Just before and his Extraordinaires launched into their final song, “Why Is It So Hard,” at the on Saturday, the the Screaming Eagle of Soul said, “Don’t you ever, ever give up on your dreams! Each and every one of you got a gift.” Bradley – now 65 and just beginning his stardom – embodies that statement in flesh and blood. His story of 40 years of hardship-turned-success continued to play out during his sold out Larimer show on Saturday.
Thanks to his time spent as a James Brown impersonator, which led to his late, eventual discovery, Bradley looks, acts and channels the legend on stage. Bradley’s electrifying charisma is rooted in a true love for his fans and for life. Like a child, he beamed between songs, above the sweaty, packed-in crowd, who he constantly reminded how much he loved.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, “I don’t call you my fans! I call all of you my brothers and sisters.” It’s passion that can only come from a man whose led a difficult life (summed up in the documentary “Soul of America). And when he belted out the soulful pain in “Crying in the Chapel,” the frantic bewilderment of “Confusion” and the desperation in “Hurricane,” “Where Do We Go From Here” and “The World (is Going Up in Flames),” his sincerity was unmistakable.
From the other side of his truly soulful set came the tender, passionate ruminations inside “Victim of Love,” “Lovin’ You Baby” and “Strictly Reserved for You.” In front of his Extraordinaires backing band – featuring a smokin’ hot two-man horn section – Bradley made the Larimer into a small Apollo Theater for the night and passed out a healthy dose of his hope to everyone there.
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Billy Thieme is a Denver-based writer, an old-school punk and a huge follower of Denver’s vibrant local music scene. Follow Billy’s explorations at , and his giglist at .
Tina Hagerling is a Denver photographer and regular contributor to Reverb. Check out more of her .
