Charles Bradley is a man who has taken a very long and winding road to success.
At 64, he has only just released his second album – Victim Of Love – following on from his 2011 debut, No Time For Dreaming. In the titles alone, a change in tone is evident in a man who has endured much to get to this point.
Before he found worldwide stardom, Bradley made a living as a cook, but more significantly as a James Brown impersonator under the stage name, Black Velvet.
Emanating the moves and style of the soul king in New York bars was what took him away from a life much less fortunate; occasional homelessness, coping with his brother’s murder, and caring for his elderly mother.
Good fortune finally found its way to Bradley’s doorstep in 2002 in a case of “right place, right time”. Gabriel Roth – of the lauded Daptone Records – wandered into a Brooklyn bar one night to see a man up on stage who he thought needed to be shown to the world.
The introduction between Roth and Bradley led to a support slot with Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, and eventually, a record deal with the Daptone imprint, (founded by Sharon Jones herself) Dunham Records.
After an incredibly successful year following No Time For Dreaming, the “Screaming Eagle of Soul” hasn’t stopped the soul train and is back with album number two, Victim of Love. “I’ve always been the same person… whether I’m doing James Brown or Charles Bradley, it’s all me… I give it like it’s my last show.”
His attitude and approach to life is optimistic to say the least, and is perhaps a lot of the reason why he is in the position he is today.
“I just try to spread the love that God give me,” Bradley says. “It’s only a short time so I gotta do something. That’s the way I feel about life.”
His latest album comes across as very personal and honest, and Bradley emphasises that whilst it may seem like that style of songwriting comes naturally, there is still a great deal of emotion behind each word. “It hurts. When you’re giving something from the heart, you’re gonna feel the pain with it.”
This “from the heart” notion is one that seems very important to Bradley, who values truth above all else.
“You gotta find truth inside you, for all the truth that we’re looking for is inside each individual. If you can hold your heart and just give the love that you feel inside you, then you are really doing something.”
For his manner and his sentiment, Bradley can quite quickly take on the character of a preacher. But these clichés of “feeling the love”, however contrived they often are, seem somehow genuine when coming from him.
When taking into account his history, it is hardly surprising that these clichés, and his faith, have played a large role in his determination.
“Sometimes when I’m hurting, I go by myself and I pray, and I feel tender. Because with these gifts that the Lord [has] given me, I want to be able to give with all my heart.”
Whether he’s singing “Crying In The Chapel” (from Victim Of Love) or doing his best rendition of “I Feel Good”, Bradley says he always gives his soul to whatever he’s doing.
“I’ve always been the same person… whether I’m doing James Brown or Charles Bradley, it’s all me. When I get on the stage I want people to know who I am [and] what I am… I give it like it’s my last show.”
It took many years for the singer to perform his own material, but not for lack of wanting, he explains, “I always really wanted to do my own songs… and when I did I took the hardest thing that I knew, and learned to do this song and do it very gracefully.”
Rather than dwell on the misfortunes of his past, he uses this as inspiration for songwriting. “It hurts so deeply because with my pain [and] the struggles I’ve been through, I found a way to put it into lyrics and let the world know the real person I am… to see the beauty, the honesty, the pureness inside.”
This soulful man is also of the strong belief that his prowess is not unique, not exclusive, “we all have a gift,” he espouses.
Holding the firm belief that everyone harbours a hidden talent or two, “all you have to do is go inside yourself and find out who you are, what God gives you, and use your gift in a righteous way.” “I am not on this world to hurt you, steal from you or lie to you. All I want to do is be the spirit that God made me to be.”
Spiritual? Absolutely. But there is some merit in amongst these religious rants when Bradley talks about the importance of truth in the music industry.
“Just keep being who you are, keep being the loving person you are and keep giving the love. If you don’t get it out of music you can get it another way, because when the gift is given to you, one way or another it can get taken from you,” he extolls. “That’s why I keep my heart, my soul, my mind clean.”
His positive spirit is striking. When questioned on it, however, his attitude is simply logical. “What do I get outta hurting someone? Nothing.
“I gotta tell the truth,” he heaves, “because if I don’t I’m only lying to myself and hurting myself.”
Having been discovered so late in life, to imagine that Bradley would have happily continued in anonymity isn’t such a long bow to draw. It is still seldom that he doesn’t thank God for his achievements, and often refers to his path as a sort of destiny rather than a striving for success.
“All I’m doing is being me. I feel that the Creator has given me this and I’m just using it to the best of my ability. I am not on this world to hurt you, steal from you or lie to you. All I want to do is be the spirit that God made me to be.”
He is nothing if not aware of the fleeting nature of success, especially in the entertainment industry. Considering he had six decades to stay grounded, it’s no great revelation that those foundations won’t be shaken by a bit of international attention.
His simple, grateful outlook is one from which many people – artists and appreciators alike – could benefit.
“I came into this world with nothing, and I’m going to leave with nothing, and while I’m here I would love to enjoy some of the things that God gives us.”
Awards and accolades hardly seem to register on Bradley’s mind, as he seems far more concerned with being a good person than a popular musician. If it wasn’t clear already, he only wants his fans to “share the love.”
When people think of him, Charles Bradley doesn’t necessarily want them to conjure images of the “Screaming Eagle Of Soul”.
Rather, his ambition is simple: “I want people to say that Charles Bradley had a good heart.”
Victim Of Love is out now through Dunham/Daptone, read the Tone Deaf review here.
