A couple of years ago I caught the documentary Soul of America about the life of Charles Bradley and was on line ordering his album Victim of Love before the final credits had finished rolling.
Charles has had a hard and troubled life working in a series of dead end jobs and having been homeless on occasions.He has also performed over the years under the name Black Velvet as a James Brown impersonator.He now sits proudly next to James on the Soul shelves.
He was "discovered" by Gabriel Roth co-founder of Daptone Records leading to his debut album No Time For Dreaming being released in 2011 when he was in his early 60's
Victim of Love is the 2013 follow up. On both albums the musical accompaniment is courtesy of fellow Daptone artists The Menahan Street Band.
A bit like Fat Possum with Blues artists Daptone have a knack of finding some great Soul artists who have, probably due to life's circumstances, remained hidden and have belatedly introduced them to a wider audience.
And we thank them for that
More Soul next Sunday
Charles Bradley - Confusion
Charles Bradley - Crying in the Chapel
'Confusion' is particularly splendid.
ReplyDeleteBig fan, CC. I have not seen the documentary. Will seek it out.
ReplyDeleteYou should Brian. Thoroughly recommended
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