Observations: Proving the doubter wrong
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Georgian-born 54 year-old American soul singer Sharon Jones is smarting at the memory, 25 years ago, of a record company A&R man discussing her potential as a recording artist.
"He said I didn't have the look; he told me to use bleaching powder on my skin," she says.
"He said I was too black, too fat, too short and since I was past 25, he told me I was too old.
"Man, I could've smacked him in the mouth."
Jones had the last laugh, of course. Now, with four albums under her belt, collaborations with the likes of David Byrne, Rufus Wainwright, Lou Reed and Booker T & the M.G.s, there's no disputing her status as a soul diva of unrivalled brilliance and authenticity.
Jones never rested in her efforts to make it as a singer and her luck finally changed in 1996 when she met Gabe Roth, a member of the Soul Providers, a funk-soul outfit famed for shunning digital recording methods in favour of the traditional analogue equipment used in the Sixties and Seventies.
In 2000 the Soul Providers became the Dap-Kings, inviting Jones to be lead singer.
Ironically, Amy Winehouse probably wouldn't have achieved the critical kudos she has enjoyed were in not for Jones's Dap-Kings who, having been spotted by the producer Mark Ronson, were hired to play a series of tracks on Winehouse's Back In Black album, including Rehab and You Know I'm No Good and imbue it with authentic sound of Sixties soul.
Winehouse liked them so much that she requested their services as a backing band on her first US tour.
"But seriously, she don't have what I have," giggles Jones.
The album 'I Learned The Hard Way' is re-released on Daptone in a 7-inch vinyl box-set
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments