Showing posts with label daptone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label daptone. Show all posts
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Tonight: Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires



Tonight sees the return of Charles Bradley to Buffalo when "the Screaming Eagle of Soul" & His Extraordinaires play the Town Ballroom. I kind of went nuts the other day singing the man's praises, and there ain't that much more I can say, but I will try... 





In short: Charles Bradley is the inheritor of the legacies of James Brown and Otis Redding; his debut album No Time For Dreaming was one of the best albums of 2011 and an instant soul classic; the man is getting his much deserved big break now in his 60's; and his inspirational life story will be coming soon to a theater near you:




It should also be noted that Daptone Records is one of the best damn record labels on the planet. Sharon Jones, The Budos Band, Naomi Shelton, and now Charles Bradley... they've got their own mini universe of living classic soul spinning down in Brooklyn. For my part, I think every Buffalo music fan needs a copy of Bob & Gene's If This World Were Mine in their collection (to go alongside their Rick James), and the fact that it's even available is down to Daptone's respect for the music. As an added Saturday bonus, some Buffalo soul music. Northern soul indeed:


Tickets for "the soul of America" Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires are $20. Little Barrie is opening, and doors open at 7 PM. If his opening set for Sharon Jones last year is any indication, it's going to be a fantastic and life affirming night of soul music at the Town Ballroom. I can't wait.



Cliff Parks
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In Praise Of Charles Bradley



I am so excited about seeing "the screaming eagle of soul" Charles Bradley at the Town Ballroom this Saturday that I'm doing a preview for the preview of the show. I am beyond stoked. This really is a show that at the very least I've been waiting for since last February when Charles Bradley opened for Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings at the Ballroom. When people talk about that show, they have no choice but to use superlatives to describe it and rightly so.  Indeed Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings were on fire, raining down their mighty soul on the crowd like Ali body blows, and damn, that crowd was jumping. But truth be told, the crowd was tenderized in advance by the Buffalo debut of one Charles Bradley.

You see, Charles Bradley truly is a national treasure. Seriously. I am not shitting you on this one (not that I ever shit you, you can trust me implicitly). Charles Bradley is the inheritor of the legacies of both James Brown and Otis Redding, and he does both icons of American music proud. You never thought that there'd be an heir apparent, but there is, and here he is....




And let me tell you another thing about Charles Bradley: his is a beautiful soul, and he, is a beautiful man. Whether you're listening to him on CD, seeing him live, or getting his autograph after the show, you can't help but feel the goodness in his soul. Maybe it's because he's getting his big break now, or perhaps it's because of the trials and tribulations he had to get through to get to this point, I don't know, but I do know that this man radiates grace, sincerity, and thankfulness. 


I felt like I was in the presence of a holy man... and I'm looking forward to basking in that soul this Saturday night.





Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires play the Town Ballroom this Saturday, February 25. Tickets are $17 in advance and $20 day-of. Be there.



Cliff Parks
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Daptone Records: 10 Years of Soul Excellence




With Charles Bradley returning to the Town Ballroom in a month I had to give some love to Daptone Records down in Bushwick, Brooklyn NY for being around ten years. Beginning with Dap-Dippin' With... Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings in 2002, Daptone Records has been a keeper of the flame, and an essential American indie label for lovers of classic soul and American music. This is their story in 10 magical minutes. 








Indeed, Daptone truly is the house that soul built... and the best part is that they are still building it because Daptone is a living, breathing entity putting out records today. Listening to old Otis Redding or James Brown or Motown is wonderful, but going down to the record store to pick up new but already timeless Sharon Jones or Charles Bradley... and seeing them live... that's a whole nother thing. Example:  Charles Bradley's (featuring Menahan Street Band) "The Golden Rule" off of last year's exceptional Ain't No Time For Dreaming (one of my favorite albums of last year). That's a classic sound and Charles Bradley's is a classic voice, and yes those lyrics could have been written in the 60's, but listening to the lyrics you can definitely tell he's singing about 21st century America and 21st century America's soul.




Charles Bradley & Menahan Street Band "Golden Rule" by defend music

That's what soul music is about: saving souls and elevating souls, and right nobody's doing it better than Daptone Records. 


Happy Birthday Daptone Records, thanks for the memories, and for playing Buffalo a lot lately.


Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings How Long Do I Have To Wait (instrumental) Funk 45 by J..M

Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires play The Town Ballroom February 25. Tickets are $17 in advance, $20 day of the show, 7 PM doors. Shit, it's a Saturday night. What the hell else you gonna be doing? Go and get some church a day early.


Cliff Parks
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