Have you ever been in a room where you can feel a palpable, collective swooning? Welcome to a Maxwell Tiny Desk. The crooner’s sensual falsetto and rooted baritone have seduced audiences since his debut album dropped in 1996. One of the leading voices in the resurgence of soul music during the late ’90s, Maxwell’s albums are full of tender songs recounting love, life and heartbreak that have resonated with generations of fans looking for ways to be vulnerable.
Clad in soothing neutrals, Maxwell charmingly admitted his nervousness at being at the Desk, stating that “This is where real music can’t lie. You cannot lie here.” The audience was there with encouragement — singing along, screaming in pure glee and adding the party vibe when needed. His set here featured “Sumthin' Sumthin'” complete with a funky bass solo from Darrell "Free" Freeman. “Lifetime” features impressive work from Travis Sayles on the keys and Shedrick “Shed” Mitchell on the Hammond B3 organ, an instrument I’m admittedly partial to. Maxwell presented his latest single during this set, a cover of the Al Green classic “Simply Beautiful,” breathing life into the song and paying homage to the soul singer. To end his set, Maxwell performed the song that launched his career, “Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder).” Percussionist Charles Haynes gave us a little D.C. go-go flavor as everyone partied.
SET LIST
- “Sumthin' Sumthin'”
- “Bad Habits”
- “Lifetime”
- “Pretty Wings”
- “Simply Beautiful”
- “Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)”
MUSICIANS
- Maxwell: lead vocals
- Shedrick "Shed" Mitchell: keys, musical director
- Hod David: guitar
- Travis Sayles: keys
- Darryl "Lil Man" Howell: drums
- Darrell "Free" Freeman: bass
- LaTina Webb: vocals
- Aaron Marcellus: vocals
- Charles Haynes: percussion
TINY DESK TEAM
- Producer: Bobby Carter
- Director/Editor: Maia Stern
- Audio Technical Director: Josephine Nyounai
- Videographers: Maia Stern, Joshua Bryant, Sofia Seidel, Zayrha Rodriguez
- Audio Engineer: Ted Mebane
- Photographer: Estefania Mitre
- Tiny Desk Team: Kara Frame, Ashley Pointer, Hazel Cills
- Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
- Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
- VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
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