Bradley bares his soul

Soul singer Charles Bradley found fame late in life, but is haunted by his past, writes Ed Power

CHARLES Bradley doesn’t mean to sound ungrateful. After a lifetime of obscurity, at the age of 65, the Brooklyn soul singer has achieved overnight musical celebrity. His latest tour is a sell out and he is one of the headliners at this weekend’s Body and Soul Festival at Ballinlough Castle in Co Westmeath. But there is a downside to success and it would be foolish and dishonest to pretend otherwise.

“It is very tiring,” he says, his voice heavy with weariness. “I adore going on stage and giving love to the audience and getting love back. The truth is, it takes a lot out of you. In between you have to work hard and keep your energy levels up. I’m trying not to tire myself out.”