The Unbearable Banishment: On a Daptone Saturday night

Thursday, February 3, 2011

On a Daptone Saturday night

Mrs. Wife and I had a proper night out last Saturday. We saw Daptone recording artists Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. Ever hear of 'em? Fantastic. They're funk/soul/rhythm and blues masters. The Dap-Kings are the band you hear backing Amy Winehouse on her stunning Back to Black album. We saw them, appropriately enough, at the beautifully refurbished Count Basie Theater.

It's a big show with a dozen people on stage. It's an old-style R&B review with a Master of Ceremonies, opening acts and members of the band given solo turns. But Sharon Jones is the real master. It's been a long, long time since I've seen someone work a crowd the way she did. She told a great story about how she honed her skills in a wedding band. The band was a bunch of Italians and initially there was some push-back when the leader wanted to hire her. He told his band mates, "I can hire a white girl, but none of them can sing like SHE can." That settled that.

If they come within shouting distance of your town, do yourself (and your soul) a huge favor and go see them. I guarantee you an unforgettable night. Here's their tour schedule. Lucky Clevelanders can see them this Saturday night at the Beachland Ballroom. I have half a mind to drive out there and take in the show. And I'm not kidding. Here they are on a segment from Later with Jools Holland. By all means, turn it up, baby.


12 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cleveland is a little far to drive. From Cape Town.

February 3, 2011 at 8:25 AM  
Anonymous daisyfae said...

she's great. makes me sad to hear a voice like that, and see her gruelling tour schedule, and know that the supermodels of pop music are making a gazillion times more scratch for a whole lot less work..

February 3, 2011 at 8:40 AM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

Dolce: True enough, but think about it. It might be worth your while. Daisy lives just up I-71!

Daisy: She had a LOT to say about that subject! She said pop singers have no feeling. She said they need to study the old soul classics for an education. She also said we need to fight to not let them take music out of our schools. It was pretty inspirational stuff.

February 3, 2011 at 8:43 AM  
Blogger CiCi said...

There are true musicians like Sharon Jones who really want to share music and then there are the wannabes. Nice video. Glad you and your wife had a nice date night.

February 3, 2011 at 9:49 AM  
Blogger Ponita in Real Life said...

FanTAStic!! Man, what a voice! I'm gonna check out that tour schedule... I have my doubts about them coming to Winnipeg... but you never know!

February 3, 2011 at 11:04 AM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

TB: These guys are at the top of their game. They are masters of their craft. I wish I could send everyone to a performance. You can't NOT like it!

Ponita: They travel all over the world so you never know! Check their other YouTube vids, as well.

February 3, 2011 at 11:23 AM  
Blogger SY said...

Wow my kind of music.. soul and romance the perfect duet..
my first time hearing her music

February 3, 2011 at 1:37 PM  
Blogger Pat said...

You can always rely on Jools. She's great.
Are the Dab Kings British? There are elements of The Average White Band (whatever happenened to them) and Ian Dury's Blockheads.

February 4, 2011 at 4:26 AM  
Blogger Pat said...

Happenened?

February 4, 2011 at 4:28 AM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

Sy: Go onto YouTube and take a look at her other clips. They're pretty great, but nothing beats seeing them live.

Pat: The Dap-Kings are from Brooklyn! And I think the singer from AWB -- the redhead -- passed away. I think.

February 4, 2011 at 6:12 AM  
Blogger SJF said...

I've been a big fan for several years now and saw them perform at Summerstage a few summers back. Sharon Jones is a real dynamo onstage and it's so refreshing that a woman who was told she'd never make it in the business is now enjoying the recognition and respect she so deserves. She's no spring chicken but that gal can sing and it just goes to prove that it's never too late.

February 4, 2011 at 1:21 PM  
Blogger savannah said...

they are coming to SAVANNAH on march 24th! just heard from a friend, but can't find out where. xoxox

February 4, 2011 at 7:05 PM  

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