I often lament the fact that so much of what’s being passed as new music these days is nothing more than regurgitated sounds of previous eras. The trend to be new-new-this or neo-this or post-that on more than one occasion caused me to implore that I just want to hear something new. There’s nothing really new in that regard about Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings latest I Learned the Hard Way, but it’s no secret what the band and their leader aimed to accomplish: a true to form soul record.
Let’s be clear: it’s not neo-soul, it’s not post-anything – this is the pure funkiness of Motown and the silky soulfulness of Stax wrapped into one authentic and now signature soul sound.
Vintage? Yes. Stale? No.
Would it be nice to see more growth from album to album? Perhaps, but this album is less raw, more skillfully crafted and better shows of Jones’ vocal range than the group’s previous efforts.
Everything about I Learned the Hard Way is professional. Jones is a pro, a singer’s singer who knows her instrument and how to use it. The band is so tight you almost miss it, forgetting how difficult capturing such a sound and mood can be while still hitting all of the changes.
The fact is, a voice like this should be heard and music styled like this should still be made. “Money” a smart commentary on our current economic condition, shows off Jones’ range, intensity and ability to relate to a song. It mixes big horn riffs with a rumbling rhythm that’s all attitude. “If You Call” demonstrates Jones’ skill at delivering lyrics gently, calmly, but with all the emotion found in her passionate wails. There’s a pain in her voice that makes her believable. She’s living and dying with the song, not just cutting a vocal and collecting a check.
At the mid point of the album comes “The Reason.” This instrumental number allows the Dap-Kings to shine. Possibly the sharpest band in the business the Dap-Kings are the reason Sharon Jones isn’t just another talented singer. Not only do they provide the backbone to the grooves that are a staple of Jones’ sound, the intricate horns, funk driven bass, raw guitars and cool organs legitimize the classic sound and deepen the soulfulness.
The closest the band comes to stepping away from a classic soul sound is on “Better Things" featuring a piano riff that sounds like it was made to be a hip-hop sample. Jones’ delivery is powerful, strong and gritty. There’s an early 90’s Mary J. Blige or Mariah Carey R&B vibe to the song.
The title track and the opening “The Game Gets Old” share a similar cinematic feel, like they belong on the soundtrack of film alongside Curtis Mayfield. There’s a breezy, funky and jazzy feel these songs feature almost like they took tracks from the Menahan Street Band (a Dap-Kings side-project steeped in mid 70’s groove) and layered in Jones’ superb vocals.
Ultimately you want to see a band grow from album to album as progression keeps listeners interested, and there could be more of that on I Learned the Hard Way. But Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings may just be the rare anomaly that’s able to move forward while looking back by staying true to classic sounds in a contemporary world.
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Catch Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings on Friday, May 21 at the Vic Theatre. Tickets are still available right now at Ticketmaster.com for only $22! The show kicks off at 8:00 p.m.
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Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings - "I Learned the Hard Way"
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cckkzRDBAo
By Andrew Kahn \ 1 comment
Here are three there’s-no-TV-series-finale-tonight-so-there’s-not-an-excuse-not-to-go reasons to head out to the Double Door this evening for a hot line-up of local talent…
1. Headlining tonight is The Sweeps, one of our 10 Chicago Bands to Watch in 2010. Last time I checked, it was still 2010, so this gives you a perfect opportunity to do what we say and watch the power pop band – and be ready to hear some of their new recently debuted songs.
2. The gig is a benefit for the American Red Cross in what’s being called “Wine From The Moon ‘Bands’ Together for Haiti.” Last time I checked the folks in Haiti still needed our help, so this gives you a perfect opportunity to donate (perhaps again) to this worthy cause.
3. Everyone can get excited about an all local, all Chicago line-up, right? Tonight there’s a little of everything with the hard rock of The Outbreaks, the rock-reggae of Jackpot Donnie, the classic-psychedelic rock Model Stranger and the funky jamming On the Run. Surely you can find something in there you like, no?
9:00 p.m. Tuesday, 5/25. Double Door. 21+ $7 By Andrew Kahn \ comments
