Charlie Wilson: Tiny Desk Concert
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Published 2023-06-05
Bobby Carter | June 5, 2023
Charlie Wilson's Tiny Desk unexpectedly ran the gamut of emotions. His musical journey boasts some of the highest highs and fanfare for over 50 years. So much so, it's easy to forget what he's endured. His testimonial during a praise break reminded us that he's climbed through valleys about as deep as they get. "I went from rags to riches, riches to rags, then rags to the curb, the curb to homeless," he said. "Because I was an alcoholic and a crack cocaine addict! But I'm 28 years clean and sober!"
Flanked by a host of musicians, Wilson expressed the depth and breadth of his life and career, telling a tale of two Charlies. The Oklahoma native's success with The Gap Band, formed with his brothers Robert and Ronnie, began in the 1970s and stretched throughout the '80s. The group's many hits are classified as old-school funk and R&B, but it's the resurrection and connection with young hip-hop stars that make Charlie's story so compelling to me.
Snoop Dogg was the first to hop on board, coining him "Uncle Charlie" and featuring him on his second LP, Tha Doggfather in 1996. They've been frequent collaborators since, eventually landing the smash, "Beautiful," a few years later. From Kanye West to Tyler, The Creator, Nas, and more recently Don Toliver and Devin Morrison, Wilson has been hip-hop's secret sauce for decades. When I asked Uncle Charlie to explain the reason why he's such a draw in hip-hop, he said so much by simply stating: "I can sang!"
SET LIST
"Charlie, Last Name Wilson"
"Computer Love"
"There Goes My Baby"
"I'm Blessed"
"Yearning For Your Love"
"Sweet Yamz"
"Outstanding"
MUSICIANS
Charlie Wilson: vocals
Jor'el Quinn: vocals
Leah Thompson: vocals
Gia Wyre: vocals
Dodie: vocals
Angel Hines: vocals
Cordell Walton: keys, music director
Rain Man: drums
Alex Williams: guitar
Stephen Johnson: keys
Lawrence Washington: keys, bass
EQ: bass
Nick Wilczynski: saxophone
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Sofia Seidel, Alanté Serene
Audio Assistant: Hannah Gluvna
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Maia Stern, Hazel Cills
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#tinydesk #nprmusic #charliewilson
All Comments (21)
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Currently dealing with alcohol abuse I just ask that y’all pray for me whoever comes back to this video and see this comment preciate y’all
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That sax player understood the assignment! 👏🏽👏🏽 Uncle Charlie is just great.
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Gotdamn those background singers holding it down !!!!!!
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But how we gone act like that sax solo wasn't pure🔥🔥🔥???
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Let’s give this man his flowers right now, today, and forever! This man has given so much to the culture and we’re all grateful to witness such a legend of our lifetime!! We love you Uncle Charlie 🥰
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UNCLE CHARLIE!!!!!!!!!
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That man on the saxophone is BLOWIN' OKAY?! SHEESH!!!!
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The backup vocals and the sax player killed that computer love 💪🏽
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Whoever came up with the idea of Tiny Desk is a GENIUS and the show never fails!
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The Gap Band and Charlie Wilson stays on rotation
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My goodness that Saxophone. Pure pure bliss!
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Background singers are on SERIOUS POINT! A whole vibe on their own!🙌🏾🙌🏾
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Charlie is from the generation where you had to know how to sang for real!
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He looks fantastic for 70!
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THAT SAX KILLED IT
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They've been hitting it out of the park with these tiny desks lately.
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His voice is so distinct. You always know it’s him singing.
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I wish music today had more saxophone breaks. They literally disappeared from music now. It sounds so beautiful
