Now THIS Is the Shiznit
OK – I am prone to hyperbole and unequivocal assertions, I know. But this video literally blew my ass back into the chair and made me ponder the nature of my sooooul, baby. I just discovered Sharon Jones & the Dap King in a trip across the Internet I won't bother to explain here, and I must admit, it's got me in goose bumps and wondering how I've been missing out on this revival soul music movement that's been going on and apparently (hopefull) getting a little traction.
The song below – "100 Days, 100 Nights" – is not a remake or retread; it's a new song made in the old school genre that never got old – they just stopped making a lot of new songs, as happens when times change. But who knew? This is the song that's apparently going all over the 'net real fast, partially helped, I think, by the fact that the video was shot like a 50's TV performance, which made it looked extra real, enabled by shooting it with 2 old television studio cameras from the time purchase for $50 each on eBay. But that's just window dressing, since Jones could have been in a bathrobe sitting on her couch eating a pint of Ben & Jerry's and this song would have blown me away, still. DAMN.
Unbelievable. And does she got soul? Did she pay her dues? Read up, from the Boston Herald:
You've worked at Rikers Island and as an armored-car guard. Aren't those odd jobs for a female soul singer?
In the '80s they told me I didn’t have the look. They said I was too dark-skinned, too short, too fat and too old. So I just took various day jobs but I never stopped singing. I was working with choirs and wedding bands and doing occasional studio work. But from the late '70s through the '80s and '90s, I had to do all kinds of bad government jobs like working at Rikers.
Why did you keep trying after so many said you didn't fit the part?
I knew I had the voice but I didn't have the looks. They wanted me as a Milli Vanilli. They wanted to use my voice and have someone else up there on the stage. But I wasn't going to get involved in some mess like that. I felt that God gave me a gift and that's what kept me holding on.
You don't worry that you're too old at this point?
Maceo Parker is 64 and is still out there doing it and getting his career revived. I shared a stage with Charles Walker and his band, and he’s sounding great in his 60s. So I'm having a ball. Ben E. King even came out at one show and asked me, “Who are you and where have been?”
Dammit! I know what tune will be in MY head all day long.
Hell yes.
I was falling asleep far too late one night, Detroit public radio drifting in and out of my flagging consciousness. Then, BAM! Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings come on with "this land is your land", a remake of that ol' Woody Guthrie standby. Suddenly wide awake, I got online, had to, had to get that mp3. Best cover ever. Should be the damn national anthem.
Hope all is well in snowy Seoul. Crazy, you get a first snow before we do in Wisconsin. Congrats with coming out as Feetman... :)
Posted by: matty | November 20, 2007 at 01:38 PM
Well, I humbly concede I managed to beat you on that one... I was playing Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings videos from Youtube - especially 100 days 100 nights - to my Freshman classes three weeks ago - but struck just a tad of racial resentment I thought...
Posted by: rmeurant | November 20, 2007 at 02:04 PM
However we get there, my man. Hehe.
Racial resentment? Why? Girl paid her dues. No need for hateration in this dancerie.
Posted by: The Metropolitician | November 20, 2007 at 02:06 PM
Some of my students seemed a little miffed by the videos... I sensed a little racial reaction on their part...
Posted by: rmeurant | November 20, 2007 at 04:29 PM
Love it when she slows it down... another of her videos has great dancing... nutaswhitco's "Sharon Jones - Dropped In To See What Condition My Condition"... how 'bout including that one too?
Posted by: rmeurant | November 20, 2007 at 04:37 PM
Yeah - but do you know the source of their being "miffed?" Doesn't seem like anything that would actully bother anyone.
Posted by: The Metropolitician | November 20, 2007 at 05:46 PM
Nice! It's amazing how much good music you'll find off the beaten path.
Posted by: Civil Heart | November 20, 2007 at 07:02 PM
Great song. Thanks for the introduction.
Posted by: Mike McStay | November 20, 2007 at 09:51 PM
Well, I know what my next CD purchase will be. Thanks.
rmeurant, I've been showing James Brown videos to my students for years. It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World always gets jaws to hit the floor. I know for a fact I've ruined K-pop for some of them with that religious experience.
Posted by: Bah | November 20, 2007 at 11:52 PM
Hm- I wonder how long it is until a Korean artist redoes it and it becomes as much a staple at bars and restaurants as "Congratulations" for birthdays except for 100-day couple celebrations?
Posted by: Kim | November 24, 2007 at 11:11 AM