Still a "jewel"
One of the most honored and influential women to ever come out of Detroit is Aretha Franklin. Her vocal range is powerful and strong, her voice is one of a kind. Widely known as the "Queen of Soul", Franklin has stormed the charts of soul since the 1960s. In her recently released album, Jewels in the Crown: Duets with the Queen of Soul, Franklin teams up with classic artists such as Frank Sinatra, Luther Vandross, and Elton John, and contemporary artists like Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. The effect is one that spans both Franklin's past and present, cementing her title of being a versatile and influential artist.
One of the most memorable songs of Franklin's past hits is revisited with Mariah Carey, a live recording of "Chain of Fools", which cackles with both talent and a pop beat true to many of Carey's songs. "Chain of Fools" combines the talents of both women, displaying their talents without Carey's dominating of the vocal scales, as is her typical trademark. Despite the pop sound of this version, the lyrics are as soulful as ever: "For five long years/I thought you were my man/But I found out I'm just a link in your chain/Oh, you got me where you want me/I ain't nothin but your fool/Ya treated me mean/Oh you treated me cruel."
"Don't Waste Your Time" is an R & B ballad with Mary J. Blige. The hard-hitting lyrics complement the vocal stylings of each woman, where Franklin displays her wisdom by advising Blige not to waste her time with a cheating partner: "What's the point of love/When you got no trust/What's the point of staying/When you seen enough/What's the point of giving/What he don't deserve." The vantage point of Franklin's mentoring to the heartbroken Blige in this song cannot be a coincidence, as Franklin has been seen as an inspiration to many of the artists we recognize now, both up and coming and those already established.
"Through the Storm" is also a song that has a pop feeling to it; a style that has come to compliment Elton John, who collaborates with Franklin on this cheerful and encouraging ditty about love. This love song challenges the ideas of walking away from a love that is a sure thing, instead promoting the idea of working through issues: "It's easier to walk away/It takes a lot of love to stay/We've got all the love it takes/We know there's a brighter day/Through the storm/Through the tears/You and I/I know we can survive." As powerful as the lyrics are, the vocals are even stronger, proving that neither age nor time can dim the strength or power that possesses the vocal chords of both John and Franklin.
The most dynamic duet on the record is hands down "What Now, My Love?" Franklin pairs up with Old Blue Eyes himself on a jazzy love song that sounds hand picked by Sinatra, even including the big band background music. Critic's conclusion: This compilation of tracks shows that while the past has been good to Aretha Franklin, the present and future are looking just as promising. Franklin shows her versatility as an artist and also as a collaborator, singing with artists as classic as herself and also new musicians who have won the hearts of Motown. This album is sure to please every fan of soul, whether they are fans of the contemporary artists or the Queen herself. Franklin's duets pay homage to both her and the artist she sings with on those certain tracks; every song has a blend of Franklin and the artist that is doing the duet. This one is a true "jewel". (The Independent Collegian)
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