STARTING out as a James Brown tribute act after catching him live in the 60’s, 65-year-old American soul singer Charles Bradley is very much a star in his own right. Singing from his heart so much so that it must have torn at the seems, Bradley worked the stage in Glasgow’s 02 ABC in a red suit with copious amounts of sequins thrown in for good measure.
Bradley played the crowd pleaser’s early on, opening with Funky Mule to a packed crowd. Although not sold out, this was a obtuse gathering for a guy who didn’t get discovered until he was 54.
Echoing the soul of Otis Redding whilst staying true to his funk passions with dangerous dance moves, Bradley takes himself from left to right across the stage, spinning around whilst the band encapsulate his moves in their instrumental. It takes one guitarist to tap Bradley on the shoulder and remind him of his que to leave the stage- a four minute sit down is the least the band could do for the ageing performer.
Love Bug, Flame and How Long were all included in the set, with the star closing the set with Why is it so Hard? All who witnessed this soul-fuelled charade in Glasgow on a Saturday night were left blown away. I am left to wonder if this is how Bradley himself felt in 1962 when he left that James Brown gig.
Full set list
Funky Mule
Summer in the City
Intro
Love Bug
Chapel
The World
How Long
Flame
You Gotta Make it Right
Artistics
Hurricane
Lovin’ You
Strictly Reserved
Confusion
All I’m Asking
Victim
Why is it so Hard?
Words: Nadine Walker