Though I always think of Aretha Franklin first in connection with
The Blues Brothers, she was a stellar performer. I learned today that
she once stepped in for Pavarotti to sing a particularly difficult aria. While her style of music was never my favorite, I have to respect anyone who develops their capacities so thoroughly.
And it is because she developed her capacities. She did not have the greatest natural voice, tonally- but her abilities with what she did have, and her willingness to work with what she had and embrace it, and develop it, made her unique and great.
ReplyDeleteI heard a story on the radio today about her, early in her career, having been stiffed a time or two by promoters, demanded to be paid in cash just before the show. Makes me wonder if she didn't also pack, for security with all that cash.