One of many Tiny Desk Contest judges introduces us to finalists Les Greene and the Swayzees, a bunch primarily based in Miami, Fla.
MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
NPR Music obtained greater than 6,000 entries to this yr’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 received from a bunch out of Miami referred to as Les Greene & The Swayzees. The music they despatched in is named “Lengthy Story Brief,” 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, properly, 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 possibly when you gave us an opportunity, you’d see that you simply’re all that I will ever want. I am simply ready for you (ph).
HILTON: Properly, entrance and middle, you’ve got received Les Greene’s voice. It’s such an enormous sound. It is a basic sound. And the entire thing unfolds – when you watch the video, they shot it in what appears like a small lounge. However they make it really feel, actually, 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 will 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 way in which, 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 need, 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 received a wardrobe change at one level. Once more, it is like a giant Vegas present or one thing. By far, it was one of the memorable performances and songs that we received.
We have been additionally actually moved by the be aware that Les Greene included together with his entry. He mentioned, the world has a lot darkness happening, and this music is sort of a shiny 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 may’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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