Before his set at Governors Ball last weekend, Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires played a warm up gig at Brooklyn Bowl. Bradley was recently diagnosed with stomach cancer, but has undergone treatment and showed no sign of slowing down. His movements were deliberate and purposeful, from his outstretched arms to his hands coming together to form a heart. You could feel the genuine love in the room.
Charles Bradley
CB
CB
CB
CB
CB
CB
CB
CB
CB
CB
CB
The ‘Screaming Eagle of Soul’ was inspired as a youngster by the ‘Godfather of Soul’, who he saw perform at the Apollo Theater back in 1962. It was evident from his James Brown-like screams to his attire. He started the show in a brown leather suit before taking an outfit change break while the Extraordinaires jammed. He then came out in a fur-trimmed, faded sequence ensemble that looked like JB may have worn himself.
Charles Bradley
CB
CB
CB
CB
CB
CB
CB
CB
CB
CB
CB
The highlight of the night for me was his cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes.” He dedicated the heartfelt version to his recently deceased mom as he sat center stage on a barstool. He ended the evening by handing out roses to the crowd and then jumped offstage to hug some his most loving fans.
Charles Bradley
CB
CB
CB
CB
CB
CB
CB
CB
CB
CB
Article: Michael DiGiovanni
