Rising Appalachia: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
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Published 2020-02-07
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Rising Appalachia's Tiny Desk Concert is charged with the roots music that sisters Leah Song and Chloe Smith learned in fiddle camps as kids. Growing up in urban Atlanta and beyond, they also heard rhythms from a wider world, and their music grew to reflect new sounds and their activism. When they came to NPR, their van was packed with a bodhrán (Irish drum), an ngoni (West African harp) a huge gourd, a cello, a baritone guitar and more, including the other musicians who make up this wandering, Atlanta-based band: David Brown, Biko Casini, Arouna Diarra and Duncan Wickel.
But American roots music sure seems to be the connecting tissue for this group. They end the set with a song Leah and Chloe "learned from our mama, an old boot-stompin' Appalachian folk tune" called "Cuckoo," where the many worlds of American, Irish and African music and storytelling combine, and Rising Appalachia shines.
SET LIST
"Resilient"
"Medicine"
"Cuckoo"
MUSICIANS
Leah Song: vocals, banjo, bodhrán; Chloe Smith: vocals, guitar, fiddle, banjo; David Brown: baritone guitar; Biko Casini: percussion; Arouna Diarra: ngoni; Duncan Wickel: fiddle, cello
CREDITS
Producers: Bob Boilen, Maia Stern, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative director: Bob Boilen; Audio engineers: Josh Rogosin, Natasha Branch; Editor: Maia Stern; Videographers: Kara Frame, Morgan Noelle Smith, Maia Stern, Jack Corbett; Associate producer: Bobby Carter; Executive producer: Lauren Onkey; VP, programming: Anya Grundmann; Photo: Mhari Shaw
All Comments (20)
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I discovered those 2 beautiful young women and their music in 2015 , the year where i started a cancer treatment . In Mexico. I dance on the beach with their music ( it was part of my healing process). In 2020. I am still loving and listening to Rising Appalachia ............alive and well.............Thank you from a young spirit 66 years old woman from Vancouver Island.
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I didn't realize I was gonna be listening to Folk Against the Machine this morning
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Listening to this - an old favorite - while at the hospital preparing for labor. Thank you, Rising Appalachia, for being my companion for many a kitchen dance party, tearful drive, passionate renewal, and moment of parenting - this one included.
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I remember encountering these two jewels about 8 years ago playing on the streets of New Orleans during my traveling days. I am so glad to see that they are receiving some well deserved attention. Love you Leah and Chloe! Thank you Tiny Desk!
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Resilient (0:00): I am resilient I trust the movement I negate the chaos Uplift the negative I’ll show up at the table, again and again and again I’ll close my mouth and learn to listen These times are poignant The winds have shifted It’s all we can do To stay uplifted Pipelines through backyards Wolves howlin out front Yeah, I got my crew but truth is what I want Realigned and on point Power to the peaceful Prayers to the waters Women at the center All vessels open to give and receive Let’s see the system brought down to it’s knees I’m made of thunder I’m made of lightning I’m made of dirt (yeah) Made of the fine things My father taught me that I’m a speck of dust And this world was made for me So let’s go and try our luck I got my roots down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, deep I got my roots down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, deep I got my roots down, down, down, deep I got my roots down, down, down, deep So what are we doing here? What has been done? What are you gonna do about it when the world comes undone? My voice feels tiny and I’m sure so does yours But put us all together we make a mighty roar A mighty roar I am resilient I trust the movement I negate the chaos Uplift the negative I’ll show up at the table, again and again and again I’ll close my mouth and learn to listen ____________________________________ Medicine (4:45): Wise men say that rushing is violence And so is your silence When its rooted in compliance To stand firm in loving defiance, Make art your alliance Give voice to the fire Move people to the beat of the wind Gather yourself and begin To dance the song until it ends We are winners, champions of the light Forming in numbers and might Keep the truth close in sight... Medicine Woman, Medicine Man Walking with grace, I know your face, and I trust your hands. Medicine Woman, Medicine Man Walking with grace, I know your face, and I trust your hands. Find your teachers in the voice of the forests Unplug, you cant ignore this Wisdom of the voiceless Remedies are bountiful and surround us From the garden to the farthest Prayer made of star dust Find your healing in the music that calls you The voice that enthralls you What do you belong to? Eyes out there’s the setting of the sun Give thanks to each and everyone The lesson is the... Medicine Woman, Medicine Man Walking with grace I know your face, and I trust your hands. Medicine Woman, Medicine Man Walking with grace, I know your face, and I trust your hands. I believe in bending backwards and extending In my tracks Trip back Until the lesson is in action and Your yard is feeding Stop stark the disbelieving Cause the garden holds the shards The medicine is in the seeds when We hold tight to our right to protect and We know our might is 10-fold in connection Our elders hold them bright lights We protect them The medicine is evident The wolf, the hawk, the bear clan We hold tight to our right to protect and We know our might is 10-fold in connection Our elders hold them bright lights We protect them The medicine is evident The wolf, the hawk, the bear clan... Medicine Woman, Medicine Man Walking with grace, I know your face, and I trust your hands. Medicine Woman, Medicine Man Walking with grace, I know your face, and I trust your hands. ____________________________________ Cuckoo (11:23): Oh the cuckoo She’s a pretty bird And she warbles as she flies And she nevers Hollers cuckoo Till the fourth day of July Jack of diamonds Jack of diamonds I know you from old You’ve robbed my poor pockets Of my silver and gold Gonna build me A log cabin On a mountain so high So I can See Whitlock As he passes by Oh the cuckoo She’s a pretty bird How I wish she was mine She never drinks whiskey She only drinks wine Oh the cuckoo She’s a pretty bird And she warbles as she flies She never hollers Cuckoo Till the fourth day of July
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Medicine Song has a whole new powerful meaning in Coronavirus world. Makes me think of all the men and women doctors, nurses who've dedicated there life's to learning medicine, and protecting elders and helping others. This Song should be played on all radio stations at 7PM.
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Listening to Rising Appalachia is like walking through a rolling field of wheat in the spring sun. Wonderful lyrics telling an awesome storyone song at a time. Thanks Rising Appalachia and thanks NPR! <3
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Outstanding vocals. Great lyrics. Musicianship is top notch. And the last song of the set is RIGHTEOUS!
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This music is very cool and has a nice vibe to it. NPR tiny desk has truly expanded my taste in music; genres that I never would have thought I'd begin to enjoy. Much appreciated platform for showcasing musicianship.
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NPR keeps giving us the greatest of all times. The grammy isn't even worthy of awarding these great minds.
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Magic Folk heals soul and heart ❤. Medicine of encouragement from two wonderful sisters who radiate life-affirming with their band. Thank you for this music. 😊💞💗💖
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Two musically and creatively gifted women who embellish the world with their love of natures wisdom with their brilliance of consciousness and expansive awareness. Pure joy!! So deeply grateful for their Light.
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Wow from Burkina Faso to blue grass.......the power of music, a language of its own.
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Just adding to the sea of people who love Rising Appalachia. David Brown, that brilliant musician on guitar, also taught my Appalachia-born-bred son to play upright bass through our local arts council. So I was blown away to see him here. I've loved them and had them in constant rotation on my Spotify for years. Thank you, NPR.
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Of all the Tiny Desk concerts I have viewed so far, this group seems to communicate with each others eyes more so than most. I love it, very connected.
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These two sisters in Rising Appalachia have a wild, fresh sound--which is quite appealing! Bravo! Good Luck!
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I avoided the banjo most of my life then I discovered Bela Fleck that changed everything . Today I’m a Banjo fan lovely vocals lovely harmonies wonderful performance very nice .
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We have seen them for years. Sister harmonies are hard to beat. As delightful as their music is, they are even more impressive humans. Before and after performances they always took time to speak with my daughters. Great to see them here.
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