Dana Falconberry: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Dana Falconberry’s songs are gentle, almost invariably delicate, sometimes mysterious and frequently feather-light. But her music’s sweet, intricate softness never stands in for strength: This is a confident songwriter, whether she’s ambling through six- and seven-minute epics (“Leelanau,“ “Dolomite“) or chirping sweetly in the bouncy “Crooked River.“ The compositions on Falconberry’s most recent album, last year’s Leelanau, are sturdy enough to be stripped down for a space like Bob Boilen’s desk at the NPR Music offices. But each benefits immeasurably from the broad assortment of lovely flourishes she re-creates here with the help of five instrument-swapping backing players. What makes Falconberry stand out in a crowded field of singer-songwriters is her music’s unfailing impeccability, and this Tiny Desk Concert finds her and her crack band hitting every immaculately crafted mark. --STEPHEN THOMPSON Set List “Dolomite“ “Crooked River“ “Leelanau“ Credits Producers: Bob Boilen, Denise DeBelius, Robin Hilto