Aretha Franklin's performance...

[Darsa]

Oh goodness, everyone in the world has their very own opinions of what they like and don't like... it's not really cool to look down upon people that don't happen to share your taste in singing and accessorizing

I personally haven't really cared for her voice ever; something about it bugs me (and yep, I sing). But she obviously was very moved by being able to sing at the inauguration; you could see that in her face. I can't imagine singing in front of THAT many people live... and knowing how many more are watching on different media...

 

[piney]

Just curious for those of you that feel the need to step on Aretha, are you aware of her civil rights history?

If not, I encourage you to pick up a history book, quick and do some research.

that doesn't make the hat any "prettier" or her singing any better. Don't civil rights give us the right to opinions?

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Oh goodness, everyone in the world has their very own opinions of what they like and don't like... it's not really cool to look down upon people that don't happen to share your taste in singing and accessorizing

You're right, people do have opinions of what they like and dislike; especially when asked.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Just curious for those of you that feel the need to step on Aretha, are you aware of her civil rights history?
If not, I encourage you to pick up a history book, quick and do some research.

 

[teacups]

Oh sheesh. Does everything have to do with "If you knew the history you'd appreciate the ______" Whatever the ___ may be??

I never much cared for her voice. I like the style, but not her particular voice.

Her hat made me think she was competing with the Obama girls for some camera time.

 

[Hoodie]

Can't comment on the hat because I didn't see it. I heard the song on the radio and honestly didn't even know what she was singing for a while.

Song was HORRID!!!!!

 

[mickeyboat]

Can't comment on the hat because I didn't see it. I heard the song on the radio and honestly didn't even know what she was singing for a while.

Song was HORRID!!!!!

Check out the hat picture on the bottom of page one of this thread.

 

[Buckalew11]

I don't mean this to sound racist because it is not a racist statement or thought...I liked her hat--black women around here wear hats a lot esp. when dressed up, either for church or just going out. White women do not pull it off like black women do. I think they look lovely in their fabulous (sometimes over the top looking) hats!
Me? I'd look like Ellen did today, lol. But hats on people at the KY Derby or in Royal circles are fun, wild, beauitful, extravagant, and sometimes crazy looking (remember Camilla's for one of the weeding? Hers maybe?) Still, it goes with them.

Of course her voice is not going to be what it once was. She is much older. She has history to her though and I'm glad she sang. I am sure she was honored! I didn't care for the rendition or arrangemnet or whatever you'd call that, but it was good.

And, again, I liked her hat. (I just wouldn't wear it myself.)

 

[Buckalew11]

Oh and to whomever suggested Alicia Keys will take over...Yay! Alicia Keys won my heart a long time ago. I'd rather hear her sing than anyone on this earth! Love her voice, love her songwriting. She's brilliant!

 

[mkingdomlvr]

Oh sheesh. Does everything have to do with "If you knew the history you'd appreciate the ______" Whatever the ___ may be??

I never much cared for her voice. I like the style, but not her particular voice.

Her hat made me think she was competing with the Obama girls for some camera time.

Other than "Respect", I'm not a fan of Aretha's style-but I can certainly appreciate her talent. I think selecting her to sing was very appropriate-especially if the First Family ARE fans of hers.

As for that hat, she's probably one of the few women in America who could carry that baby off!

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Oh sheesh. Does everything have to do with "If you knew the history you'd appreciate the ______" Whatever the ___ may be??

Thank you. We can comment on her singing without having to get into her history...unless you're talking about the history of her sining, now that would be a different story.

 

[wvjules]

Thank you. We can comment on her singing without having to get into her history...unless you're talking about the history of her sining, now that would be a different story.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Reading about her history wouldn't make me like her voice. She could turn out to be the second coming of Christ and I still wouldn't like her singing.

But did, again, LOVE the hat.

 

[ShiPooOwner]

Loved her singing but did not like the hat.

(This has nothing to do with her singing or her hat, but I just learned what that little blue or green dot is for in the lower left hand side! )

 

[luvmy3]

I liked her in The Blues Brothers, see I know her history

 

[WhereOWhere]

Love Aretha Franklin.

Hated that she looked like a big Christmas present. But in the end, who cares, I wasn't looking at her, I was listening to her.

 

[Deb in IA]

(This has nothing to do with her singing or her hat, but I just learned what that little blue or green dot is for in the lower left hand side! )

And some of us have a red dot!


Aretha's hat was big and flamboyant, just like she is, so I think it fit her well. As for her singing, well, I have heard her in person, in concert, not too long ago. Yes, her voice is not what it used to be; she doesn't have her range anymore, and her breath is short. No doubt age and her health and weight are affecting her. But she is an icon, and certainly deserves our R-E-S-P-E-C-T!

Here's a youtube from her prime, circa 1967, of Respect: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kkgQHcdlZU

And I actually like Think (Freedom) better (not much video here, but what a voice!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSOC74X1Kzw&feature=related

Finally, my favorite. Her version of Spanish Harlem (again, no video, but amazing voice):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGyUhGTa8FM&feature=related

 

[AnnaS]

I could not read all the 6/7 pages.

As soon as dh saw her hat - he said, couldn't she find one any bigger?

 

[olena]

Her performance was a hot topic at my rehearsal last night. Forget the hat, which I thought was stylish and appropraite and probably kept her head warm. Her delivery had many of us (singers) wincing. She was breathing all over the place, which you just don't do. She scarcely got out two words before breathing again and in some cases was breathing in the middle of words. I felt so bad for her. The only reasons I could come up with is that it was very cold, which probably did account for the shortness of breath and the timbre of her voice. She also may be very out of shape. I know she used to smoke...maybe she still does. Anyway, as singers, my fellow Sopranos and I were all feeling bad for her. Those are not conditions I would choose to perform in, that's for sure.

 

[piney]

Anyone see the Ellen show today? She was "commenting" on Aretha's hat.

I thought you saw here yesterday; Ellen comes on at 3PM here, and I saw her in the hat!