I Learned the Hard Way (Bonus Version)

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EXCLUSIVE // EDITOR'S PICK

Total Tracks: 13   Total Length: 44:47

eMusic Review 0

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Michelangelo Matos

eMusic Contributor

04.05.10
Some things are simply timeless
2010 | Label: Daptone Records / The Orchard

"I'm a better woman than I have been/ Because I don't think about way back when," Sharon Jones sings at the top of "Better Things," one of the more laidback cuts on her fourth album with the Dap-Kings. Well, sure: The band behind her takes care of that. The Dap-Kings were founded as a monument to both James Brown hardness and Tina Turner/Aretha Franklin vocal forthrightness. But each album has been more velvety than the last, and on I Learned the Hard Way they work in strings ("Give It Back") and vibraphone (the instrumental "The Reason") without a hitch, and slow the tempo down throughout without losing any funk power. But while the aural clock is dead set on 1970 or so (and if Fleet Foxes can evoke CSNY crossed with Pet Sounds, why not?), the band still sounds like they're progressing: Jones still belts plenty, but tunes like "Window Shopping" demand more restraint, and she delivers. Besides, some things are simply timeless. "Money — where have you gone to?" Jones sings on one chorus. "Money — where are you hiding?" Who says these guys aren't living in 2010?

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Better Things

RTee

bought the album simply bc of this track...the rest were just as amazing

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My new favorite band

jcfitzhugh

I love this music. Give it a listen and you'll be dancing.

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Fine and Mellow

Leon Azul

Once again Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings delivers a fine set from the heart of 1960s R & B. This one stays on the slow and savory side of things, and there's nothing wrong with that, but sometimes without a little push to keep things moving "The Game Gets Old". Your sensitive side is beautiful, Ms. Jones, but please remember I've been bad and need a taste of your "tough love" too.

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Music Like it Used to Be

EricBarthel

Great vibe, great songs, GREAT voice played by a great band. Play this record anywhere and you'll have a hard time finding anyone who doesn't like it.

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Classic Soul in the Finest Tradition.

JanglePop

If you're bored with the synthesized, sampled, pro-tooled, autotuned and overcompressed crap that passes for "R&B" on the radio nowadays and love 60's-70's Soul and Funk check out this excellent album! This is a true soul singer, producer and an amazing band at their tightest. Sharon and the Dap-Kings have made their most consistent CD yet with improved songwriting, big arrangements and wide stereo production that doesn't grate on your ears. Awesome Stuff!

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Wonderful

RenaissanceMan

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings are showing everyone how it is done. This a better record than any top 40 R&B act has put out in the last five years.

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Old Skool and Kool

borntohill

Sharon Jones just begs to be on a Quinten Tarantino sound track (Disclaimer: I have done no research on this so she may very well be on one). That's the vibe she gives. I saw her live and the funk she brings is the funk you need. Her voice is at once beautiful but also rough and ready. This is what R and B is all about. Growing up in the nineties I witnessed R and B losing everything to extremely commercial soulless "smooth" crooners. If Al Green shakes your socks or Marvin Gay makes you feel Marvelous. Sharon King is for you. Her talent comes through in the grit and sweat she puts in to her vocals, she doesn't whisper sweet nothings in to the microphone she opens up her lungs and lets you have her soul. Download this album and you will be taking a step toward keeping it real.

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Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings -

cholebun

This is one of those albums that the more you listen to it, the more you love it! I have it on my IPod, and do painting and wallpapering. When I am tired of every other thing, I always start the Sharon Jones album. I can sing along and feel where she is coming from in each and every song.

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Bright and Shiny

updown010

This album is a little more polished, but in a good way. It really never loses its shine!

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Sharon Jones - keepin it going!

myersongs

Once again, Sharon Jones is able to find the tunes that fit her so well and record them in a way that makes you want to listen again and again! Awesome energy. Really good stuff. you will enjoy!

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