By Eric Mahollitz

Long lines awaited entry into the Barrymore Theatre last night to see one of today’s best live acts, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. The foyer was packed with attendees, ranging from high schoolers to seniors, some people arriving in large groups while others shuffled off with beer and popcorn to enjoy the show alone.

The epic performance from Jones was bookended by two instrumentals from the very talented Dap-Kings, a supergroup of sorts consisting of high-ranking musicians from the Soul/Funk community. Serving to rev up the audience for the appearance of Jones, those instrumentals succeeded in packing the aisles throughout the venue, many people opting to stand leaving only small clusters of cherished seats for the taking.

The Dap-Kings were dressed in black and gray suits, a distinct contrast from the rich red and yellow glow that would fill the stage much of the evening, not to mention Jones’ feisty sundress. Following her appearance onstage, Jones alluded to the evening being her first time in Madison and because of that she was gonna strut. For the remainder of the night she did just that. Throughout the set members of the audience were pulled onstage to dance alongside the 52-year old singer and interesting though they were, the song would end and Jones would escort them off of the stage, it proving too small for more than her exuberant self. Audience participation was one of many memorable moments last night; the set also entailed a cover of Janet Jackson’s What Have You Done For Me Lately, a brief interlude of When the Saints Go Marching In and an explosive rendition of Sam Cooke’s heartfelt classic A Change Is Gonna Come, performed as a duet with fellow Daptone artist and James Brown look-alike, Charles Bradley. For newer fans and those who still can’t get enough of last year’s record, 100 Days, 100 Nights, Jones ended the evening with performances of the title track and for the encore, Answer Me. All told, Jones lived up to her self-created and earned high standards, and the audience was given a night to remember.

Discuss: Tell us what you thought of the show? What was your most enjoyable moment? Year-end list worthy? Did you or someone you know get on stage?

Myspace: Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
MP3: Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings – 100 Day, 100 Nights

Find more MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic

1. Though not even five feet tall, Sharon spent many years working as a corrections officer at Rikers Island and as an armored car guard for Wells Fargo Bank.
2. Sharon played “Lila,” “a jike joint singer” in the 2007 film The Great Debaters, starring Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker.
3. Video: Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings Live – “This Land Is Your Land”
4. Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings’ music has been sampled by Jurasic 5, Gostface Killah, Kanye West and Rhymefest.
5. Sharon Jones has been part of the cast touring with Lou Reed in Australia, Europe, and the US as part of the live production of “Berlin”
6. MP3: Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings – “100 Days, 100 Nights”
7. The Dap-Kings recorded half of the music on Amy Winehouse’s album Back to Black. Including the hit singles “Rehab”and “I’m No Good”, and played as her backing band for her first ever US tour, including performances on David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
8. Having seen them at Lollapalooza and Monolith this year, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings get two thumbs up from Muzzle of Bees. Those shows were amongst thousands, tonight will much less and much more intimate!
9. Rufus Wainwright and They Might Be Giants featured Sharon on their recent recordings
10. I can’t make the show, so I’m counting on you guys to tell me it should have made my favorite shows of 2008.

Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings play Madison’s Barrymore Theatre tonight. Tickets are $22, and still available.

Myspace: Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings

Find MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic