music clip of the day

passings

Aretha Franklin, singer, pianist, March 25, 1942-August 16, 2018

Today we remember her by revisiting previous posts.

10/18/09

Here—at the funeral service for Bishop David L. Ellis, pastor of Detroit’s Greater Grace Temple of the Apostolic Faith—Aretha testifies.

Aretha Franklin, “Never Grow Old,” live, Detroit, 1996

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lagniappe

[A] lengthy service was perceived to be an honor to the deceased—a testimony to the great impact of his or her life. Consider the 1996 funeral of Bishop David Ellis Sr., pastor of Detroit’s Greater Grace Temple of the Apostolic Faith, whose services stretched over three days. His body was laid to rest in a $30,000 gold-plated casket that was ‘propped at an angle in the church aisle so mourners could see his body resting on red velvet cushions.’—Karla FC Holloway (in Passed On: African American Mourning Stories [2002])

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10/25/09

When someone sounds as good as Aretha did last Sunday, only one word seems to fit: more.

Aretha Franklin (joined on the second number by Billy Preston and Little Richard), “Surely God Is Able,” “Packin’ Up,” live (Tribute to Marion Williams), Washington, D.C., 1993

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lagniappe

My heart is still there in gospel music. It never left.—Aretha Franklin

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11/1/09

Aretha didn’t have to wait until she was grown to be great. She was great when she was 14.

Aretha Franklin (at 14, vocal and piano), “Precious Lord,” live, Detroit (New Bethel Baptist Church, where her father, Rev. C. L. Franklin, was pastor), 1956

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10/24/10

Here’s more of the late Albertina Walker.

“Lord, Remember Me,” live

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“I’m Still Here” (joined by Delores Washington), live, 1998, Philadelphia

Want more? Here.

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lagniappe

Here’s a better clip from this service than the one posted last Sunday (now deleted).

Aretha Franklin, “I’ll Fly Away,” live, Homegoing Service for Albertina Walker, Chicago (West Point Baptist Church, 3566 S. Cottage Grove), 10/15/10

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12/12/10

A world without Aretha?

Impossible.

Aretha Franklin, “Oh It Is Jesus,” “Old Landmark,” live, featuring Rev. Cecil Franklin (brother) & Erma Franklin (sister), Detroit, 1985 (TV broadcast 1986)

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4/8/12

Aretha testifies

Aretha Franklin, “Surely God Is Able,” live, Detroit, 1990

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1/6/13

The other day, in the wake of Inez’s [Andrews] passing, we heard several takes on this. How about another?

Aretha Franklin (with James Cleveland & The Southern California Community Choir), “Mary, Don’t You Weep,” live, Los Angeles, 1972

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6/23/14

passings

Gerry Goffin, lyricist, February 11, 1939-June 19, 2014

The Shirelles, “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” (G. Goffin, C. King), 1961

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The Drifters, “Up on the Roof” (G. Goffin, C. King), 1962

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Aretha Franklin, “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” (G. Goffin, C. King, J. Wexler), 1967

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1/1/16

What better way to start the new year?

Aretha Franklin, “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” (G. Goffin, C. King, J. Wexler), live, Washington, D.C., 2015