Alabama Shakes at KCRW Apogee Sessions in Los Angeles April 20, 2015 [Full Performance Video]

Alabama Shakes, in conjunction with the release of their sophomore album Sound & Color, performed a set for KCRW last week. Watch the full performance above.

If you haven't already heard the album, you can stream it and read our review right here on Zumic. This live performance goes through most of the album's tracks with a few songs from the band's 2012 album, Boys & Girls. As great as those albums are, watching the band perform live is a more complete experience.

The listener can obviously hear how dedicated the band is to their craft without watching them play, but seeing Howard onstage in all of her soulful, charismatic glory gives visual evidence to that dedication. Brittany Howard was born to be onstage. She's charming and funny, and she doesn't seem to be making any effort in doing so. In the few seconds between every track she manages to make the audience sincerely laugh. Very few performers have that gift.

Alabama Shakes draw their audience in with a performance of "Miss You," the tenth track off of Sound & Color. As a camera zooms in on Howard, we get an initial glimpse of her Prince earrings. Rumbling through "Dunes" with the support of soul infused vocals, Howard bends notes on her guitar to the limit.

She jumps from the deepest growls of her vocal range to high notes that you'd expect only a choir singer to hit comfortably in "Future People." "Heartbreaker" is a doo-wop throw back a la Alabama Shakes. If Janis Joplin and Frankie Valli had a musical baby this is what it would sound like. "This Feeling" is the slow, reflective, feel-good song that marks the mid-point of the set. It shows off the smooth, lilting side to Howard's voice.

Following "Gimmie All Your Love," The Shakes work their way to "Gemini." Howard's performance musically and lyrically paints such a vivid picture that you can't help but being transported with her. She ends the song by lifting the guitar over her head and shaking it in true rock star fashion.

The set is brought home with "You Ain't Alone," which has the perfect dose of soulful sass for a closer. Howard quickly complies to one more song, teasing the audience, "had that planned all along, suckers." The band wraps it up with "Over My Head."

This is one of those great performances that leaves you wanting more. I personally found myself dreading the progress bar at the bottom of the screen as it crept closer to the end. Alabama Shakes get a lot of praise from critics and fans, and every bit of it is deserved.

Sound & Color can be purchased on Amazon (Vinyl, CD, MP3).

For Alabama Shakes' latest music, news, and tour dates, check out their Zumic artist page.

Source: KCRW