Sharon Jones Diagnosed With Cancer. Cancels Tour & Upcoming Album. Get Well Sharon!!

A double dose of sad news has just been delivered as reports have confirmed Sharon Jones has been diagnosed with a form of bile duct cancer. According to my mother, a multi-time cancer survivor herself, Sharon should be fine. In the wake of her illness, Daptone Records has postponed the release of her album, Give the People What They Want, as well as all her planned concert appearances. 

The lovely Miss Sharon and I have crossed paths a couple of notable times. Once, you may remember, was when her and I shared the TV screen nearly equally at a taping of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. 

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The other was at a Valentine's Day show in 2009 when after her performance, she signed my record and gave me a big ol' kiss. She is one of the strongest, hardest working, most beautiful personalities in all of music today, my heart and prayers go out her and her family in their time of need. We here at #EDAS wish her a speedy, full recovery so she can get back to making our lives better with her amazing music and spirit. In the meantime here she is making it look just too easy with her Dap-King associates. 

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Let Them Knock

100 More Days

Day Number 265! Only 100 more to go on this psycho-musicological experiment. 

Time flies...I feel like it was only yesterday that I turned 25, had small panic attack and started this blog. Thanks to everyone that has been checking in in the days since, it's been quite an interesting ride. I look forward to the final push to see where this year-long journey takes me. Please stay tuned.

Song #265: Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights

Budos Butt

Last night I was fortunate enough to receive a friend's extra ticket to the Rocks Off Budos Band Boat Cruise. I am not naturally a big fan of boats, but I am a big fan of live music, so I obliged and It was the best decision ever. The music was great but paled in comparison to a chance encounter I had with a Budos Band fan. It was so crazy I had to write a Craigslist Missed Encounter about it: 

You were the Blond wearing an orange dress and a Backpack at the Budos Band Cruise last night, but no underwear... Luckily they were selling "Budos Rising" boyshorts at the Merch Table (Large, Nice). I was already intrigued when I overheard you talking about your commando situation (an interesting choice for a night cruise) but then when you immediately put them on and asked the Merch Girl to take pictures of your butt, I knew I wanted to learn more. I heard the pics were for your boyfriend but I'm sure we can work something out. How about Dinner, then I can take you to Victoria's Secret? 

Yes it happened. Also at one point the coast guard almost pulled our boat over with their boat, then it turns out they were just messing with us.


Song #189: The Budos Band - Scorpion

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

I read an article on the Band Bench on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Nearly equivalent to the bleachers at any sporting event, the Band Bench are a few rows of the audience dedicated to fans of the musical guest. Then at the end of the taping, these lucky few get to stand behind the band and dance on to the performance. When I heard that EDAS favorite, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings were slated to be there (4/28/10), I used some of my considerable New York Industry Influence to grab a pair of tickets (I really just visited this website and filled out the form and I was lucky enough to win 2 seats!! I thoroughly consider fellow NYers to do the same!). Before I knew it I was being herded like cattle throughout the bowels of the GE Building at 30 Rock for hours waiting on various lines and being yelled at by various Pages. 

Accompanying me was the lovely Lee, who's Theater Tech skills came in handy when it was time to chose a spot on the scaffolding. As you can see she is very wise and talented as we (me more) are visible throughout SJDK's performance of their hit single, Better Things, of their newest album I Learned The Hard Way. I am on the right side, and can be seen groovin' behind the Bassist (visual aid below).

The best part of MY performance comes at the end when Jimmy Fallon is thanking the guests and signing off, that's when I go into some sort of spastic Robot/Squid Combo maneuver, definitely not for amateurs... All in all it was a great (yet long) afternoon, but getting to watch such great action from not only Sharon Jones, not only the Dap Kings, not only Jimmy Fallon, Michael Caine, and (Mr. Show with Bob & David Alum) Mary Lynn Rajskub, but the world famous, legendary Roots Crew providing all the musical interludes as well. Below I posted the episode, (which should skip right to the music, if it doesn't then just skip ahead to the absolute last segment) Sorry about the NBCommercials.

Song #146: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - Better Things

No Seriously... Go to Rehab

Say what you will about Amy Winehouse, but she may have the best voice of the millennium. Unfortunately for her (and her fans), she is currently going down a similarly destructive path as some of the other contributors to Every Day, Another Song who are no longer with us.

Look at the punim on that beautiful Jewish girl on the right, then look at that horrible stick figure of a bag lady on the left. No one said "Musician" was the healthiest profession, but in this day of 24/7 paparazzi coverage why do we have to wait until something worse happens before we help her. I'm hoping she can pull herself together, put down the crack pipe, and get Back (to Black) in the studio.


Song #34: Amy Winehouse - Love is a Losing Game

Dap-Dippin

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings are a throwback to the old soul sounds of the 60's and 70's. Daptone Records, which comes straight out of Brooklyn is one of the coolest and truest labels making music today. Ms. Jones herself is a throwback to the olden times. From Augusta, Georgia, the same town as James Brown, she carries a voice and work ethic rarely seen in today's music. Maybe it is because she didn't receive her big break until she was 40, or maybe it is because she used to be a Corrections Officer at Rikers Island Prison, but she is as talented as she is humble. The rest of the Dap-Kings are über-talented supporting cast of hipsters, funksters, jazzmen, bluesmen, songwriters and record collectors. I saw them play last Valentine's Day at the Nokia Theater and the show was UNREAL. Here is Brooklyn Vegan's Report, including amazing photos by someone named Natasha Ryan (including the one below).

Unfortunately, the next day, Daptone Record's Brooklyn headquarters was robbed. Regardless, she put on the best show, and then she signed my copy of their newest album, 100 Day, 100 Nights, and then kissed me on the cheek. Amazing.

Song #9: Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Tell Me