Friday, April 16, 2010

MUSIC: Folk Friday {Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings}

It's Friday & it's supposed to be a little rainy this weekend. Boo! My mood is all about summer & not having anything in particular to do- which is pretty far from reality. So, in order to perpetuate that mood, today I'm featuring a band that will bring some funk to your soul {see what I did there}, get you up on your feet, & hopefully put a little smile on your face. I'm in the mood for some jazzy, funky soul, so today's featured group is:




Sharon was born in 1956 in Georgia, but moved to New York at a young age. She has always pursued a career as a professional musician, but has only relatively recently found success. She is the lead singer to the Daptone Records session musicians -the Dap Kings.



In 2002, they released their first studio album -Dap Dippin' with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. In 2005, Naturally was released, which was followed by 100 Days, 100 Nights in 2007. Most recently, I Learned the Hard Way, was released on April 6, 2010. They are described as being the leaders in the soul/funk revival movement - her voice is very 1960s/1970s.



Sharon can be seen in the Denzel Washington movie: The Great Debaters {2007} as the juke joint singer, Lila. Their cover of Woody Guthrie's {yes!} song This Land Is Your Land is on the soundtrack & in the beginning of the George Clooney movie: Up in the Air {2009}.




In addition to various shows, they can be seen at three festivals this summer. Newport Folk Festival {I went last summer} in Newport, RI on Sunday, August 1, The Discover Jazz Festival in Burlington, VT on Thursday, June 10 & the Appel Farm Arts & Music Festival in Elmer, NJ on Saturday, June 5. A list of their tour dates can be found here- plenty of chances to see them!


Watch below for 100 Days, 100 Nights off of the album of the same name from 2007:


1 comment:

  1. They are going to be at the Newport Folk Festival this year!

    ReplyDelete

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