My #13 comes from a very talented man who’s spent some time in Chicago. I first heard about Willis Earl Beal when some of his poetry and hand-made flyers (he was soliciting for a girlfriend) were published in Found Magazine (which is a brilliant publication if you’ve got some free time.) I discovered his lo-fi song, “Evening Kiss” — where Beal drew pictures and created a moving animation video — which depicts a dreary and depressing urban dwelling as it matches the melancholy theme of the song incongruously lovely. Beal has since then become kind of an obsession for me, and I even based a character (Mookie Brownstone) in my debut novel, “Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow” after him and his quirks. Long story longer, Beal’s latest record, “Experiments In Time” continues down a miserable road where Beal’s soulful, lush and bountiful voice becomes a measure of strength and triumph. This track that I’m posting, “Monotony” showcases what struggling with the struggle of being poor is all about. The music is basic but oddly smart and Beal’s shimmering voice keeps the listener’s head just above water. Music/art, to me, is something that causes a reaction within my emotions … and here (hear?) Beal makes this austere experience … eerily wonderful. Give him a shot on a gloomy day. https://youtube/watch?v=Vt5YLUSL8Wg
Posted on: Sat, 13 Dec 2014 12:55:09 +0000