Aretha Franklin has died
She had a troubled life in certain ways, but boy could that woman ever sing.
Most people think of “Respect” as Aretha Franklin’s anthem, and I suppose it was. I liked a great many of her songs very much—including that one—but this one had a special place in my heart:
RIP, Aretha Franklin.
imo she was the greatest contemporary singer in my lifetime.
Great choice, great video.
I saw her once, live, quite a few years ago, and much, much heavier. I was surprised by her size. Yet she was also surprisingly graceful then, and she moved her shoulders, bobbed up & down suggestively; yeah, actually even a bit sexy.
What a voice! What a talent; what an admirable Celebrity.
I spent an hour or so last night on Youtube watching videos of the Queen of Soul singing my favorite songs. In no particular order, Chain of Fools, Do Right Woman, Ain’t no Way, Day Dreamin’, Spanish Harlem, Until You Come Back to Me.
I wanted to BE Aretha Franklin 35 years ago. I’ve always wanted to be a singer, altho’ I don’t have the pipes, range, or soul of someone like Aretha. I would have been more suited to opera. I settled for belting out whatever music with the radio, stereo, iPod, whatever served to deliver my personal Karaoke.
The angels have some work to do now to keep up with Aretha Franklin.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T!
There’s a great Aretha story where she subbed for Pavrotti(!) at the 18th Grammy’s at the last minute and sang Puccini’s classic “Nessun Dorma” with only one rehearsal.
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And despite talk of Franklin doing her own classic “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” instead, “Nessun dorma” went on. The performance was scheduled to go on in the third hour of the show, just one award presentation after her Blues Brothers number. But Franklin was confident she could pull off what was an elaborate production with Pavarotti’s conductor, orchestra and choir.
Despite the fact that “Nessun dorma” is written for an operatic tenor and not a soulful mezzo-soprano, as Franklin was, she nailed the performance, hitting the high B at the climax and bringing the audience — including an awestruck Celine Dion — to its feet.
“Aretha was absolutely a pro,” co-producer Tisha Fein told Billboard. “And some people didn’t know that wasn’t what we’d always planned! It was just a miracle, an absolute miracle.”
–https://nypost.com/2018/08/16/that-time-aretha-franklin-swooped-in-and-saved-the-grammys/amp/
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I can’t think of any other rock/pop/soul singer who presumed to perform opera in public without embarrassment.
I can’t think of any other rock/pop/soul singer who presumed to perform opera in public without embarrassment.
That is an accomplishment- especially on short notice. By the same token, opera singers switching to non-opera have had mixed results. Kiri Te Kanawa was a disaster singing standards. ( I am reminded of the old Billy Holiday tune, “He Ain’t Got Rhythm.”) Eileen Farrell, on the other hand, was an opera singer who did a credible job as a pop singer.
I put together extensive playlists of 60s songs a while back. A few songs by Aretha tend to jump out for me when listened to in context, “Chain of Fools” being the one I like the best. But she was never a big deal to me, not then and not now.
I’ve known several women through the years who’ve professed to love “Motown.” This functions as a sort of virtue-signaling and is a very safe thing to say. Even if you have no idea in the world what Motown was or who were its stars. (Hint: Diana Ross.)
huxley – love that story (love that song, too, whoever sings it).
“she was never a big deal to me, not then and not now.”
– Voice of incredible range and power
– Performed with emotional range and depth to match that voice
– Could sing any song from any genre and not only do it justice but make it her own. As pointed out she could even sing opera on short notice.
How many singers, not just pop or soul singers but singers period can claim all that? Very, very, very few.
Also, what does “Motown” have to do with anything here? Though Franklin came from Detroit she never recorded for the Motown organization to my knowledge, certainly not any of her signature recordings.
FOAF — I guess I didn’t say it clearly enough. I’ve known quite a number of women who when asked what kind of music they like, almost all will say Motown. Oh? Like who? Aretha Franklin is the reply, every time.
I’m happy for you that you respond so to Aretha’s singing. I think she was at her best early on, and put out a lot of bad albums one after the other in the 70s before I lost track, the common fault being poor choice of material, singing “any song from any genre” as you find so admirable.
Linda Ronstadt could sing opera. Her choice in songs to cover was better than Aretha’s.
Just my opinion but Ronstadt was nowhere near the singer Franklin was. And once again I don’t know what other people’s ignorance about Motown has to do with any of this at all, whether they were women or not. That younger people who don’t know the history call any black singer from the 60s “Motown” is quite uninteresting to me.
I find it near tragic that black music has morphed into hip-hop — a “soul-less” music if ever there was — after the sublime heights of artists like Aretha.
If we cannot persuade Neo to sing from Eydie Gorme’s repertoire in a town square in Tuscany, perhaps she’ll select from Aretha Franklin’s. If she’s got cousins with her they can sing the supporting parts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vet6AHmq3_s
after the sublime heights of artists like Aretha.
You’d best mean the sublime heights of Dinah Washington and Brook Benton.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPFP_I1p1w8
If Neo has a husband and wife who can sing in her family, here’s a good selections.
We were blessed to have her. Thank you Lord!
Greatest female singer of the 20th century – and that’s against some serious competition. Very thankful that my husband took me to see her three years ago, one of her last performances. The rest of the tour was cancelled. I really wasn’t expecting much – she was 73 and had had cancer – but she just blew us away. She had to work a little to hit the high notes and she took a break after every fourth song, but she sounded like 23 – not 73. My Gd – the woman was a force of nature. My husband, who does not like vocals, is now a stone fan.
Most everyone is familiar with her big hits but in honor of her great gift please take a little time to listen to some of her lesser known gospel and blues/jazz influenced recordings.
Among my favorites; Angel. Wholly Holy. People Get Ready. Right Now. Muddy Water. Today I Sing The Blues – this one at 18 years old!