Smokey Robinson: Tiny Desk Concert

By Mitra I. Arthur

Published October 16, 2023 at 7:47 AM EDT

Legend is a word thrown around far too often. But if there was ever an artist the word "legend" applies to, it would be Smokey Robinson. The iconic songwriter, producer and vocalist was not only a key architect of the Motown sound, but also R&B and soul music as a whole. His uncanny ability to craft tender and catchy romantic tunes has served as a model for songwriters that followed in the decades since he began his career.

1981's "Being With You" opens the Tiny Desk to immediately alert us that, at 83 years young, his sweet and sensual falsetto is present and ready to dazzle. From there, he casually introduces one of his numerous hits with The Miracles, "The Tears Of A Clown," as "one I wrote with Stevie Wonder" to the audience's delight. Robinson's pen game is still strong as he presents two tracks from his new album, Gasms. His romantic lyricism is on display in "Beside You," and the sax solo from Brandon Wright in "If We Don't Have Each Other" is a particular standout in this performance. And when he closed with "Cruisin'," the audience was more than happy to lovingly participate in "cruising together."

SET LIST

"Being With You"
"The Tears Of A Clown"
"If We Don't Have Each Other"
"Beside You"
"Quiet Storm"
"Cruisin'"

MUSICIANS

Smokey Robinson: vocals
Lindsay Walker: vocals
Karrie Benoit-Morales: vocals
Brandon Wright: saxophone, flute
S'von: keys
Gary Foote: bass
Tony Lewis: drums
Robert "Boogie" Bowles: guitar
Demetrios Pappas: keys, musical direction
Sally Gorski: violin
Tiffany Ibáñez-Weiss: violin
Lakshmi James: viola
Camille Johnson: cello

TINY DESK TEAM

Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern, Alanté Serene, Catie Dull
Audio Assistant: Ted Mebane
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Estefania Mitre
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Hazel Cills, Kara Frame
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann