As if they came in the new millennium in a time machine, the Black Pumas-Live in Studio have roared onto the music scene with the sounds of soul that can only be paralleled to that of the 70’s scene. Since the time they’ve formed in June of 2019, they’ve now already toured in North America and Europe, as well as making appearances on shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live, CBS This Morning, and even played the South by Southwest Festival in Austin raking with even later raking in a Grammy for Best New Artist. Lead by vocalist Eric Burton, the duo band is certainly off to a great start.
The Black Pumas-Live in Studio have roared onto the music scene with the sounds of soul that can only be paralleled to that of the 70’s scene.
Now their self-titled album is available for listening, but today WOW covers a live concert that Eric Burton of the Black Pumas put online just late last year. This jam session consists of him on guitar and lead vocals, his friends AJ and Tamisha on backup vocals, and his touring keyboard player JaRon Marshall on the keys. In just a roughly twenty minute long set, Burton and friends cover four songs: Black Moon Rising, Confines, OCT 33, and Colors. All songs were written by Burton and he and his group lay down all four songs in soulful yet epic acoustic fashion. Playing into the empty space of the Fraser Performance Studio, the band covers the songs with ease and enjoyment whilst Eric Burton stuns with his vocal range.
He briefly talks about the writing of each song before they play, which gives the viewers an idea of what he must have been thinking at the time (a treat for music lovers who often make their own interpretations of the songs). Each of the four songs has something special about them. Black Moon Rising really showcases the strength that Burton has in his vocals. His transitions between notes are done so effortlessly, all the while losing himself to the song but still maintaining his technique at the same time. Confines is a song Burton claims was inspired by childhood rhyme Row Row Row Your Boat but Burton’s spin on the song is what makes it different, and the lyrics of the song are what make it worth its mentions. OCT 33 is the song that is more cryptic than the rest, rather maybe even deeper as he doesn’t provide much explanation other than it’s something of a self-love song, though none the less a beautiful piece that is accompanied by his backup singers well. Colors is a song he says he wrote inspired by the sunsets of New Mexico. It’s an easily relatable song to any of those who appreciate the dusk and dawn, as well as the beautiful view and colors they can often provide.
The Black Pumas are on another level musically. Burton’s voice is one that won’t be easily matched amongst today’s artists, and the influence of his writing and sound is clear and evident to those who enjoy good ‘soul music’. YouTube has Black Pumas-Live in Studio for free viewing.
