Charles Bradley: Soul of America (2012) Reviews

• If you liked Sugar man you'll love Charles Bradley too.

  mossch2013-05-04

  I came across this movie almost by accident, the poster art seemed fairly uninspiring and I'd certainly not heard of Charley Bradley. The movie opens and I'm wondering if this a mockumentary like Spinal tap about a James Brown impersonator? But as the story unfolds you release there is a whole deeper dimension to the film and indeed Charles Bradley. Charles is an instantly likable man and the movie chronicles his journey from living in the projects, working as a James Brown impersonator to his debut on stage as himself. Something which he himself finds hard to do after so many years of performing as the Godfather of Soul. Charles is a tour-de-force in himself. He is not James Brown, but his own man and a deeply moving artist in his own right. The documentary lets us discover who Charles is, where he lives, what his life is and what his dreams are. At it's heart it's a simple story about a struggling singer looking to make it big. But what makes the movie amazing is Charles. A man with a wonderful heart full of love and pain. Charles isn't a polished act or pop idol wannabe, he's a man in his 60's who has had a hard life but hasn't given up on his dream. The movie gives us an insight into how hard things are for some in America, when Charles sings "why is it so hard to make it in America?" you can't help but be moved. By the end of the movie you will genuinely be touched by the mans struggle and be rooting for him to succeed.

• Wonderfully Entertaining & Inspirational

  AudioFileZ2013-11-17

  Sometimes talent trumps everything. Yes, Searching For Sugar Man, the 2012 movie about Sixto Rodriguez, told the unlikely story of an artist who released two critically acclaimed albums in the 70's only to disappear into obscurity, poverty, and, rumored death. It was a glorious testament to the human spirit that Rodriguez not only survived, but was able to achieve an amazing amount of fame, appreciation, and, finally, success 40+ years later in musical landscape littered with manufactured no-talent superstars. Buckle-up...There's more, another story of equal wonder and grace. This time by an artist who really never had a record or any measurable success. Oh, it should be mentioned that Charles Bradley is 62 years old as his unlikely rise takes flight. Not exactly an age an artist can, uh, begin. Remember that phrase "sometimes talent trumps everything"? Well, you'd be excused thinking "yeah, right", but sometimes justice does appear as if out of nowhere and in that vein this story is extremely interesting and infinitely uplifting. There's some important American R&B that folks still love, but, for the most part, have to revisit old recordings from such artists as James Brown, Otis Redding, Wison Pickett, Sam Cooke, Al Green, and others to enjoy. The common thread is this style is honest and everyone of these performers were truly awesome talents. It seemed that time has past, but something strange has happened. There are some white dudes who truly love this stuff and they're both talented musicians and have a record label in NYC called Daptone Records. This film, warts and all, portrays the sad life of Charles Bradley. Sad, but never defeated Bradley was a born singer. He had the goods, if not the luck. He took some of life's truly dark knocks and through his Faith in God he persevered, not so much as a singer because he was a random James Brown imitator whose musical quest never provided enough money for food or rent. With the only education he had as a cook (i.e.not chef) he, somehow, scratched out a meager existence and even cared for his mother physically as well as monetarily. This is a true "kind soul" who doesn't know the word HATE. He didn't, apparently, fall into drugs or alcohol, but between his own health crisis and the murder of his older brother he certainly knocked at death's door. Importantly, though, he never quit the occasional singing gig and through a small miracle he was heard by a few people with connections to Daptone Records. It would be an uphill climb, but this microscopically small record label had heart and soul, and a fan base because of a degree of success with their artist Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings. The rest is a helluva ride as Charles debut album "No Time for Dreaming" took off and made most critics best of the year lists. Charles Bradley is a true man with a heart. He is a true kind soul. He has kept his faith in God and never abandoned his mother who relies on him totally. All this while he suffered, but that was then and now the man has broken though in a business that celebrates mediocrity and youth. How unlikely is that? See this documentary and be entertained and uplifted. And, if you love incendiary R&B music get his, now, two albums. You'll be much richer for it.