We all know the feeling you get when you hear a particular song that instantly transports you to a previous moment in your life, perhaps reminding you of that summer love, your first heartbreak, or that unforgettable weekend away with your friends. Music has the power to not only create emotion within us but also capture our deepest thoughts and feelings, forever encasing them in time and memory. At the Apollo Theatre recently, Sharon Jones reminded the audience that singers as well as listeners share this magical relationship with music. She revealed that her song “Get Up and Get Out” held a different meaning for her when she first recorded it then it does now after conquering her battle against cancer. Sharon introduced the song by telling us a story, a personal narrative about how she came to be on stage that night singing for us. She stated that while in the hospital she looked in the mirror and saw a weak shadow of herself looking back, which she didn’t like. So she posted a photo herself on Facebook. Her family and friends responded by telling her, “Sharon we love you bald, Sharon we love you with hair, Sharon we want you to come back.” It was their love and encouragement that gave her the strength to get up, get out, and come back to her music.
Sharon Jones And The Dap Kings | “Get Up And Get Out”
Standing on the stage that night, Sharon explained that since “Get Up And Get Out” held a higher meaning for her, she needed some extra help singing it. She needed to give it a lil bit of a Tina Turner feel. Dressed in a classy, full black dress Sharon embraced the spirit of Tina and the heart of soul. She started the song “nice and slow” moving her hips back and forth then speed up with vibrant energy. Taking off her silver high heels, Sharon hopped around the stage, shaking, twisting, and shouting that she had something to shout about, “in my church we shout when we are happy, we shout when we are sad, and tonight I am shouting because I am happy to be alive!” Sharon followed “Get Up And Get Out” with the hits “100 days 100 nights” and “Retreat.” When she sang one of my favorites, “If You Call,” her voice was passionate, strong, and full of sweet soulful hooks. During her long notes, I could almost feel the pain, as if I was the one waiting for the call. Never in my life have I witnessed a more powerful performance then at that moment. Looking around, it was hard to find a dry eye in the audience. What a voice, what a story, what a woman!
Antibalas
For more then a decade, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings have spearheaded a soul and funk revivalist movement intended on capturing the height of soul, from the mid 1960s to the mid 1970s, through their indie Brooklyn label Daptone Records. The record label organized this unique show at the Apollo naming it “A Daptone Super Soul Revue.” It featured a collaboration of several talents including Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens, Charles Bradley & Menahan Street Band, The Sugarman Three, and Antibalas. Soul sister Naomi Shelton was a classic jewel to see. She looked like a sweet darling while her voice echoed power and purity. When singing “A Change Is Gonna Come”, Naomi and her backing group demonstrated gospel at its finest. Charles Bradley’s performance closely resembled legendary James Brown’s music, movements, and costumes. He wore multiple flashy suits with statement jewelry which he stripped down throughout the show. Charles moved wildly around the stage dropping to his knees with the microphone as well as doing the James Brown split. His voice was intense and raw while singing about heartache and pain.
Sharon Jones And the Dap-Kings | “If You Call”
The afrobeat orchestra, Antibalas won the crowd with their jazzy, latin, funk, groovy rhythms that were as original as their description. The eleven piece orchestra played several long songs effortlessly in sync creating one rhythm and one voice. Antibalas additionally performed numerous solos that highlighted the diverse talent of the band members. The lead singer and percussionist Amayo, was a character in his own. Although some of his lyrics seemed foreign to me, it didn’t stop me or the audience from singing and dancing along to the band’s feel good music. Daptone Records ended the show Motown style with all the family coming back on stage to sing a few more numbers. The leader of this family, Sharon Jones, showed her humble nature and love for her fans by staying late after the show to take pictures with every fan who requested it. She was just recently nominated for a Grammy, and after this experience, she definitely has my vote.
Writer + Photographer + Video | Elizabeth Ramirez
Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens | “A Change Is Gonna Come”
Sharon Jones And The Dap Kings | “100 Days 100 Nights”
Charles Bradley | “Heartache And Pain”
Sharon Jones And The Dap Kings | “Every Beat Of My Heart”
Super Soul Revue Daptone Records | “Family Affair”
