Thanking Charles Bradley

Photographic Evidence 
by 5342 Studios

Charles Bradley at Newport Folk
Fort Adams State Park
Newport, RI 
Sun July 29, 2012

Seems like we're doing a disproportionate amount of saying-our-goodbyes to all the good ones these days. It's incredibly sad to lose Charles Bradley. But to lose him during the context of today's cultural strife, this revived racism and all the social anxiety that politics can provide; .. well it just seems extraordinarily cruel. 

A Legend who touched the lives of three generations of fans and fellow musicians over his impressive career, I can't help but listen and conclude he still had more to offer us. And while I didn't know the man personally, I have loved his music, witnessed his live shows and got to feel "the cheer" up close. Both Bradley's set and his spirit were incredibly contagious.. He emanated a quiet joy. 

FULL-SIZED PHOTO ALBUM 
(OPENS IN A NEW WINDOW!)

These images were captured by 5342 Studios during the first of Charles' appearances at Newport Folk. It was the summer of 2012. Charles was a beloved figure, but especially so this day.  And all it took was to watch his exchanges with his fellow creators (almost all of their faces young and wide with smiles) to know this was a guy who got it. Seeing Charles Bradley channel energy to and from a crowd of like minded music lovers is something I will never, ever, forget. Thank you Charles Bradley." - Ryan Spaulding

CHARLES BRADLEY
Web / Fb / Tw

Can Rami Malek Save The Music?

Too late, my time has come,
Sends shivers down my spine,
Body's aching all the time.
Goodbye, everybody, I've got to go,
Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth.

I love the theoretical. And I love making music lists. You know. You've had the conversations.. The backdrop this time is a backyard cookout in your neighborhood. Picture yourself with a drink in your hand listening to some vaguely interesting music. All the kids are, for some reason, in the house. Cocktail-talk over a gas grill. "If you could go back in time to see any one band which one would it be?" 

About ten years ago, I changed my bucket list selection to Queen. And it hasn't moved ever since. Freddie Mercury is epic. The new biop, Bohemian Rhapsody could be the most dangerous thing to happen to my mind in a long time.

What's better is they didn't screw up the lead, giving the whole project a chance. Freddie will be played by the gifted Rami Malek (Mr. Robot, Two golden globe nominations.) Slated for a Christmas Day release which will be sure to capture some mainstream media and film festival love. I'll share the trailer as soon as it goes live.

Meanwhile, if a Freddie-Mercury-less Queen is of any interest to you, that band is on a brief break before embarking on an extensive European tour that will span until the end of the year. Australia in February 2018. All the dates are here.