Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand and Smokey Robinson all have new music out. Streisand and Robinson’s CDs are duet projects, and Franklin’s release is an album of covers, including classics from Etta James to Adele.
“Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics,” hits stores on October 21st. It features classics like Gladys Knight’s “Midnight Train to Georgia,” Streisand’s “People” and Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman,” in tribute to Whitney Houston. The album also features latter day covers of hits by Alicia Keys and Adele, ala “No One” and “Rolling in the Deep,” which is the CDs first single – it’s available on i-tunes now. Franklin sang the song on David Letterman on Monday night. Here’s a shot of her waving to fans as she left the Ed Sullivan theater.
Babyface and André 3000 produced the 10-track album that also includes new versions of The Supremes’ “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” Dinah Washington’s “Teach Me Tonight,” Etta James’ “At Last,” and a mash-up of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” with Destiny Child’s “Survivor.”
Bab’s CD “Partners” features the FUNK of duets with John Legend, Lionel Richie, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder and Face. Michael Buble, Blake Shelton, Josh Groban and Andrea Bocelli are also on the project. “Partners” hit stores on September 16th. Robinson’s record “Smokey and Friends,” features collaborations with Elton John, Steven Tyler, Miguel, Jessie J., Mary J. Blige, Ledesi, Sheryl Crow, James Taylor and Legend on the classic “Quiet Storm.” A re-working of Robinson’s hits, the album also includes the songs “Crusin’,” “Ooh Baby Baby,” “The Tears of a Clown” and “My Girl,” featuring JC Chasez and Aloe Blacc. Blacc is an ‘American Idol’ alum, the three of them performed the hit on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” in support of “Breast Cancer Awareness” month this week.
What I find amazing about all three releases is the common threads they share, that can only be attributed to their respective tremendous contributions to music — That’s FUNKY!
for the LOVE of Legends and Classic FUNK
c-dub
