Sarah Jarosz on NPR Tiny Desk Concert

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There is a new three tune video set by Sarah Jarosz with fiddler Alex Hargreaves and cellist Nathaniel Smithon that just came up on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert web site series:

http://www.npr.org/event/music/24898...y-desk-concert

The first two with her octave mandolin, then one on clawhammer banjo.

[Chip Booth]

I want to work in that office.

[Petrus]

Mandocello FTW. Trinity College? (The capo is blocking part of the logo.)

[aphillips]

Fletcher Brock Octave Mandolin - there's a Fretboard Journal video of her playing it as well.

[BradKlein]

Here's a video that I produced of the third song, Fuel the Fire. Different energy and sound that comes from a live show and a different recording set up. Sarah's a new arrival to Brooklyn, and it was super sweet of her and the boys to take part in this benefit show.

PS It's easy to see the difference between a player firmly rooted in a trad banjo style, claw hammer in this case, and the many rockers who have recently picked up banjos to add a new timbre to what are basically guitar strums.

[Astro]

There is a new three tune video set by Sarah Jarosz with fiddler Alex Hargreaves and cellist Nathaniel Smithon that just came up on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert web site series:

http://www.npr.org/event/music/24898...y-desk-concert

The first two with her octave mandolin, then one on clawhammer banjo.

http://www.npr.org/event/music/24898...y-desk-concert

I love this song. As a hack campfire guitar player, its what I'd call a "strummer". That means even I could play it if I dumb it down enough for me.

But on many other of her songs, what gets me about Sarah J is how she can play such intricate mandolin riffs ( or banjo or fingerstyle guitar) while simultaneously belting out such emotional vocals. Often the rhythmic patterns of her fingers having to shuffle completely independently from the cadence of her vocals. I know many talented musicians do this routinely to some degree. But I think a rare few can really do it to the extent and with the flowing ease that Sarah J does so effortlessly.

The majority of the celebrated musicians are usually mostly singers that play well or mostly players that sing well. There are only a very few again that could have been known for either one, even in the absence of the other. Sarah is still quite young and needs some refinement in order to break out into the mega pop realm (if she even wants to do that). I guess thats why she is in NY. Many on the forum here have been sort of watching her grow up via utube over the last 10 years. It will be fun to watch her over the next 10 years.

I was able to catch her show when she came to our town. She has an awesome bass with her on tour. It was fun watching him switch from bow to plucking on a number of the songs.

[padawan]

Thank you!! That was a great way to start the day.

I'm subscribed to the NPR channel on Youtube but they don't have this one up there yet.

I just saw Sarah (with Alex and Nathaniel) last month the the Paramount theater in Austin. It was a great show. If you get the chance to see them live it is certainly worth the price.

For any who are new to tiny desk concerts, here's a link to: Every single of of NPR's "Tiny Desk" performances on Youtube

[padawan]

Forgot to mention, Sarah was just nominated for a Grammy in two catagories. Best folk album for "Build Me Up From Bones" and again for best American roots song for that album's title track.

[Earl Gamage]

Wow, that's a great video. I'll have to go see her when she comes to the Dallas area.

[michaelcj]

Any one have any info on how her 6 string banjo is strung/tuned?

Mj

[Bernie Daniel]

Mandocello FTW. Trinity College? (The capo is blocking part of the logo.)

Fletcher Brock Octave Mandolin - there's a Fretboard Journal video of her playing it as well.

Didn't she used to play a Weber GBOM?

[padawan]

Didn't she used to play a Weber GBOM?

You may be thinking of Sierra Hull who often plays a Weber octave mandolin

(Click here for a sample)

[BradKlein]

Any one have any info on how her 6 string banjo is strung/tuned

Does she play 6-string? It's an old time 5-string in these videos.

[Chip Booth]

Does she play 6-string? It's an old time 5-string in these videos.

Look close, it's actually a 6 string, essentially a 5 string with an extra lower string. It still has the reentrant "5th string". It's not what you normally think of as a 6 string guitar banjo thing.

[BradKlein]

Well I'll be! Here I was with my nose right up to the thing, and then editing the video too, and I never noticed. I'll ask SJ about the tuning if I have a chance, unless someone else supplies the info.

[padawan]

Its a custom job built for her by Bernard Mollberg using an old piece of wood he'd been hanging on to for 15 years or so. No really.

Here's a clip that will give you a few closer glimpses and a decent listen:

Don't believe me about the 15 year old hunk of wood? Read page three of this article from americansongwriter.com about Sarah's "String Garden":

Page 1
Page 2 Guitar and mandolin info
Page 3 Octave mandolin and banjo info