Aretha did some amazing off-contract blues recordings in the 60's/70's. Very pretty chic, soft eyes, and second to none a singer with such gospel spirit driving her Her brother Kirk Franklin is and has been for decades a world leader in the genre of gospel music.

I got REALLY lucky to see Aretha live on a late afternoon festival gig with a probably 18-piece jazz big band behind her, and beyond that the southward view of the Chesapeake Bay was a perfect backdrop..... NEVER thought I'd ever see her live. Following her band at the festival was Booker T. and the MG's (Steve Cropper and Duck Dunne - the authentic Blues Brothers and much more), Dr. John, and Steppenwolf....

As far as female black soul artists that I favor, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, and Chaka Khan are the royalty Shemekia Copeland hovers in there as well.

 

THANK YOU!!!!R.I.P.

 

Just to correct this, surely up to a point we 're all brothers but Kirk Franklin has as much relation to Aretha Franklin as Benjamin Franklin does. That is they are not related whatsoever. Kirk Franklin was born in 1970 btw, almost 25 years later.
Some more Aretha please as it's never enough :

 

Last edited: Aug 17, 2018