A Tribute to Aretha Franklin (1942-2018)
Aretha Franklin (1942-2018) was perhaps the most lavishly, talented popular singer of our time and will forever remain a true legend and musical icon. Many of us only learned on a Sunday a fortnight ago that she was gravely ill. Aretha had battled several health issues over the last few years, but often kept her personal life out of the public eye and even continued performing up until she retired last year. Perhaps few people are aware that in her long career Aretha, whose work has never been less than superb, also recorded some jazzy vocals. Such as her voice-as-a-musical-instrument-thing in the scat choruses of “Mumbles/I've Got The Music In Me.”
34-year old Aretha Franklin rages up and down the scale in this song on her 23rd studio album “Sweet Passion,” released by Atlantic Records on May 19, 1977.
Aretha Franklin-vocals; Aretha Franklin and Sylvester Rivers-keyboards; Craig McMillian and Mike Morgan-guitar; Ray Brown-bass; Bob Zimmitti-percussion; and Harold Mason-drums. The rhythm and horn arrangements are by H. B. Barnum.
“Mumbles” was recorded and Mixed at ABC Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California. Aretha had paired up with famed Motown producer Lamont Dozier, to produce her “Sweet Passion” album, which was, however, a commercial failure in the late 70s and the song fell into oblivion.
In 2001 Aretha Franklin together with Clark Terry performed his "Mumbles" live, backed by jazz musicians Clark Terry-flugelhorn; James Carter-tenor saxophone; Herbie Hancock-piano; Russell Malone-guitar; Ron Carter-bass; and Roy Haynes-drums.
Quite often superlatives don't do justice to a person’s talent. But when, on the passing of Aretha Franklin, Barack and Michelle Obama sent their prayers to her “family and all those moved by her song,” I felt they hit the mark describing the Queen of Soul's meaning to our generation as follows:
“America has no royalty. But we do have a chance to earn something more enduring. Born in Memphis and raised in Detroit, Aretha Franklin grew up performing gospel songs in her father’s congregation. For more than six decades since, every time she sang, we were all graced with a glimpse of the divine,” they said.
“Through her compositions and unmatched musicianship, Aretha helped define the American experience. In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade -- our power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect. She helped us feel more connected to each other, more hopeful, more human. And sometimes she helped us just forget about everything else and dance.”
RIP Aretha.
