Soul singer Charles Bradley has had some kind of life. In fact, it's the kind of life people write songs about, and not always happy songs, either. After decades of touch-and-go living, including a near-death penicillin reaction, sleeping on subway trains and a long stint as a James Brown impersonator, Bradley — by then in his early 60s — was picked up by the meticulous funk/soul musicians at the legendary Daptone label and put in front of the elite band he'd always deserved. And the rest, as they say, is history. His two full-lengths on Daptone sublabel Dunham reveal him as a ragged-voiced heartbreaker like Syl Johnson or Darondo, and at his live shows he's nothing short of magnetic. So consider this one of the most triumphant “better late than never” scenarios ever. (And don't miss his Sabbath cover, either.)

Thu., Sept. 11, 7 p.m., 2014
(Expired: 09/11/14)

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