Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings at First Avenue on 11/16/07

By: Joe Lang

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Sharon Jones - Photo by Alexa Jones

Since the dawn of the 21^st century, there has been a resurgence of bands carrying the torch of the Atlantic Records soul and R & B sounds of the early- to mid-sixties. Groups like the Quantic Soul Orchestra, The Budos Band and Lefties Soul Connection are conjuring up the gutbucket funk and groove of artists like James Brown and The Meters in a way that would make the recently departed Ahmet Ertegun proud. But it would be hard to believe that anyone is doing it as authentically as Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings.

While Amy Winehouse is touring Europe, the band that brought her to prominence took the stage with the lady who puts the fun in funk. The 51-year-old “Queen of Funk” might be eclipsed by the Quantic Soul Orchestra’s Alice Russell in the vocal department, but in terms of energy and charisma, and the whole funkin’ package, Ms. Jones is second to none. Jones took the stage to deafening applause for a charged version of “I’m Not Gonna Cry.” Jones came in hot in the mix and her microphone fed back drowning her out during the first verse. After asking to be lowered in the mix, Jones told the audience “I’m gonna try that last verse again,” to the listeners’ delight. Before the next tune, Jones thanked the sold-out audience for making it her first sold-out performance and let everyone know she wore the dress she had wore at The Apollo. 

The band jumped into “How Do I Let a Good Man Down?” from the Naturally album followed by “Nobody’s Baby” from the newest record, 100 Days, 100 Nights. Jones apologized for not having the background singers featured on the cut and was met with enthusiasm when she asked the audience to sing the parts as she prompted. And the audience participation segment of the show continued on. Jones invited several audience members up on stage to dance to a vamp as she danced, sang, encouraged or even made fun of the dancers depending on their performance. The band then tackled “100 Days, 100 Nights,” followed by “Be Easy” from the newest album and “Got to Be the Way It Is,” from Dap-Dippin’ with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. 

Jones then kicked off her shoes and did a little story time about how she envisioned the dances of her ancestors, African and Native American. Shaking all over and head banging, Jones had the audience smiling from ear to ear with her charisma, energy and abandon as she let it all out on stage. 

The Dap Kings - Photo by Alexa Jones

Jones put back on the shoes and the band jumped into “How Long Do I Have to Wait?” followed by the closer “What Have You Done For Me Lately?” Jones left the stage and eventually the Dap-Kings finished their outro and followed. After a thunderous applause, Griptite came back and asked what they meant. “Are you applauding because you are happy the show is over?” Griptite asked. The emcee was met with a rousing negative to his inquiry. After asking similar questions, each met with more shouts of “NO!” he finally asked, “Are you applauding because you want to hear some more?” The audience burst into applause, and the rest of the Dap-Kings returned to the stage for a couple more instrumentals and Jones joined them for James Brown’s “There Was a Time” as Jones imitated Brown’s signature dance moves with relish and abandon before calling it a night.

So Morecowbell.net’s and Reveille Magazine’s Kyle Matteson got what he wanted: a sold-out show for (formerly) one of the most underrated bands on the scene today. No, the music on display for the sold-out crowd wasn’t anything novel or amazing. It was, however, full of humility, love, sweat and life-affirming groove that amounted to easily the most fun(ky) show of the year.

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Location Info: First Avenue
Artist Info: Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings

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