Too Close
Bradford was not just a powerful singer who could go from croon to shout without hesitation but also one of the best songwriters of the Golden Age of Gospel. This album, which contains 29 recordings (including seven unreleased takes) from 1953 to 1958, showcases both sides of his talent. Bradford often came up with vivid images like "Life's Candlelight" or "The Lifeboat" for his spiritual messages and then proclaimed his tidings in a bluesy voice set against the tightly arranged harmonies of his backing group. --Geoffrey Himes