One of many Tiny Desk Contest judges introduces us to finalists Les Greene and the Swayzees, a bunch based mostly in Miami, Fla.
MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
NPR Music acquired greater than 6,000 entries to this 12 months’s Tiny Desk Contest. Now it’s down to simply 5. We’re assembly the 5 finalists this week on ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. This is one of many judges, NPR Music’s Robin Hilton.
ROBIN HILTON, BYLINE: Yeah. I wish to play an entry that we bought from a bunch out of Miami known as Les Greene & The Swayzees. The music they despatched in is known as “Lengthy Story Quick,” and it is a six-piece band with an actual old-school soul and R&B sound.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “LONG STORY SHORT”)
LES GREENE AND THE SWAYZEES: (Singing) Child, nicely, that I’ll all the time be ready for you right here, patiently, simply so long as you continue to have me. I used to be pondering that perhaps should you gave us an opportunity, you’d see that you simply’re all that I am going to ever want. I am simply ready for you (ph).
HILTON: Nicely, entrance and heart, you have bought Les Greene’s voice. It’s such an enormous sound. It is a traditional sound. And the entire thing unfolds – should you watch the video, they shot it in what seems to be like a small lounge. However they make it really feel, truthfully, like an enormous amphitheater. I imply, the horns are killing it.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “LONG STORY SHORT”)
LES GREENE AND THE SWAYZEES: (Singing) Child, you already know that I am going to all the time be ready for you right here, patiently.
HILTON: And so they’re doing this whereas sitting again on a sofa. They’re sitting down. Les Greene’s efficiency additionally completely off the hook – he begins off sitting in an workplace chair, and he is sort of swiveling forwards and backwards whereas he is singing. However then, early on, he very seamlessly will get up, kicks the chair out of the best way, and he simply brings it.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “LONG STORY SHORT”)
LES GREENE AND THE SWAYZEES: (Singing) What would you like from me? I am standing right here ready for you. I do know what I would like, and I do know that it is you, and I do know that it’s you for me. Child, do not you already know that I do know (ph)…
HILTON: He is bought a wardrobe change at one level. Once more, it is like an enormous Vegas present or one thing. By far, it was one of the vital memorable performances and songs that we bought.
We had been additionally actually moved by the notice that Les Greene included together with his entry. He stated, the world has a lot darkness happening, and this music is sort of a brilliant fairy story for me. It takes you out of actuality for 5 minutes and allows you to scream all of the ache and emotion out.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “LONG STORY SHORT”)
LES GREENE AND THE SWAYZEES: (Singing) ‘Trigger, child, I simply do not know why you’ll be able to’t see it for us, child (ph). (Vocalizing).
KELLY: That was NPR Music’s Robin Hilton, speaking about Tiny Desk Contest finalists Les Greene & The Swayzees. You’ll be able to watch their entry plus 1000’s extra at npr.org/tinydeskcontest.
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