Sharon Jones got soul. Ms. Jones got so much soul, in fact, that people often compare her to James Brown. Could there be a more a more flattering compliment to someone who was born in the same town as the Godfather of Soul and grew up imitating his moves? No, there could not be a more flattering, or apt for that matter, comparison.
After the Dap Kings, the dynamite eight piece backing band that Amy Winehouse stole for a tour and a record, warmed up the crowd with about a half hour of groove inducing instrumentals, Sharon Jones was introduced as the star of the show. She immediately had the audience at the Minnesota State Fair's Leinie Lodge on board, saying she had a blast at the night before's free performance, also at the fair.
After summoning a few young women from the crowd to be her backup dancers for a song or two, Ms. Jones dismissed them and brought on a stream of young men who were thrilled to be onstage with her. Being a former Riker's Island prison guard, Sharon was easily able to escort an uninvited young man off stage until he was properly requested onstage.
A portion of the show was a James Brown tribute, with a medley of his songs and some mighty fancy footwork:
Here's a shot from the encore:
The MN State Fair is a fantastic place to see free, outdoor music, especially when it's this spectacular an act. Nothing beats relaxing with some great music after a day of pronto pups and bacon on a stick and various other things on a stick. Next weekend, the Fair brings us the brilliant Trampled by Turtles and the always hard rockin, hard drinkin White Iron Band. Both bands are playing free shows both nights.
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