The word "derivative" gets a bad rap -- there's nothing
worse you can call a band in some circles than the d-word. But not only
are Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings as proudly derivative as music gets,
they're also absolutely fantastic. An eerily precise recreation of James
Brown's combustible mid-'60s period, Jones and the Kings play old-school
soul that rocks. They also do at least one genius cover per record. Last
time out, it was Janet Jackson's "What Have You Done For Me Lately," and
on their new album, "Naturally" (Daptone Records), it's Woody Guthrie's
"This Land Is Your Land" rendered with fabulous Stax/Volt sass. They're
not to be missed, Thursday at Cat's Cradle.
Multiple area venues are hosting tsunami-relief benefits this weekend,
including shows with Sorry About Dresden (featuring original bassist Matt
Tomich in his first show with SAD in quite some time), Fashion Design and
a rare Superchunk performance Saturday at Local 506 (which is a private
club, and they mean it: See http://www.local506.com/ for membership details);
International Orange and Pico Vs. Island Trees at Cat's Cradle Saturday;
and Arrogance alumnus Robert Kirkland's Kick the Future with Chatham
County Line, SpencerAcuff and Barefoot Manner on Sunday at the Pour House.
There's also the Indiegrrl Music Showcase on Sunday at Local 506, with
an all-distaff lineup of Laura McLean & Calamity, Vicki Blankenship
and the duo Someone's Sister.
Tonight: Ray Lamontagne, a superb and idiosyncratic-voiced
singer/songwriter, comes to the ArtsCenter; another excellent songwriter,
David Olney, plays Six String Cafe; and Local 506 has a mighty fine
triple-bill of Cub Country, Honored Guests and Strugglers.
Furthermore: Carbon Leaf brings its folksy jams to Lincoln Theatre on
Saturday, the same night Steep Canyon Rangers hold forth at the Pour
House; from the Red Clay Ramblers orbit, Mike Craver, Bill Hicks and Jim
Watson convene at the Six String Cafe on Wednesday; power trio Cantwell
Gomez & Jordan play Kings on Thursday; and Chapel Hill expatriate
pianist Ben Folds returns to the area Thursday to play Duke University's
Page Auditorium, with Ben Lee in tow.
