Shamir: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

July 31, 2015 by BOB BOILEN When I first saw Shamir at NPR Music s SXSW showcase, the 20yearold singer popped on stage with a Yo Gabba Gabba Tshirt and proceeded to light up the night with his discoinfused funk and joyful energy. Cut to this Tiny Desk Concert. Shamir Bailey is sitting alone on a stool with an acoustic guitar hardly recognizable except perhaps for the green painted fingernails, until he began to sing. At that point, he put his fragile but confident countertenor to work in Darker, from his debut album Ratchet, and I knew we were in for something special. During sound check, Shamir seemed so lonely sitting on a stool especially after I d seen him play with a big band so I invited our audience of NPR staffers, interns and friends to gather around him, campfire style. His charm is undeniable: When tells the story of writing Demon while working in the fitting room at Ross, I think we all just wanted to give him a hug. Set List Darker 00:00 In For The Kill 03:50 Demon 12:47 C