Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings w/ Fitz and the Tantrums @ Mercy Lounge 5/14/10

So this blog is a little bit delayed, but that is not because the show wasn't one of the most fun shows I have been to lately!

When I arrived at The Cannery on Friday, May 14th, I was excited beyond belief to see Sharon Jones, and I was pleasantly surprised by Fitz and the Tantrums. I actually met a couple that came all the way from St. Louis just to see them and after their show I understood why.
The male/female duo that comprises the vocal section of Fitz and the Tantrums is what makes their modern day soul music so unique and catchy. In addition to having a obviously talented group of musicians backing them (their drummer was playing with them for the first time that night), the two vocalists commanded the stage not only with their vocals, but with their all out, non-stop, energetic stage presence. This is a live show not to miss. Next time around they will more than likely be in a smaller room, so be sure you're there. As the band wrapped up their set, they received tremendous applause and lots of excited fans rushed to meet them at the merch booth.

As the time between sets grew shorter and shorter, I grew more and more excited about what I thought Sharon Jones would play during her set. While I ended up hearing about half of what I wanted to hear, the whole set was still incredible. Featuring mostly songs off of her newest album, "I Learned The Hard Way", Jones and the Dap-Kings pulled out all of the stops and showed the audience what it is like to feel and hear the new songs live. Song after song, you could see the audience bobbing the heads to the new tunes, which is undoubtedly a foreshadowing of the fact that this new record is going to launch Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings to new heights in their career. If you haven't heard her new record, be sure to buy it. If you're feeling a little unsure, you can listen to the album in full on her MySpace before you head out to Grimey's to pick-up a copy.

www.myspace.com/sharonjonesandthedapkings

www.myspace.com/fitzsoulmusic



Other pictures from the night:






























(The two above are of Fitz and the Tantrums)



















(Above is Homer from The Dap-Kings)