Soundbyte!

After the furor over 50Cent's statement that i posted on my blog yesterday, i feel the need to salute a great woman today. She has had so many hits and has come a long way from the preacher's daughter of way back:

Aretha Franklin - I say a little prayer

It was really hard picking which of her songs to profile today. "Respect" would have been a good choice. The sass of that song. "You make me feel like a natural woman" is one of my favorites but has been overdone. I opted for this song because it set the tone for one of the funniest scenes in the movie - My Best Friend's Wedding.

What i love most about Ms Franklin's voice is its unconventionality. Her voice is not the best, but there is a grating quality to it and a simplicity to the delivery of her lyrics. As a woman, i like her for being such a diva. This woman dresses however she likes and has a jewelery collection that i envy (yes i love jewelery especially shiny stuff LOL).

My respect for her grew when many years ago at the Grammys - maybe 95/96, Luciano Pavarotti was supposed to perform Nessum Dorma (one of my favorite classics of all time). At the last minute he either couldnt make it or fell ill. The producers had an orchestra set up with no plan B. Someone approached Ms Franklin who barely knew the song and had never sung opera in her life. This woman locked herself up in her dressing room. Read the lyrics of this song (in italian by the way), listened to Luciano's version on a CD and in an hour took to the stage. The performance. Breath taking. I will put that up today as well. The result: A standing ovation. Absolutely divine.

Enjoy!

*If you would like this song, please leave your email address in the comments section*