Jones and Dap Kings mix soul, funk
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings treated the audience at the Keswick Theatre on Wednesday night to the sounds of classic soul, with a little funk sprinkled in for good measure.
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings treated the audience at the Keswick Theatre on Wednesday night to the sounds of classic soul, with a little funk sprinkled in for good measure.
Combining the elements of a classic soul revue and a foot-stomping dance party, Jones and her Dap Kings set the tone for an evening when sitting wouldn't be an option.
The Dap Kings, an eight-member band known for creating the retro sound of Amy Winehouse, floated on stage in all their '60s-era coolness. Complete with skinny ties, dark shades, horn section and a hype man who informed the audience that the "Dap Tones Super Soul Revue" was in effect for the evening.
After a few funky instrumental jams, powerhouse vocalist Jones, in all her black-fringed-dress glory, came out ready to party.
Jones belted out a high-energy version of "I'm Not Gonna Cry" with fervor, emphasizing her feelings with hip shakes and foot stomps across the stage.
Serving up a gritty rendition of "Nobody's Baby" from the group's latest release, 100 Days, 100 Nights proved the perfect segue for "How Do I Let a Good Man Down?" from 2005's Naturally.
Jones' vocal acrobatics and natural flair for storytelling played well off the quirky interpretive dance moves of an enthusiastic fan she invited to join her onstage.
Unreleased music like "If I Give You My Love" and "When You Love Me" received a warm reception, but familiar tunes like "Let Them Knock" and "My Man Is a Mean Man" were obvious audience favorites that kept the crowd on its feet.
It was difficult to see that Jones' spirits were ever down before she revealed that fact in a sentimental moment with the audience. Thanking them for their energy, Jones and the Dap Kings poured their souls into a funky, good-time version of "100 Days, 100 Nights."
The encore included a snippet of an audience request for "What if We Stopped Paying Taxes." A touching version of the spiritual "Answer Me" ended an evening where soul and funk collided to create the hippest kind of explosion.
