Charles Bradley: The Sage, Gateshead

Most people would have given up on their fantasy years ago, but Soul singer, Charles Bradley`s dream finally came true when, at the age of 62, he was discovered by the owner of Daptone Records and the rest, as they say is history.

Inspired by the legendary James Brown, Bradley's life has been hard and at times tragic. He was abandoned by his mother and spent years drifting across The States playing shows in small clubs. As stability beckonede, his brother was murdered a few doors away.

Bradley's debut in the region, as headliner for the Gateshead International Jazz Festival, displayed his deep, soulful, gravel-edged voice evoking the golden era of soul with hints of Otis Redding and James Brown and, at times, the Blues growl of Howlin' Wolf. The pain etched across his face and the heartfelt delivery during his signature song The World (Is Going Up in Flames) reflected the tough hand that life had dealt him as genuine passion and emotion permeated from every pore.

It wasn't all downbeat, there was a vibrant, Put The Flame On It and the touching ballad Lovin' You Baby. The Funk drive of Ain't It A Sin and the deep, hulking groove of Love Bug Blues were deeply engrained with Bradley`s James Brown influences.

There was also nifty dance moves and some incredible age-defying acrobatic splits that would have made Van Hale's Diamond Dave proud and made the men in the crowd collectively wince, but Bradley never so much as missed a beat. Don't try this at home kiddies.

Mick Burgess