“At this time in my life I thought I would be telling everybody what I used to do,” says Lee Fields. “But now, I’m actually living a dream.”

Instead of sitting at a bar recounting his glory days, the veteran soul singer is living them. The North Carolina native, who plays Jordan Hall as part of the First Night festivities on Monday, has been making music since the late ’60s with waxing and waning levels of recognition. The sexagenarian has been enjoying a raised profile since the ’90s thanks in part to the folks at Truth & Soul Records — who have also been associated with fellow soul survivor and former Fields backup singer Sharon Jones. He is currently riding high on strong reviews of his latest album, “Faithful Man,” a fine blend of sweaty shouters, tender crooners, and cool groovers that evoke the holy trinity: Stax, Motown, and Philly soul.