“My life is cold, you put the flame on it,” belted soul man Charles Bradley during a passionate performance at the Roxy Theater on Saturday night. Considering his documented lifelong struggles with abandonment, homelessness and loss, those were poignant words from the 66-year-old Bradley, a former James Brown impersonator who eventually began gaining recognition for his own mood-setting voice in 2011. Sparkling from head to toe in a gold-accented white suit, Bradley — the main man of Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires — gave his besotted L.A. audience everything he had, backed by a tight eight-piece band. The Floridian Screamin’ Eagle of Soul writhed with genuine vigor as sweat from his face dripped down his beaded jacket. He spread his arms and opened his eyes wide – huge gestures for huge emotions and an overwhelming sense of adoration in the room. “Lovin’ You Baby” and “How Long” showed off Bradley’s knack for reviving the nostalgia of ’60s and ’70s funk. Women in the audience of all ages swooned during “The World (Is Going Up In Flames)” as Bradley pointed at fans and swayed his hips. One woman claimed to have ovulated from Bradley’s revivalist showmanship. Everyone cheered as he tossed around the mic stand and brought himself to his knees.
Between songs, Bradley voluminously expressed his appreciation, reminding his audience that he wanted nothing more than to give them his gift of love. His authenticity was palpable as he asked “Boys and girls, do you wanna go to church? Do you wanna go to the old-time church? I’ll take you there.” His ability to preach about hardships and injustices in the world comes from a very personal place – pair that with funky bass and brass, and you have the real deal. There was a swift intermission during which Bradley made an outfit change, but by the end of the evening the layers had come off. “Strictly Reserved For You” sounded weary but powerful as Bradley sang from deep in his core “I got the love, strictly reserved for you.” Watching him perform the psychedelia-infused “Confusion” was like witnessing the American dream – a man who, against all odds and having come from a lifetime of pain, was dancing, thrusting and spinning in front of a feverish crowd of true devotees and retro-soul enthusiasts. He reminded the crowd, “As long as I’m on this earth and the love that I’ve found in you, there’s still a chance in this world,” followed by a handful of “amens.”
Bradley returned for an encore of “Why Is It So Hard.” He gently emphasized, “America is made out of red roses, America is made out of yellow roses, but ladies and gentlemen please, DON’T forget about the black rose.” One fan jumped up on stage and wrapped her legs around Bradley, who welcomed the embrace. Other women followed and he went around to everyone in the first couple rows grabbing hands and hugging showing his unparalleled affection. By the end of the night, Bradley, clutching a black rose given to him by a fan, had tears in his eyes as the curtain came down.
Photos and writing by me for BUZZBANDS.LA
