A Tiny Desk World Video Premiere: Ensemble Signal Plays Jonny Greenwood

Plus: After more than 20 years, some "Bitter Sweet" royalties.

Claire Harbage/NPR We had a couple of Tiny Desk firsts this week: A world video premiere, plus the first time a member of Radiohead has written for NPR Music. The New York-based group Ensemble Signal performed two pieces by Radiohead guitarist and composer Jonny Greenwood: Three Miniatures from Water and 88 (No. 1). It was a masterful display from an innovative collective. And as it turns out, Greenwood is a Tiny Desk fan himself. “I've watched a lot of Tiny Desk concerts over the years,” Greenwood wrote to us. “The performances should expose flaws, but instead they tend to expose musicians being casually brilliant.” So, Mr. Greenwood, if you’re reading this: If you ever want to bring the band by, we’re happy to host. Fake plastic girls, Marissa Lorusso and Lyndsey McKenna   Featuring On this week’s All Songs Considered, hear Jonny Greenwood discuss Three Miniatures from Water, plus his love for the recorder (yes, the instrument you may have played in elementary school) and the musicians that have inspired his work. The Verve’s Richard Ashcroft never got royalties for writing his band's biggest hit, "Bitter Sweet Symphony," because it sampled a cover of a song by The Rolling Stones. Now more than 20 years later, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards have signed over their rights. The NEA Jazz Master distinction is the highest honor in jazz; meet the 2020 class of esteemed honorees. New Music Out this week: the first new release in six years from lo-fi rock veterans Sebadoh, a stirring call for social justice from soul and gospel legend Mavis Staples, a wonderfully strange and collaborator-rich release from Flying Lotus and more. Hear about those records and more on this week’s New Music Friday from All Songs Considered. Though there’s only one Tiny Desk Contest winner, our judges were astounded by many other great entrants this year. We’re calling these entries — which represent some of the best songs we heard from this year's Contest — the Tiny Desk Top Shelf. This week in our First Listen series: mariachi fusion from Flor de Toloache; masterful dub from Lee “Scratch” Perry; the stark, beautiful debut from Ian Noe and a grand call for empathy from Kishi Bashi. Hear these albums before they’re out. Tiny Desk Photographer/Source There is no one making music like Jeremy Dutcher. A member of the Tobique First Nation in New Brunswick, Canada, Dutcher makes 21st-century music that honors centuries-old traditions. He gave a remarkably artful, thoughtful and participatory performance at the Tiny Desk. One More Thing Two thumbs up. What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: nprmusic@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Books, Pop Culture, Health and more! Need a new playlist? Follow NPR Music on Spotify and Apple Music! You received this message because you're subscribed to our NPR Music emails. |  Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy | NPR 1111 N. CAPITOL ST. NE WASHINGTON DC 20002