When I saw
Sharon Jones And The Dap-Kings in January at Antone's I was
simply amazed at how it felt like a complete experience with
an actual intro, show and outro. I also really enjoyed
how once Sharon took the stage it immediately became hers to
control, which meant that the band went as she went and the
crowd's eyes never strayed anywhere else unless it was to
quickly peer at the people she pulled onstage to dance with
her. It was, and still is, one of the most
entertaining performances I've ever seen.
Now I know that all of that makes it seem like in my eyes
Sharon Jones And The Dap-Kings could never disappoint, but
there was part of me that was more than a little
curious/worried as to how well they're shtick would work
outside of the blues/soul-esque atmosphere of Antone's and
inside of the vastness of Stubb's. Would the large
crowd buy into the vintage presentation? Would
Sharon's charm reach the chatty drunkards that tend to
litter that venue? Could she possibly out-sing the
other drunkards who know the words to every song? All,
in my humble opinion, were legitimate questions that I had
floating around in my head prior to show.
As it turns out, I had no real reason to have such worries.
Once the band came out and intro'd Sharon the crowd was
nothing but smiling faces and people trying to dance around
in their limited personal space. At no point was there
pushing, drunken screaming or any of the other things that
seem to come with having to share your favorite artists with
the masses. It honestly just made me wonder when
Sharon will officially be taking over the world, as I don't
see how anyone couldn't appreciate that golden voice and/or
the way she makes you want to leave a tip for her and the
guys on your way out. Seriously.
You need to go see them. It will make your life
better.
:Sharon
Jones And The Dap-Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights:
Extra Tidbit:
I think that one of the reasons that the drunkards never
took over was because of Sharon's actions at the beginning
of the show. She invited some ladies onstage and, of
course, two managed to make it up there uninvited.
Sharon wasn't happy, but she let it slide...until one of
them started to sing into am open mic. This lasted one
line before there was a quick "Hell No!" from Sharon and
even quicker shuffle from the singer to get the ditz over to
security. It was brilliant and I thought it let
everyone at Stubb's know that they were now in Sharon's
world, so they better pay attention. Or else.
- John Laird -
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