Artist Profile |
About: Robert Bradley was born blind in Evergreen, Alabama. His story is part legend, part true determination but all together a picture of music and strong willed spirit. Robert’s music, like his life is an enlightening enigma, transcending the borders of rock, blues and R&B.
Five years after their last studio record, Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise delivers Out of the Wilderness, which releases April 21, 2009 on Quarter 2 Three Records. This long-awaited album is the fifth major release from the blind artist who illuminates his listeners with his lyrical and musical vision.
A former RCA and Vanguard artist, Robert is returning to his roots in Out of the Wilderness. Across an intriguing selection of new material, Robert performs with a passionate sincerity whether the subject is his daughter leaving home for the first time in the unusually up-tempo “Beautiful Girl,” or his yearning for true love in the achingly romantic “Gotta Find a Woman,” or his heartfelt longing for his home in the ballad to his state “Alabama,” or just a brother living in “Americaland.” The ten song emotional journey exposes Robert doing what he does best - captivate with his unmistakable soulfully expressive voice that is deepened by a sense of his hard-won personal life experience.
“This record brings me back to the time when I started out as a singer-songwriter, where the music did not need the New York Philharmonic to make it real. It’s just me at the piano with the musicians around me finding my groove. I wanted to just be Robert and sing straight like Jim Reeves on ‘Put Your Sweet Lips a Little Closer to the Phone.’ I wanted to do a record that was innocent. That’s why I say Out of the Wilderness because it is like I’ve been reborn,” explains Bradley.
A year in the making, Out of the Wilderness showcases a brilliant collaboration between artist and producer Bruce Robb with Bradley’s raw authentic spirit equally matched by one of music production’s purists. Robb’s vintage analog recording techniques and a musician’s soul create the sublime sonic landscape that pairs the rich gospel-honed vocals and bluesman’s undressed piano style with superlative musicianship by guitarists Matthew J. Ruffino and Zachary Throne, bassist Larry “Bones” Dennison, drummer Oscar Seaton, percussionists Craig Krampf and Scot Little Bihlman, and Robb himself on B3 and Wurlitzer.
“What makes this record unique is that it is coming from a place that is pure feel, something that is not easy to do. Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles… there just aren’t that many of them. It takes a special kind of artist, and that’s what makes this record so honest. It’s that irresistible groove,” describes Robb.
With the added magic of being one of the final recordings from the famous Cherokee Studios, the resulting album is best described as classic R&B that is remarkably contemporary, and everything a listener and fan can hope for.
The songs “Love You in the Daytime,” “Cryin’ My Eyes Out,” and “Everybody Wanna Party” are featured in the motion picture Love N’ Dancing starring Amy Smart and Billy Zane due in US theatres May 2009.
Alabama Governor Bob Riley has awarded Robert Bradley a Certificate of Commendation for the song “Alabama,” which was formally dedicated to the state. To read or download a copy of Robert Bradley’s dedication letter, please visit the official website.
Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise will be touring extensively throughout 2009.
www.RobertBradleysBlackwaterSurprise.com
www.Myspace.com/RobertBradleysBlackwaterSurprise
Publicist: Betsie Brown, Blind Raccoon, 901.278.6850, betsie@blindraccoon.com
Five years after their last studio record, Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise delivers Out of the Wilderness, which releases April 21, 2009 on Quarter 2 Three Records. This long-awaited album is the fifth major release from the blind artist who illuminates his listeners with his lyrical and musical vision.
A former RCA and Vanguard artist, Robert is returning to his roots in Out of the Wilderness. Across an intriguing selection of new material, Robert performs with a passionate sincerity whether the subject is his daughter leaving home for the first time in the unusually up-tempo “Beautiful Girl,” or his yearning for true love in the achingly romantic “Gotta Find a Woman,” or his heartfelt longing for his home in the ballad to his state “Alabama,” or just a brother living in “Americaland.” The ten song emotional journey exposes Robert doing what he does best - captivate with his unmistakable soulfully expressive voice that is deepened by a sense of his hard-won personal life experience.
“This record brings me back to the time when I started out as a singer-songwriter, where the music did not need the New York Philharmonic to make it real. It’s just me at the piano with the musicians around me finding my groove. I wanted to just be Robert and sing straight like Jim Reeves on ‘Put Your Sweet Lips a Little Closer to the Phone.’ I wanted to do a record that was innocent. That’s why I say Out of the Wilderness because it is like I’ve been reborn,” explains Bradley.
A year in the making, Out of the Wilderness showcases a brilliant collaboration between artist and producer Bruce Robb with Bradley’s raw authentic spirit equally matched by one of music production’s purists. Robb’s vintage analog recording techniques and a musician’s soul create the sublime sonic landscape that pairs the rich gospel-honed vocals and bluesman’s undressed piano style with superlative musicianship by guitarists Matthew J. Ruffino and Zachary Throne, bassist Larry “Bones” Dennison, drummer Oscar Seaton, percussionists Craig Krampf and Scot Little Bihlman, and Robb himself on B3 and Wurlitzer.
“What makes this record unique is that it is coming from a place that is pure feel, something that is not easy to do. Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles… there just aren’t that many of them. It takes a special kind of artist, and that’s what makes this record so honest. It’s that irresistible groove,” describes Robb.
With the added magic of being one of the final recordings from the famous Cherokee Studios, the resulting album is best described as classic R&B that is remarkably contemporary, and everything a listener and fan can hope for.
The songs “Love You in the Daytime,” “Cryin’ My Eyes Out,” and “Everybody Wanna Party” are featured in the motion picture Love N’ Dancing starring Amy Smart and Billy Zane due in US theatres May 2009.
Alabama Governor Bob Riley has awarded Robert Bradley a Certificate of Commendation for the song “Alabama,” which was formally dedicated to the state. To read or download a copy of Robert Bradley’s dedication letter, please visit the official website.
Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise will be touring extensively throughout 2009.
www.RobertBradleysBlackwaterSurprise.com
www.Myspace.com/RobertBradleysBlackwaterSurprise
Publicist: Betsie Brown, Blind Raccoon, 901.278.6850, betsie@blindraccoon.com
Music |
Musicians / Members:
Robert Bradley - Lead Vocals / Piano
Matthew Ruffino - Guitar
Zachary Throne - Guitar
Larry Dennison - Bass Guitar
Oscar Seaton - Drums
Craig Krampf - Percussion
Bruce Robb
Latest Blog Posts and Articles |
Billboard Magazine Loves Robert Bradley!!!! - Blog Post Read the Review: May 02, 2009 ETOut of the WildernessThere's no better purveyor of the swampy waters of roots musictoday... Read more » Out of the Wilderness - News Item Out of the Wilderness is now available on Amazon.com! More information about purchasing can be acquired at our website or... Read more »
Musical Experiences |
Since he was just a child, Robert Bradley loved to mimic the vocal style of the Blind Boys of Alabama. Later in life, as a performer in the Eastern Market in Detroit, Robert developed his unique style. Incredibly, through exposure of his raw musical talent on the streets, Robert acquired a record contract, earned the respect of a backing band, and even got the chance to perform alongside Macy Gray in the HBO film “Lackawanna Blues.”
Sounds Like |
Peter Gabriel, Randy Newman, Ray Charles, Bob Marley
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