Bleeding passion, radiating authenticity and bearing his soul, The Screaming Eagle of Soul in a sequined wife beater aka Black Velvet with a shrieking pharaoh skull on his back (after an outfit change) aka Charles Bradley in the flesh with glistening eyes and a weary, worn, coarse voice that was as strong as ever kicked off the Soul'd Out Music Festival on Tuesday, April 14 at the Roseland Theater. At age 66, the man has seen it all and can recount every second—good and bad—through a single yowl, flap of his eagle wings, or sexualized moment of getting low—see below.
Well, Toronto's experimental jazz trio BADBADNOTGOOD actually kicked off the festivities opening for Bradley with some impressive musicianship from three music school kids—literally, the band—featuring Matthew Tavares on keys, Chester Hansen on bass and Alex Sowinski on drums—are barely, if even, of drinking age. Playing with speed and fury, they're already announced to be back in Portland as part of this year's Project Pabst, next time at the Crystal in July with none other than Wu-Tang's Ghostface Killah (listen below) and Del the Funky Homosapien providing the vocals for their instrumental beats. CY
