As anyone with even a shred of livin’ under their belt can tell you, it can be a dangerous thing to try to recreate the past. Even when all the necessary elements seem to be in place, you inevitably miss an intangible that made what was what it was.
I’ve always guessed that this is why I never hear contemporary soul music that matches what came out in the genre’s golden era. Even if there were musicians out there who were interested in trying to recreate that sound and feeling, the music that comes out as a result just sounds too contemporary despite itself, and lacks that old production magic. And that’s not to say that nostalgia alone drives that magic; it’s to say that the old sound was just better. Even the great contemporary soul artists I’ve heard (like Ryan Shaw) just don’t sound quite right. It’s like the music is out of context.
Which is why I’m so blown away and thrilled to have stumbled across Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings. Not being the hippest cat around, I hadn’t heard of them until a couple of weeks ago when I randomly saw the video for the single “100 Days, 100 Nights” on YouTube. Like any other chump who’d fire this video up, I figured it was straight outta the ’60s. Not so. This album just dropped in October.
And, thank heavens, they are on eMusic. I love it when I find a band that makes my monthly eMusic choices so easy to make. The only frustrating thing about having found these guys: they played at Black Cat last night– more or less right around the corner from my house– but this nasty case of mono kept me from the show.
Bless you, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings. Ain’t nothing like soul music to put me and keep me in a good mood, and I have a feeling I’m gonna be hooked on your music for a while now.
“Be Easy” by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
“Let Them Knock” by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
Both tracks from 100 Days, 100 Nights.
mgdistrict
smitch
jimmymontreal
Thanks for posting these, I just discovered her as well. Sharon Jones has got serious soul. And your mention of the Black Cat brought back great memories. I used to live at 15th and N St and made the walk up to Black Cat about 3 times a month for many a year. Happy Holidays!
Very cool, thanks for stopping by, Brian. Always good to hear from people in the hood, past and present.
[...] Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings Do the Impossible [image] As anyone with even a shred of livin’ under their belt can tell you, it can be a dangerous thing to try […] [...]
I hear ya. Funny you made comment on this and Spoon - Great minds, great minds
Thank you for this! It’s so hard to find this kind of authenticity. And thank you also for mentioning that the video is not from the 60s… I love the good old days that I never saw!