March 28-April 3, 2002

musicpicks

Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise

Rock/Pop

It's probably safe to admit it now: Robert Bradley's story is more interesting than his music. Not that it's necessarily his fault; the music has a lot to live up to. Born blind and performing in church groups and pick-up bands, Bradley's the kind of guy whose recent good fortune gives you a warm feeling. Discovered busking on the streets of Detroit by his now-drummer Jeff Fowlkes and former band mates Andrew and Michael Nehra, Bradley now has three albums to his credit with the release of the Blackwater Surprise's New Ground (Vanguard). Though this installment features a mostly new backing band, the problem remains the same. RBBS has always been billed as the wizened old blind blues guy with the young whippersnappers. Me, I'd love to hear what Bradley sounded like on the day these kids found him, 'cuz they and their souped-up backing tracks have a way of making Bradley and his charismatic voice sound like just another Hootie.

Thu., March 28, 9 p.m., $14, North Star, 27th and Poplar sts., 215-922-LIVE, www.northstarbar.com.

—Brian Howard

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