Purplish Rain - Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Purple Rain

I can remember having a sixth grade "date night" to to see Purple Rain. The movie was o.k. but the soundtrack was great. And now Spin is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Best Movie (and Soundtrack) Ever Purple Rain with Purplish Rain, a song-by-song tribute to Prince's classic soundtrack album.

Of Montreal cover "Computer Blue"

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings cover "Take Me With U",

Greg Dulli's Twilight Singers take on"When Doves Cry" with an assist from actual Purple Rain star Apollonia.

The whole thing will go up for free download on Spin's website tomorrow (June 23).

Photos/Review: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings w/ Menahan Street Band

At last night’s Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings Show at the Barrymore in Madison we indulged in our nation’s finest soul groove revivalist band. The Dap-King Crew served up a long and tasty hot bowl of old school, hambone funk, while Sharon head-chefed...[READ MORE]

Upcoming Show: Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings A Must See Show!

Friends

In all the years I have been at the Barrymore I have never done this. I am sending an email out to all of you, to specifically alert you to one show.

This coming Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 pm the Barrymore has Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. If you don't already know who she is, you should. If you don't come to the show, you'll wish you had. This is the Barrymore's show of the year, and maybe the show of the year in Madison. We were among the people who saw her at Bonnaroo last summer, and she blew us away.

I have attached links to the Sharon Jones articles in this week's Isthmus and 77 Square, and a link to her on YouTube, so you can read about her, listen to her music, and see her video. Start with "100 Days, 100 Nights" and go on from there. We're talking James Brown and Tina Turner here.

For those of you concerned that this is a "school" or "work" night, make an exception. The show will start at 7:30 pm and be over by 10:30 pm or 11:00. Get a babysitter, eat dinner early, and get your "bad selves" over here. You won't regret it.

And Thursday when a friend or co-worker asks you what you did last night, you'll proudly be able to say:

"I was out helping keep the funk alive!"

Bon Ton Roulet (and Peace!)

Steve
In the meantime, she and the Dap-Kings are testing songs for the next album on audiences at five gigs in the Midwest in December before heading out to Australia in early January.

"Tell people in Madison just to come on out and bring their dancing shoes," she said. "Get ready, I tell 'em. Come on and get funked up."

IF YOU GO:

Who: Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings with the Menahan Street Band

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3

Where: Barrymore Theatre, 2090 Atwood Ave.

Tickets: $20 in advance at www.barrymorelive.com or $22 the day of the show.

Upcoming Show: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings w/ Menahan Street Band

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings w/ Menahan Street Band
December 3, 2008; The Barrymore Theater; 7:30 PM
Buy Tickets