Music is universal and has an appeal in all areas and mood that tug strings through any kind of emotions. It can reach out to us when we're in a joyous occasion, it might reflect on us when we're sad. It could also bring moments of nostaligia through storytelling of instances from long ago and issues that might shape our future. It could put you in a party mood, or cheer you up when you're feeling down. Or just give you that sudden urge to get up off your chair and dance to the rhythm of your choice. Without music, society would be lost. So it's time we all got behind our singers and musicians for giving us the gift of music, to reflect, inspire and educate and to just simply soothe our souls.
One particular individual made that happen as we pay our respects to the legacy of rhythm and blues sensation, Miss Sharon Jones. Though she was not as highly publicized as other singers and musicians, there is plenty to admire about Sharon Jones. Aside from being a late-bloomer in the music industry, Sharon, who fronted her band The Dap-Kings, she kept the soul legacy alive through her raw energy, enthralling voice and her vibrant charisma, that drew huge crowrds whereever she and her band toured. Though she can be compared to likes of soul singers like Aretha Franklin or James Brown, in the end, she really wanted to do her own thing, and boy did she ever.
Though the documentary "Miss Sharon Jones!" could've easily chronicled the lifelong journey into her illustrious career in the music industry, instead director Barbara Kopple decided to emphasize more towards her struggles later in life starting in 2013 when she was diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic cancer which has great levels of heartbreak, but also a positive message of hope. Aside from her cancer struggles, we follow her as she's staying in the home of her nutritionist. We see her as she leads her band, who's not fully functioning as they're working on their forth album and having to cancel a tour while Sharon is convalescing from her illness. The physical and psychological strain she's going through is overwhelming to her, but she remains stubborn, but determined and dedicated into getting better so that she can get back on the road even if her health isn't 100%. She doesn't want to just return to touring for the enjoyment alone, she needs to return so she and her band can be paid, because without her, they're financial status isn't very compromising. The band relies on Sharon Jones and the close bond they have with her is just so comfortable and uplifting.
The archives from her past performances could give you a clear depiction of whst her presence on stage was like. Whether she's gyrating like James Brown, or singing her heart out Aretha Franklin, she loves her fans equally as much as the fans love her back. All her life, her soul roots have played a pivotal role that has carried on with her wherever she went. In one scene, while on the road to recovery, she was seen singing Gospel at a Brooklyn Church she attended to when she was young. It's hard to tell if this had any affect on her character or if she's that religious, but it is still a heartwarming scene nonetheless.
And sure it's confusing if the documentary is about Sharon Jones, cancer or a bit of both, we never let that bother us in the very least. Because even through all the treatments and medicines she's taking to stall the cancer from getting worse, you have to realize that the best medicine all along has been her music and the passion she has for it, is essential in keeping it down or at least steady.
The other key component that has helped her in fighting cancer is through the love of her late mother that she had for her and the love that her mother gave back to her. She recalls a time when a Sony executive refused to sign a record deal due to myriad of prejudiced reasons ("too fat", "too old", "too dark", etc.). But one thing Sharon relied on the most was that her mother was always there for her and that's what motivated her to keeping following her dreams. The only time we see Sharon cry is when she talks about her mother and wishes she was there as she's fighting a deadly disease and putting up a good fight.
And sure her performances seen through the clips indicates that she will stumble from time to time as most artists tend to do, nobody's perfect. We feel bad when she messes up her lyrics or when her energy level fizzles out. But there are still genuine moments when she gets stronger and more confident in herself through the later stages of her singing career. Eventually the focus is settled on that aforementioned forth album and she talks about winning a Grammy Award in 2015 and emphasizes on that like it was a check mark from her metaphoric bucket list.
There's more to admire about Sharon Jones than just her being a performer, but as a thoughtful, selfless individual who cared not just about herself, but towards other important people in her life. Though she provides us with great music and vibrant entertainment, it is her heart and her determination that should be the primary component we should look upon her. Sharon never asked to be celebrity or a highly prolific icon. She wanted to reflect upon the world that through all the dark stages that may affect our lives, we shouldn't let these things get the better of us. Find ways to make yourself and others happy, that through all the doubt you face, there's always a sign of hope.
One particular individual made that happen as we pay our respects to the legacy of rhythm and blues sensation, Miss Sharon Jones. Though she was not as highly publicized as other singers and musicians, there is plenty to admire about Sharon Jones. Aside from being a late-bloomer in the music industry, Sharon, who fronted her band The Dap-Kings, she kept the soul legacy alive through her raw energy, enthralling voice and her vibrant charisma, that drew huge crowrds whereever she and her band toured. Though she can be compared to likes of soul singers like Aretha Franklin or James Brown, in the end, she really wanted to do her own thing, and boy did she ever.
Though the documentary "Miss Sharon Jones!" could've easily chronicled the lifelong journey into her illustrious career in the music industry, instead director Barbara Kopple decided to emphasize more towards her struggles later in life starting in 2013 when she was diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic cancer which has great levels of heartbreak, but also a positive message of hope. Aside from her cancer struggles, we follow her as she's staying in the home of her nutritionist. We see her as she leads her band, who's not fully functioning as they're working on their forth album and having to cancel a tour while Sharon is convalescing from her illness. The physical and psychological strain she's going through is overwhelming to her, but she remains stubborn, but determined and dedicated into getting better so that she can get back on the road even if her health isn't 100%. She doesn't want to just return to touring for the enjoyment alone, she needs to return so she and her band can be paid, because without her, they're financial status isn't very compromising. The band relies on Sharon Jones and the close bond they have with her is just so comfortable and uplifting.
The archives from her past performances could give you a clear depiction of whst her presence on stage was like. Whether she's gyrating like James Brown, or singing her heart out Aretha Franklin, she loves her fans equally as much as the fans love her back. All her life, her soul roots have played a pivotal role that has carried on with her wherever she went. In one scene, while on the road to recovery, she was seen singing Gospel at a Brooklyn Church she attended to when she was young. It's hard to tell if this had any affect on her character or if she's that religious, but it is still a heartwarming scene nonetheless.
And sure it's confusing if the documentary is about Sharon Jones, cancer or a bit of both, we never let that bother us in the very least. Because even through all the treatments and medicines she's taking to stall the cancer from getting worse, you have to realize that the best medicine all along has been her music and the passion she has for it, is essential in keeping it down or at least steady.
The other key component that has helped her in fighting cancer is through the love of her late mother that she had for her and the love that her mother gave back to her. She recalls a time when a Sony executive refused to sign a record deal due to myriad of prejudiced reasons ("too fat", "too old", "too dark", etc.). But one thing Sharon relied on the most was that her mother was always there for her and that's what motivated her to keeping following her dreams. The only time we see Sharon cry is when she talks about her mother and wishes she was there as she's fighting a deadly disease and putting up a good fight.
And sure her performances seen through the clips indicates that she will stumble from time to time as most artists tend to do, nobody's perfect. We feel bad when she messes up her lyrics or when her energy level fizzles out. But there are still genuine moments when she gets stronger and more confident in herself through the later stages of her singing career. Eventually the focus is settled on that aforementioned forth album and she talks about winning a Grammy Award in 2015 and emphasizes on that like it was a check mark from her metaphoric bucket list.
There's more to admire about Sharon Jones than just her being a performer, but as a thoughtful, selfless individual who cared not just about herself, but towards other important people in her life. Though she provides us with great music and vibrant entertainment, it is her heart and her determination that should be the primary component we should look upon her. Sharon never asked to be celebrity or a highly prolific icon. She wanted to reflect upon the world that through all the dark stages that may affect our lives, we shouldn't let these things get the better of us. Find ways to make yourself and others happy, that through all the doubt you face, there's always a sign of hope.