Pastor T. L. Barrett the Royal Voices Of Life: Tiny Desk ( Home) Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music s Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It s the same spirit strippeddown sets, an intimate setting just a different space. Mitra Arthur, September 9, 2021 Pastor T. L. Barrett comes to this Tiny Desk (home) concert from his spiritual home, the Chicago church he has pastored for over 40 years. His choir, the Royal Voices of Life, and the band are positioned in front of a dazzlingly lit stained glass window. A tambourine is at the ready. The sight is familiar to anyone familiar with churches that anchor their neighborhood. Starting in 1971, Pastor Barrett released a series of albums that integrated soul and funk elements, all backed by a 45member ensemble. Some of those former youths still perform with him today. At one point, his congregation included Donny Hathaway and members of Earth, Wind Fire. Barrett s music has had a resurgence of late his records have b