I first fell in love with Willis Earl Beal’s voice after stumbling across video of a phenomenal performance under a bridge somewhere. His voice, powerful and soulful and emotive, was absolutely transfixing. His star quickly rose on the blogosphere as people caught wind of his fantastic (in all senses of the word) backstory. But it always came back to his voice. That voice.
When his debut album, Acousmatic Sorcery, dropped earlier this year, many people were taken aback. Where was the voice? Instead of booming bass and neo-soul, listeners were greeted with lo-fi experimentation. To some, the album sounded – as Beal eloquently put it on stage at Music Hall of Williamsburg – “like a bunch of bullshit.”
Let me assure you that Willis Earl Beal’s live performance is anything but a bunch of bullshit. He’s as captivating as they come; he prowls around the stage, standing up, sitting down, standing on chairs and draping himself in spraypainted bedsheets. His only accompaniment is a reel-to-reel tape player and the occasional noodling on electric guitar, but the man could stand on an empty stage and command your attention. It’s a show that is difficult to describe in words.
Willis Earl Beal’s voice will give you goosebumps, shivers, and every other sort of visceral reaction you might have to seeing greatness in person. It’s textured and full of emotion, raw and yet acrobatic and capable of nailing high notes. If Beal weren’t averse to being pigeonholed as a neo-soul singer, you’d think of Cooke and Redding – high praise indeed. And though his act is full of conceits that might strike you as false in the hands of someone else – sunglasses, toothpick, mixed drink with an untouched straw – he comes off as completely genuine.
It sounds like hyperbole, but it is not. Willis Earl Beal is a unique talent, unlike any artist I have ever seen in concert. Go see him live. Go hear that voice.
DOWNLOAD: Willis Earl Beal - Sambo Joe From The Rainbow (MP3) or Follow us for more Willis Earl Beal MP3s (Twitter)
Two songs go in, one comes out. Pick a side.
Also, I have yet to pay this venue a visit, is it good spot? good people, good vibe, good atmosphere?
... man, i hope i win some tickets…
by Jaz Bonnin-Aldatz on Thu May 17, 2012 at 12.27 am from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
Looking forward to the show. Would love to win some tix for my pals.
by MC Breath on Wed May 16, 2012 at 07.40 pm from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
I’m dying to see him no better place than FETE!!
by Telly on Tue May 15, 2012 at 02.57 pm from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
Sound does matter. Viva Le Fete!
by Auquanetta on Tue May 15, 2012 at 01.13 pm from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
YES! i MUST go to this show! i was just strollin down the street the other day and saw the poster! SO stoked they’ll be in town.
by Jaz on Mon May 14, 2012 at 05.30 pm from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
Fete Forever!!
by Tabitha on Mon May 14, 2012 at 05.08 pm from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
Congratulations and thank you to Fete for bringing talent to Providence! We needed this venue and vibe. Bless.
oh and I’d love to win tickets; its my boyfriends bday:D
by Ellen on Mon May 14, 2012 at 07.23 am from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
