Charles in Charge…from the Heart

Charles Bradley
Lee’s Palace, Toronto
02.11.12

It’s been ages (over a year in fact) since I have written anything on this blog.  Last night’s legendary show at Lee’s Palace compelled me to revisit the old “Spot the Groove” bookmark that hasn’t gotten much click love lately.

I am talking about a soul singer Charles Bradley. Now blossomed at the ripe age of 63, he’s showing the world his heart and soul, and his epic journey along the way. His songs are his life story; a hard life that reached rock bottom when his brother was shot and killed, and hitchhiking across the US to keep from falling off the rails.

Here is a quick synopsis from the Globe and Mail:

The soul singer and funk music dynamo Charles Bradley, 63, toiled for years as a James Brown impersonator and a chef. His raw, epic journey – from Florida to Brooklyn to Alaska and back to Brooklyn – eventually delivered him to Dunham Records, a division of the famed Daptone label in New York. The scorching, harrowing single The World (Is Going Up In Flames) from 2007 gained him attention, and the 2010 album No Time For Dreaming solidified his reputation as a believable soul shouter of the highest order. Bradley, dubbed The Screaming Eagle of Soul, spoke from Brooklyn.

His journey may have been raw and rocky, but his survival gave him a damn incredible story to tell. I was fortunate enough to catch his incredible performance – which was more like poetic open-heart surgery – to a sold out show at Lee’s Palace on Feb 11, 2012.

Bradley’s grit, soul and sincerity immediatlely gripped through the crowd like a gush of cool wind. He danced, he did the splits, and he screamed his guts out.  And we we’re there with him at every step with open hards. I’ve never seen so much heart and soul pouring out on stage, a blind trust that we’ll accept him in his most raw and vulernerable state.

When Bradley sang “Heart of Gold” I couldn’t help but get teary eyed, especially when he sang the lyric “and I’m getting Old”.  Here’s a clip:

For his encore he sang the title track from his record, also known as his life story written in 4/4 time. Every scream gripped right though you. I finally undersood what soul was really about. Here is a clip:

Following Whitney Houston’s sudden death, Bradley came back onstage after the encore for a few wise words:

“I Love you” he shouts, crying while walking into the crowd and hugging his newly converted family.

And we love you too.

Website: http://thecharlesbradley.com/

Add comment February 12th, 2012