Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings – I Learned The Hard Way

From Sam....
Gawd!! I hope the walls don’t cave in on us THIS SUNDAY, Strangers!!
Sunday, May 13 will be the loudest Stay Strange yet!! Frank Melendez and Riververb! Also on the bill is the equally loud Actuary from Los Angeles. Plus a rare performance by artist Gerritt Wittmer.
SUNDAY, MAY 13-
RIVERVERB/ACTUARY/GERRITT WITTMER
THE KAVA GALLERY - 2804 KETTNER BLVD - 7PM - $5.00 - ALL AGES SHOW!
Riververb is always in a constant change, and I hear that the latest incarnation is the best so far! Judge for yourself! it’s some heavy stuff! Face morphing grinder sludge. Last time Riververb played, no slayed, the smoke turned black from monolithic chunks of acid-noise.
Actuary shake the shit loose! Los Angeles breeds some sick stuff and this by no means drops the ball. Not only are this tunes in your face, it’s in your skull too! Mean ass nitro venom. Gory!!
Gerritt Wittmer is an artist in the darkest sense possible. I’m not sure what he’ll be doing at this month’s Stay Strange, but if it’s anything like his performance at LUFF, it’s going to be scary!!!

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Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings – I Learned The Hard Way Daptone Records Keith Boyd 6.24.10

The usual line to take when writing about Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings is to go into a bit of their hardscrabble history and conclude with the original spin they put on Stax-era Soul music. While most critics give them props for the authentic quality and textural elements of their sound I rarely read anything simply praising them for what they make. And what they make is really WONDERFUL music.

I could wax on and on about the historical references and sound echoes from sources such as Tina Turner to Otis Redding to The Staple Singer and The Temprees. I could, but I’m not going to. Okay I guess I sort of just did but it ends there. Like another great band, The Black Crowes, I find that too much emphasis on the roots or influences of a group gets in the way of enjoying the great stuff they make for our ears today. To cut it short Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings make Soul music with power, heart and integrity. It speaks to the millions of ways love can come into and go out of our lives. The rhythms propel the tunes along with a punch and swagger that is easily met by the magnificent vocal presence that is Ms. Jones.

Produced by Bosco Mann and recorded on an Ampex eight-track tape machine by Gabriel Roth in Daptone Records’ House of Soul studios, the record drips with a warmth and spontaneity that pleases the ear and shakes the ass. From the splendid Philly-Soul fanfare that ushers in “The Game Gets Old” at the top of the record, to the stripped down “Mama Don’t Like My Man” at the tail, the Dap-Kings weave seamlessly through both the most crafted and simple arrangements with subtlety and discipline. Although I would say that for this listener it is the smoky lushness of Sharon Jones’ voice and lyrics that are the central story The Dap Kings deserve special mention them as incredible backing band. The aforementioned “The Game Gets Old” welcomes the listener with a line that immediately shows you why the horn section is so highly regarded. The rhythm section is locked-in solid, as well as guitar and backing vocals, but it’s for certain that the horns are the reason why there is that “& The Dap Kings” on the back of Sharon Jones’ name. They do cut loose solo style solo on the instrumental “The Reason”, and in doing so shine and give off sparks. On the rest of the album they compliment and support Jones’ voice perfectly; whether it be in the passion of “Money” or the minor key blues of “If You Call”.

“I Learned The Hard Way” is both a Saturday night and Sunday morning kind of record. It’s good for what ails you. In its’ supreme groove and texture there is ample richness and power to be found. Bonus time San Diego! They are playing at The Belly Up Tavern this Sunday! I’ll see you there. I’ll be the one with a drink in one hand swaying in ecstasy. Oh yeah…that’ll be EVERYONE!