My ex husband was John Belushi’s stunt double on The Blues Brothers; he did all the back handsprings down the church aisle among other stunts. and worked with John on other films. Anyway, I attended the wrap party held at a big sound stage at Universal. Aretha was there 🤗 🎶 and so where James Brown, Ray Charles, Cab Calloway and all the other musicians featured in that movie. and they all got up and played together with the Blues Brothers. It was one of the BEST musical experience of my life!
I met Aretha, because she was my favorite and she was such a doll! 💖✨💖
I say a Little Prayer for her! May she continue to rest in peace
Thanks for another great essay. I love the Queen and her entire discography, and I particularly liked what you said in the intro about her Columbia years, because that period of her career seldom gets the love and affection it deserves. All Night Long (from her debut album, if memory serves) and Unforgettable (from the tribute to Dinah) always send shivers down my spine.
Thanks for this wonderful overview of what has always been my favorite Aretha album. The 3 album run of Live at Filmore West, Young, Gifted and Black and Amazing Grace is as perfect a run as any musician has ever gone on and for me at least Young, Gifted and Black is her absolute apex.
The album has all the interpretive magic, exuberance and power of Filmore West but dials back the slightly manic, edge of your seat energy in favor on an absolute control and maturity that is probably only possible in the studio. In particular the second half of Side 2 is just as perfect and ending to an album as I can imagine. From her understated composition First Snow in Kokomo into the huge building energy of Long and Winding Road and Didn't I to finishing with what is my absolute favorite song of the album, her pure gospel cover of Elton John's Border Song it's just such a strong finish that always leaves me feeling like my heart is trying to explode out of my chest. As an aside I'm astounded that I didn't realize until to day that Billy Preston is on both the Beatles original Long and Winding Road and Aretha's totally transformative cover.
Thanks for a great article and for sending me down a Youtube rabbit hole today that led me to this 1993 duet of Aretha and Elton John doing Border Song together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHhW-lWWxbo
Another great post and tribute to the Queen of Soul. When I bought the remastered version of "Lady Soul" I was surprised to hear the unedited version of "Chain Of Fools". That long guitar prelude is a beautiful thing.
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My ex husband was John Belushi’s stunt double on The Blues Brothers; he did all the back handsprings down the church aisle among other stunts. and worked with John on other films. Anyway, I attended the wrap party held at a big sound stage at Universal. Aretha was there 🤗 🎶 and so where James Brown, Ray Charles, Cab Calloway and all the other musicians featured in that movie. and they all got up and played together with the Blues Brothers. It was one of the BEST musical experience of my life!
I met Aretha, because she was my favorite and she was such a doll! 💖✨💖
I say a Little Prayer for her! May she continue to rest in peace
A great tribute. I say a little prayer that the Allman Brothers Band will get the LS treatment soon.
Fantastic as always, Robert. Surely Bernard Purdie deserves an essay of his own!
Thanks for another great essay. I love the Queen and her entire discography, and I particularly liked what you said in the intro about her Columbia years, because that period of her career seldom gets the love and affection it deserves. All Night Long (from her debut album, if memory serves) and Unforgettable (from the tribute to Dinah) always send shivers down my spine.
Thanks for this wonderful overview of what has always been my favorite Aretha album. The 3 album run of Live at Filmore West, Young, Gifted and Black and Amazing Grace is as perfect a run as any musician has ever gone on and for me at least Young, Gifted and Black is her absolute apex.
The album has all the interpretive magic, exuberance and power of Filmore West but dials back the slightly manic, edge of your seat energy in favor on an absolute control and maturity that is probably only possible in the studio. In particular the second half of Side 2 is just as perfect and ending to an album as I can imagine. From her understated composition First Snow in Kokomo into the huge building energy of Long and Winding Road and Didn't I to finishing with what is my absolute favorite song of the album, her pure gospel cover of Elton John's Border Song it's just such a strong finish that always leaves me feeling like my heart is trying to explode out of my chest. As an aside I'm astounded that I didn't realize until to day that Billy Preston is on both the Beatles original Long and Winding Road and Aretha's totally transformative cover.
Thanks for a great article and for sending me down a Youtube rabbit hole today that led me to this 1993 duet of Aretha and Elton John doing Border Song together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHhW-lWWxbo
Anytime she comes up in conversation, I have to mention this. I imagine you’ve seen it, but it is UN!BE!LEIVABLE!! https://youtu.be/k33sINjn9o0?si=n64iLbE1-H-IwTdW
Ah, to be a fly on the wall at any session that took place at FAME Studios. What a touching tribute to the undisputed queen.
Another great post and tribute to the Queen of Soul. When I bought the remastered version of "Lady Soul" I was surprised to hear the unedited version of "Chain Of Fools". That long guitar prelude is a beautiful thing.