Eli "Paperboy" Reed & The True Loves/The Sweet Divines @ Union Hall

Saturday night, me and Jeff from Heart on a Stick headed over to Union Hall in Brooklyn and gotta a double dose of soul.

The big news that came from the event were the surprise guest that took the stage during The Sweet Divines set. Towards the end of their set, I look over to the side and I see this short, black lady. It didn't take me long to figure out that it was Sharon Jones. She got on-stage for a only two minutes, but the whole room was going nuts. I was so excited that I saw her after the set at the bar and gave her a hug. The lady has a hearty laugh.

To give you a little background, two of the singers of The Sweet Divines provided back-up vocals for Sharon's Friday performance with the Dap Kings at Beacon Theater. More on them later.

Eli "Paperboy" Reed channels the ghosts of Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding and just brings the house down. The Massachusetts-based singer and backing band puts the old school in old school soul music. He channels the spirit of that bygone era where singers left everything on the stage. He reaches deep down to bring out his best. At times, it was amusing to see sweat pour down his face, just like you would see Elvis in the old footage from the 60s. Somebody give Eli a towel.

The setlist:

• Stake Your Claim
• Wasting My Time
• Won't Give Up
• It's Easier
• I'm Tired of Wandering
• Satisfier
• She Walks
• Getcha Back
• Fooling Myself
• Take My Love

So if a Jewish, out of the control British woman can kick start the the classic soul revival, why can't a Jewish, relatively behaved boy from Boston do the same. Obviously, the live show has to been seen to be believed. It's a high energy affair with Eli taking you through the highs and lows. It's great to have variety when it comes to see shows, so this was something different that I think everyone who loves live music should check out.

Interesting to point out, Reed & Co. will take the road in the spring, as the opening act for emo-punk band Say Anything. Hey, I'm all for it, teach those whipper snapper kids a lesson.

As mentioned before, The Sweet Divines are one of two groups formed out of late soul-revival act The Dansettes. The other being The Nouvellas. So you can consider The Dansettes the Uncle Tupelo and The Sweet Divines and Nouvellas as the Wilco or Son Volt.

In any event, the Divines satisfy my girl-group vocal cravings. The outfit has four singers and an extensive backing band that pay homage to the traveling soul revues of the 60s.

The setlist:

• The King
• Honeythistle
• Money Tree
• No Questions
• Soul Smarts
• NBL
• Please Don't Tempt Me
• Heckuva Man
• Scales
• Don't You Ever

I was a big fan of The Dansettes, and The Divines are just as exciting, if not more. Like Eli Reed and his crew, the Divine crew put on a high-energy show with plenty of dance grooves and fantastic vocals. You can see why Sharon Jones hired a couple for her show.

This was actually my first time at Union Hall and the place was packed for their set, their second ever. They pretty much blew the fake tiles off the ceiling. Everyone was just super impressed with their set. Even without the Sharon Jones guest appearance (also Broadway and jazz singer Gabrielle Stravelli joined in), I strong advise keeping tabs on them.  I guess the soul revival is more like a soul mainstay. Good times, I'm up all for breaking up the sometimes monotony of New York indie rock.

Comments

[bumpershine]

Nice to see that you finally made it out to the hood. Sadly, this was one of the few nights I actually wasn't at the bar.

[michaelf]

SO happy the Sweet Divines are fulfilling their promise to be the Next Big Thing. Gosh they're awesome! Swing out Soul Sistahs!