The “Queen of Soul” has passed. Age 76
1. The Kennedy Center Honors – playing the piano herself and singing “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman. This one will give you chills. If you are starting your Aretha Franklin journey, start here. Trust me.
2. Think from the movie Blues Brothers. Fact, Aretha never sang the same way twice. Each performance was a snowflake of uniqueness. This means that trying to lip sync to the films pre-recorded audio playback during filming was nearly impossible for Franklin. A lot of editing and takes left us with a show stopping number and the sassiest diner owner in Chicago!
3. Respect from Blues Brothers 2000. This is the lesser of the Blues Brothers films, BUT the music still stands as one of the great soundtracks. Fargo native Johnny Lang even has a track. Franklin reprises her role as Matt “Guitar” Murphy’s wife. New job, same sass.
4. Amazing Grace from 1972. Sung in a church, in her signature style – this may be one of the all time greatest recordings of Amazing Grace.
5. Bridge Over Troubled Water from 1971. This is a great example of how Aretha Franklin could take a notable song and put her own spin on the soul end of the tune. The earliest of the live performances mentioned here, it’s also another where she accompanies herself on the piano. This woman was not just a stick of dynamite, she was the whole darn keg of gunpowder. She exploded in song. This is a great example, especially on those high notes!
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