Black History Music Pt. 14
In celebration of Black History Month, the Ear Candy Update intends to celebrate landmark recordings by black artists that have shaped the collective consciousness, mentality, and sense of cool the world over. Next, Aretha Franklin's "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You."
The Queen's coronation.
It still breaks the neck. The band comes in and you can almost see Aretha gathering herself for her Hall of Fame entrance, and when she begins she connects with overwhelming force.
The Muscle Shoals rhythm section plays with characteristic grit, the saxes honk with intensity, but Ms. Franklin brings everything in her vocal register to make this the masterpiece it is.
She starts improvising and ad-libbing in virtuosa fashion as her own sisters back her up brilliantly.
The album became a call to arms, a slow fire of sexuality, and an anthem for liberation. "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man," could probably keep any couple together. "Dr. Feelgood" is unashamed and candidly lustful. She reinvents her idols here, including Sam Cooke, not once but twice.
It still breaks the neck. The band comes in and you can almost see Aretha gathering herself for her Hall of Fame entrance, and when she begins she connects with overwhelming force.
The Muscle Shoals rhythm section plays with characteristic grit, the saxes honk with intensity, but Ms. Franklin brings everything in her vocal register to make this the masterpiece it is.
She starts improvising and ad-libbing in virtuosa fashion as her own sisters back her up brilliantly.
"R-E-S-P-E-C-T, take care, TCB.You're probably singing that in your own head right now and you absolutely should. The soul drips off this record, commonly considered one of the greatest of all time. After the initial blast of "Respect" she gives us her treatment of Brother Ray's "Drown in my Own Tears" and then moves into the title track with sophisticated charm and style that remain unmatched.
Ohhhh, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me."
The album became a call to arms, a slow fire of sexuality, and an anthem for liberation. "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man," could probably keep any couple together. "Dr. Feelgood" is unashamed and candidly lustful. She reinvents her idols here, including Sam Cooke, not once but twice.
"MY change is gonna come."The 24-year-old mother of three was trapped in a troubled marriage when she sat down at her piano and poured all of herself into this across-the-board masterpiece. She took on titans in Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, and Otis Redding, and transformed their songs into her very own. In doing so, she gave the women in music a new benchmark. Men too. 41 minutes for all eternity.
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