yep:( except this hurts more
What a shame
Omg this! You win!
What a great analogy.
No ex ever broke my heart like their split did. Still grieving.
So am I!
Well said!
Same 😢
💔🎯
I mourn their demise as much as ‘The Sundays’.
The musical chemistry between these two is something artists only ever dream of finding once in a lifetime.
I was convinced they were a couple !!
Truly incomparable. They are the definition of mesmerizing.
I almost wish they’d have left their spouses, run off together, and continued making music…
@@user-ln9zo2ji4dwell joy divorced hers. So..maybe an indication of what happened to create all this tension.
Absolutely yes!!!
God, I miss the Civil Wars.
Me tooo
Does anyone know the real reason for the split??
@@kenjohhson613 I think there were creative differences, and Joy said that problems were coming up in her marriage where the Civil Wars was coming first before her husband. People also began to speculate that Joy and John were having an affair (which wasn't true at all), so they decided to break off the band. That's all I know to my knowledge--the only people who really know are Joy and John
Blake B stupid husband
@@MozTroniquz1 It's easy to blame someone like that but in all honesty, would you feel comfortable watching your wife or husband perform day after day the way John Paul and Joy did? Bear in mind that there is a lot of creative process we don't get to see, a lot of personal time for Joy and John Paul, from which they come out with lyrics like 'I don't love you but I always will'... I personally empathise with their partners and can imagine that this must have put a strain on their relationships. The Civil Wars made magical music, that's true, but would you want your other half to have this sort of connection with someone else?! Of course, not... I mean, these two were just starting their careers, they were winning Grammys for goodness sake, and then bam! A split. Not on speaking terms for 8 years already. This breakup was definitely emotion-based. It wasn't about 'professional creative differences'.
i've never heard a duet with better harmonies than these two. it's a shame they aren't making music anymore.
+Mina May Couldn't agree more... they had such magic together.
+Mina May Damien Rice + Lisa Hannigan...
+Mina May sam palladio clare bowen do the civil wars songs justice but your right there was something super special here
+Mina May Then you may have never listened to First Aid Kit or Simon & Garfunkel. Try 'em. :D
+Mina May well said ! they are Unreal
When these two sing, there are always two melodies. Neither is backing the other up. So brilliant
Yeah you're absolutely right. But it makes it hard to sing by myself somehow. You have to kind of switch back and forth between each of their melodies to make it sound right
They have (had) a once in a lifetime chemistry. They are deeply missed... the subtle inflections, the perfect mirroring harmonies are simply divine!
They've split now, but the world will always have Poison & Wine and Barton Hollow -- incredible songs and harmonies. That's a better legacy than plenty of bands.
and "Girl with the Red Balloon"
... plus “Falling” and their collab song with Taylor Swift “Safe and Sound”
I still remember the first time I heard Poison & Wine. Its always fun finding that song that makes you stop and excitedly ask WHAT WAS THAT.
And “Dance Me To The End of Love”
... and Dust to Dust
It's painfully beautiful to watch these two sing together.
Their voices were made for each other.
The Civil Wars were the clearest example of the whole being greater that the sum of its parts.
Just came back and watched this Tiny Desk Concert again. John Paul and Joy were pure magic for a short time in music history, sad that their friendship failed them.
I feel like these two embodied some sort of a fantasy for all of us... Personality-wise, they are like two opposite poles, which created an indescribable presence and vibe on stage. It looked like the love stories in comedies - two people who almost can't stand one another, who argue, who tease one another, but once the creative part begins, they become soulmates. What truly adds mystery to their band is that thematically most of their music is either about unrequited love, or impossible love. So understandably it's hard to interpret the songs without connecting the interpretations to them personally.
However, I tend to believe that nothing romantic happened between John Paul and Joy but the intense connection and just as intense disagreements they used to have put a lot of weight on their personal family lives. I even think that these unfulfilled, unmanifested feelings both might have had are what made them get into such a creative conflict that apparently cannot be resolved even after 8 years. There is simply no way that two people that worked this closely would stop communicating altogether just because they wanted to do different things with their band or careers.
Imbra Kim Her husband told her quit the band or get a divorce
In one of Joy's songs that she put out on her own, she more or less hinted that he made a move on her. So yeah, something was definitely going on.
@@Kayabc which song are you talking about?
@@lowellcalavera6045 Pity she didn't tell him to ****** off then.
@@lowellcalavera6045 Source? Her husband was their band manager and was on the road with them so I don't think that happened. It feels more likely that JP was feeling strain in his marriage since his wife couldn't travel with them, she was basically dealing with the stress of being a single mom, and he was missing out on his kids' growing up too.
almost half way to the 20 years they promised us.
I always thought it was funny that his name is John Paul White... he looks like Johnny Depp and Jack White had a child together and named it Paul.
Throw in Paul McCartney's songwriting skills...
Dylan Bailey truth. if men could have babies
Dylan Bailey I
@@kaComposer, Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul, & Mary) as well as Paul McCartney, for his vocal abilities, especially with ballads.
"I don't love you" (that's what we tell everyone), "but I always will" (how I truly feel).
I’ll never get over the fact they didn’t spend the last decade making more beautiful music for us 😢
Had to revisit them... there's no possible way they weren't madly in love with each other.. the way she looks at him...incredible. whatever it was.. it led them to create such beautiful music together.
I love how at the end of Poison and Wine they kind of realize that they're not alone. It's the cutest thing ^-^
the harmonies, the chemistry, the coordination..its amost too good to be true. Amazing.
I can't get over how beautifully their voices blend.. They are gorgeous.
I miss them SO freaking much 😭😭 my mind is blown looking at the date of this video. I can't believe it's been well over a decade! 🤯
I know man it hurts😭 they were my entire teen years
Wow, we really miss these guys. Such great and powerful music with no need for huge production. Just skill, feeling and amazing talent! ❤❤❤
Really hoping they'll be like the Eagles who said they'd get back together when hell froze over...and then 15 or so years later put out an album called "Hell Freezes Over." It's a pipe dream, but it's all we have now, I guess.
I met John Paul in person last weekend at a Music festival and when I asked him if there was ever a slight possibility of them getting back together he politely yet powerfully said “No” while shaking his head.
@@theycallmekris169sadness🥲 also I met JP in LA when he released Beulah, was honestly the best concert I’ve been to because of how intimate it was, I was like 5ft from him, and he stayed after the show and we got to talk for a bit. Just wish I could’ve seen them together
These two had a magical musical synergy that doesn't often happen. I suspect their respective spouses also bore witness to what they had, and were less than enthusiastic. I sincerely hope that time will heal tough wounds, and that Joy and John Paul will collaborate again and share their musical gifts with the rest of us. Much love and blessings for the new year.
Aw. Joy Williams and Johnny Depp make such a great team.
I thought it was stoya. 😂😂😂
Anyone realise how much their dynamic changes when they sing poison and wine
Yep... not here but even more obvious on Same Old, Same Old which, to me, is their absolute best song.
Bro this cameraman needs some help
Vaughan Lusk Lol right ?!
Which one?
Yeah, early days of Tiny Desk seemed to be pretty much "hey can you press the red button when we're ready and keep them in the frame in this cramped space?"
You can see people in the background working haha...
Probably the intern
I think they've come a long way since then and upped their game.
I don't think people realize how much they took cues from each other. THAT'S why they continuously look at each other and flow with one another- there's this amazing connection, because that's the whole basis of their band! They shared their passion, that's why you can feel and see and sense the emotions so clearly. They WORKED at that, it didn't just fall into their lap. And whatever else happened, that wasn't a lie. You can't fake that kind of bond.
Olivia Ceja but they said in many interviews that it happened naturally from their first meeting and they DIDN'T have to "work" at it.
👏👏👏👏
She was so in love with him....... vice versa. You can't fake that kind of natural chemistry.
On a whim I saw them in December 2011 at Agnes Scott college in Atlanta - 2nd row from stage. The best concert I've ever seen. Two voices, one guitar and one piano. I'll never forget it.
Poison and Wine is absolutely haunting.. So beautiful..
Damn they're made for each other vocally
These are the days when their relationship are at the peak.. JP even ask Joy's permission before singing, such a gentlemen .
The had a musical chemistry that was breathtaking. I’ve never heard two voices intertwined complimenting each other so well.
At least we have this recording for posterity. It was like lightning in a Bottle!
Thanks NPR Tiny Desk concert for creating this intimate setting and this series. Unforgettable music.
❣❣❣❣
I think that what most people are saying about the eye contact is right. I bet the main reason is to keep time and harmonies, but I think it also is part of what made them so great, they had this chemistry in large part because of that eye contact, and they probably used that to build the illusion of more being there than is actually there.
I think you're spot on. A lot of people fantasize about them being Johnny and June, and their "forbidden romance" being the proximate cause of their professional breakup. I personally don't think there was ever anything romantic between them. But as a musical duet, they have phenomenal chemistry. I have heard their individual work, and together they are far better than either of them is alone. I think that artistic chemistry is what people see and mistake for lust. Unfortunately, I get the impression it was actually the opposite of what people think---I don't think they ever got along well personally. They just put up with each other for a few years because the musical synergy was too explosive to pass up.
@Sean Crandall Honestly, I think you're spot on with everything. I've been closely following both of them for about 6 years now, and I think you have the exactly right idea. I think John found Joy a bit annoying, actually, and John likes having things his way, but Joy also wanted to have things her way, too which didn't work out too well. John has said himself that he enjoyed making his latest album cause he could do everything his way. Joy wanted to shine in the limelight, but John just wanted to keep making music their way.
Maybe that chemistry is what did them in. She is and has been married before they formed the band and her husband was the band manager.
Sean Crandall I don't agree. I mean I'm not sure they had sex or anything. But it seems they genuinely liked each other. I'm sure you've had a crush or fell in love...that's what I see with their banter and looks and just seemed like they had something for each other
Someone who commented here pointed out JP's desire to do things his way as being what did them in. That can very well be but I'm not sure. As far as I know, to this day Joy is still dumbfounded as to what happened. If there was some kind of rift between them I'm sure it would have been clear to her what the reason was for the break. I haven't dug too deeply so this is very well just my imagination but I believe John did have something for her. He at least appeared to. And it may not have been reciprocated because I think I see a little something more in the way he looks at her than in the way she looks at him. But, as someone else pointed out, the looks very well may have been nothing more than 2 artists basking in each other's artistic energy. Although, would that make sense to a jealous partner? There is also the way I've heard John and Joy speak in an early interview about how they began working together. They both described it as he "asked her out" as a songwriter or that they asked each other out after meeting in a songwriter's group. Between the eye contact and the way they played with the romantic tension as an image and identity for the duo I have a sneaking suspicion John's wife was jealous and eventually put her foot down and presented him with an ultimatum: "It's either her or me." In an effort to spare his wife backlash or judgement maybe John felt it would be better to never tell the truth about what was behind his leaving. Maybe I just have an overactive imagination.
Saw them on one of the like 10 UK dates they ever did. I swear my chills had chills.
This performance blows me away man, i get chills every single time. The performance of Barton Hollow in particular is insane, what a way to start a set. I come back to this video to watch it at least once a month since I first discovered this. I had never heard of them before seeing this because I'm not really that into the country scene but these guys don't really fit the bill for that genre imo. They combine the parts that I do like and appreciate about country music with everything I love about folk and rock n' roll. But what a way to be introduced to these guys. Do you know how hard it is to harmonize while full on BELTING like that?! Not only is it hard to do but it's also the BEST harmonies I have EVER heard in my entire 21 years of life and I'm not exaggerating. These two are some of the most impressive singer/songwriters of the last decade. I'm so upset that I didn't find out about them until a little while after they broke up. I hope one day they get back together so I can witness this magic live in person.
My heart hurts a little bit every time I watch them perform together - such special chemistry and such beautiful music...
Every performance Joy looks at John Paul like totally mesmerized. He gives her certain glances but never leads on. Their chemistry was undeniable even if it was scripted and staged. They will never be matched or surpassed.
To be fair, Joy appears like a very naturally sensual and flirty person. Seeing how she obviously had a connection with and affection for John, she felt comfortable being herself around him. They did put on a performance, I don't think the glances or gazing was staged, but if you want to give a powerful performance of a romantic song, you will get into the right mood, you want to create a certain vibe so that the song affects the audience in a real way. However, I love and hate that John often gives Joy the cold shoulder. For some reason it has always made their performances more authentic to me.
It legitimately makes me sad to watch this for a variety of reasons. For one, these two made some of the most beautiful, soulful melodies I have literally ever heard and still can't believe the world was robbed of decades of these two making music. Second, the connection and tension is so palpable here. I can only imagine what their lives were like behind the scenes, how her spouse must've resented their chemistry so much. I can hear the snide remarks and "jokes" hiding feelings of that growing resentment. I'm sure everyone involved could feel it. Poison and Wine always felt so fitting for these two, seemed like a perfect depiction of their own relationship and a foreboding warning of what was to come.
As always seems to be my timing, I didn't discover the Civil Wars until they had broken up as a duo. Thankfully their unique musical stylings remain for us to hear on the RUclips.
I cant believe they stop making music… you can’t stop doing what for musician is the air we breathe. They seem to know the exact note the other one is singing, they are in perfect sink!!! They read each other, thats years of rehearsing and playing. I do miss them. The real deal!!!!!
They still make music...just not together. They both have great solo projects even though I do miss them together.
Undeniable duo. These two made some really special music.
The chemistry is undeniable.....love is hard, but so worth it....
This is the loudest yet most synchronized vocal performance on Tiny Desk and that's a great achievement! :)
It makes me wonder if they were so loud that they were overdriving the microphones or something. The recorded sound quality is not very good; too much midrange and not enough hi and lo.
@@user-bg2oi4bz3p Very possible!
GET THE FUCK BACK TOGETHER ALREADY YOU GUYS ARE TOO AWESOME
When artists love their own creation so much, and you see their passion, it's contagious. Love their energy.
Excellent post!
the sound of the guitar is simply amazing...
my heart broke when they broke up
goodbye to one of the limited sources of amazing pure music
She loves him, that's for sure
They really should have had a song on "O Brother, ...". Truly beautiful sound, magnificent blend, both stylistically and sound wise.
As much as I love their sound, I think it's the obvious nature of how hard they work at it that really grabs me. These folks didn't just show up and expect it to be given to them. They put in the time and effort to craft this beautiful music.
💯👍
this was such a beautiful era for music
I discovered Civil Wars back around 2012 or something to close to that whent his show premiered on ABC Family. I first heard 'The One that Got Away" and was hooked instantly. I love all their music and I was so sad to hear them seperate but I will always love their music! Such great chemistry.
I remember years ago when this first came out, I fell absolutely in love with them from the first note. WOW!
This is still by far my favorite performance from them - beside the Newport Folk Festival (they were hilarious!)
💜
I can't remember when I first discovered them, what I do remember is how I felt - like I was being lifted by millions of butterflies into heaven. Truly. When I finally saw them (on RUclips) perform together - I was in such tremendous awe of them. I know they're both married to other people and can't speak to what exactly happened between them, what I can infer is that I don't know that I could, myself, conjure that kind of pure, raw chemistry and passion with someone who wasn't my spouse - especially singing the way they each sing. A sad story of a lovely heaven sent treasure lost. Would it be nice to have them back again? Certainly, but I think in this case, nostalgia and remembering them the way they moved so effortlessly together in this space in time is enough for me 💜
Why are they so good? They make one of the most beautiful sounds I've ever heard in my life.
So good and with just a guitar and vocals sounds like a full band
Man, I'm really diggin the sound of that guitar. The tone of it really matches the vibe of their voices, & It adds something really special to an already brilliant performance.
Le sigh. They are one of the best musical acts I've ever heard, as brief as their collaboration was. Joy and John Paul are independently excellent musicians...and had I not heard them together I probably would have loved it just as much. But them together is just...raw and beautiful.
The way she looks at him, though.
Sound almost 100 percent like the album. Amazing
The first time I heard these guys was their Grammy performance and it was just them on a little stand with their guitar and vocals singing Barton hollow and I fell in love. I still look back on this video just for the nostalgia of how their songs and especially these 3 were really a playlist for my life at that time. I miss them.
Miss them so much and it seems a bit cruel to know there will never be new music from them. I will always feel a connection with their music especially seeing they sang the song I danced to for the first time with my beautiful bride. That song laid the backdrop to one of the most romantic and fantastic moments of my life and for that I will always be grateful.
Never say never.
7:12 the smile looking at Joy. The Civil Wars drew you in so much visually! I'm on day Two of reminiscing on their beautiful music.
I met JP in an airport terminal where we sat and talked guitars and music for a good 15 mins. He was so cool.
If I was married to a woman who looked at me like that I'd seriously reconsider what I had to do to sing with her again.
I've always thought it was the final song that resulted in their breakup, because their spouses couldn't handle it. The intimacy of their music always seemed dangerous to me, given that they weren't a couple. But I truly miss them. They were spectacular together.
Yeah, that's what I figured myself. Might be wrong, but, people are people and they sing some intimate stuff.
Spot on both of you. Joy was pregnant just before they disbanded. I'm sure we all know who's child it is. Nothing can ruin a relationship like a baby.
What was their last song?
@@emilywood6830 The song is called "Poison and Wine," and the haunting chorus is, "I don't love you, but I always will..."
That chemistry...my goodness. I dont think they will ever be as good apart as they were together.
Barton Hollow - 0:22
Twenty Years - 4:22
Poison & Wine - 7:46
Watching this, they both seem so smitten by the other, yet each of them is already married......their professional breakup seems predictable. What else could they do? And we are all at a loss because of it. Thank goodness for web concerts like this!....their musical contribution will be archived forever.
You are mistaking them doing their job for 'being smitten'. They're into the music and they have to WATCH EACH OTHER for timing so they both stay together in the music because every time they perform they change the song and it's almost certainly a sporadic and unplanned change when it happens, and they have to keep looking at each other to stay together. I swear part of them breaking up was idiots like this saying they were 'in love' or some bullshit and that makes it REALLY hard to work with someone when everyone won't shut up saying stupid stuff, so please stop saying it and maybe they'll come back.
PhoenixKyuketsuki clearly you've never truly been in love. I've worked in music and in theatre and yes, you can fake it for an act or performance standards, but if you look really closely even during their breaks either here or if you ever saw them live, which I did twice once being a booking I did as artistic director/agent at a venue, it was intense, like we the audience we're interrupting two people about to get busy. During the show at the venue I worked at it was all but obvious but honestly I wasn't grasping that they weren't married to each other until someone told me later. So while you are correct to the degree you can fake the love or the love is the music, these two were a beyond that. Also they broke up for reasons I'm not going to discuss here but it most certainly wasn't due to gossip mongering.
Ohhh pleaaaaaseeee. I never said they were faking it- go read what I wrote again. And as far as your claims about this or that job in the industry, frankly we could make this a "who's is bigger" competition but I'm not that desperate to assert how entitled I feel for being a part of an industry that millions are a part of. This is why I find your claim that you somehow know something everyone else doesn't hilarious at best and sad at worst. Moving forward, why is it so difficult for people to accept friendly work relationships actually being friendly work relationships? Is it because hooking them up in your head is so much more interesting? Maybe it is, but that doesn't make it right to impose that fantasy on reality and the living, breathing people who actually have to put up with the bullshit it creates.
So glad I found this. I always hold my breath when I come across a live recording, hoping that the band/singer doesn't disappoint. These two not only didn't disappoint, they wowed the hell out of me.
I've watched this video about 743,000 times. Who are the other 700 viewers?
I guess is me. But please be gently, I already knew them few months ago.
she is stupid pretty
Tears in my eyes as soon as they sang the first note!!
Two people that don't really need amp.'s Music power away from the mainstream...love it.
She really enjoys her work. A delight to watch.
joy williams has an infectious smile. Great singer!
God I miss this group. They were amazing together.
Man, this broken and magnificent couple...
The charm between those two was amazing.
I want someone who look at me like Joy used to look at John.
I can only say what I know. I miss this duo. They had the magic in them.
2022. Still here....
I don't love you, but I always will. :'(
A few years ago I went to the Count Basie theatre in Red Bank to see Emmy Lou Harris. This duet I'd never heard of- The Civil Wars -was opening for her. What a show they gave. Their version of Billie Jean just blew me away. I wanted them to play all night. I assumed that they were married the by the way they interacted. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to not only see them but meet them after the show. They went into the lobby, interacted with the audience and signed their album.
This world is hurting. We’re barely getting by. Come back. Sing our souls again, please. If by some twist of fate you see this 💕
I hate finding new music just to find out they broke up as a band
Keeps happening to me, but after Civil Wars I usually think "well, it happened before with Civil Wars so actually it can't be worse than that" and look for another band. They were truly unique and it makes me SO sad to know I'll never see them live :(
They had one good song; the rest is mediocre.
Why? The music's still there.
They broke up????!
I've really enjoyed Joy's and John's solo work.
The way Joy looks deeply at John, while he remains stoic and downplays her gaze. It always seemed obvious that there was this love between them of which they could only be allowed to express through music, via the harmonies of their vocals or from their heartfelt lyrics.
Come back together, Civil Wars!! We miss you! What a nice looking duo with such beautiful voices, great harmony and awesome chemistry. They were made for each other. They’ve got should’ve received more notoriety. They put some of these other pop artist to shame.
2023 and I'm here.
This is probably the best sounding tiny desk concert I've ever seen. WOW! These are my 3 favourite Civil Wars songs too. Brilliant. Too bad they broke up.
Such chemistry. Such a damn shame they broke up.
This is one of the greatest Bands, that i had not known yet
Omg I miss these two beautiful souls
Unmatched chemistry such a killer vibe
Here in 2018, and still beautiful!
Just bloody good music. Thanks
CIVIL WARS... Now hear this! Come on you guys... GeT It BaCK TOGEthER!!! You can do this and we ALL need you BOTH now more than ever!!! Copy Fleetwood Mac's formula for success! Find another couple (possibly french) who complement your style and harmonies... Add a tall British genius who also plays the drums and can truly act as and be the glue for the whole Band and voila!!! There you have it ...Something Amazing that's built to last and can be loved and appreciated throughout the ages...I Love,love,love you... in what ever form of formula you pick... please come back!!! 💯% please pass this on to the Civil Wars... Joy, JP this is my love letter to you both... Love, Sharon
*insert general comment about similarity to Johhny Depp here*
Poison & Wine elevated these 2 who sang as though they were in love, to another level in life.