Review: Willis Earl Beal live at Bowery Ballroom

Posted by The G on April 28, 2012 under Encounters with G, G Reviews | 2 Comments to Read

Photos by G.

 

Willis Earl Beal had me at his opening line, “I am gonna sing you some songs and then I am gonna get off the Goddamned stage!”  Chicago native Willis Earl Beal opened for Britsh rock band Wu Lyf at New York’s Bowery Ballroom on April 27, 2012, and it was one of those cases for me where the opening act blew away the headliner.  If you don’t know Willis Earl Beal, get to know him.  He’s a born performer and for the duration of his hour long set, he sang like a man possessed!  Think of the vocals of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ “I Put A Spell on You” and add a whole lot of soul with an addictively entertaining stage presence and you’ve got Willis Earl Beal.

His debut album “Acoustamatic Society” comes in a DVD-sized package that includes a slip case and a book filled with illustrations and text from Beal and when I asked him about the cool packaging after the show, he said that he wanted fans to get the most for their money.  Beal is also infamous for not being on-line and in fact, at the merch table, they were handing out postcards with Willis’ phone number and if you call him, he will sing you a song!   The post card also offers that if you send him a letter, he will draw you a picture and mail it back to you.  Guess who is totally going to do that?!

It was really hard to top Willis Earl Beal’s set as well as the great experience I had chatting with him, so I ducked out early from Wu Lyf’s (pronounced “Woo Life”)  set, but since the lead singer is super cute, here’s a photo for you, my dear readers.

 

It was really great chatting with you Willis, and we’ll be speaking on the phone soon!