Aretha Franklin's performance...

[piney]

I told you he would look adorable!

 

[DancingBear]

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

I understand, but history was a big part of what was so moving about this to me. I was watching the Inauguration at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington. The DAR had a white-artist-only policy for many years, and so the opera singer Marion Anderson was barred from performing there in 1939. With Eleanor Roosevelt's assistance, Anderson instead gave a concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Easter, 1939, singing that same song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQnzb0Jj074

Then, in 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, where he recited the lyrics of this song, and issued a call to let freedom ring from Stone Mountain in Georgia and Lookout Mountain in Tennessee:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk

And there I was, in an integrated crowd, watching Aretha, the daughter of Martin Luther King's friend C.L. Franklin, singing that same song, at the other end of the Mall, immediately preceding the inauguration of our first African-American President. It was quite moving, no matter what she was wearing on her head or what issues there were with her singing.

 

[Charade]

Don't care one way or the other about the hat but my wife and I both thought the singing was not all that great. Maybe she was just off that day.

Now Rev. Lowery on the other hand...

 

[Lanshark]

I didn't like the hat or the singing. I was waiting for her to "take off" like the
Flying Nun. Instead of gliding it would be more like a propellar. As far as her singing, I love Aretha but....

 

[chisnpeke]

Her voice has not aged well. Didn't care for the arrangement of the song or the awful hat. I think it was screaming for attention.

I remember last grammys she threw a fit because Beyonce called Tina Turned the Queen of Soul and Aretha said she was the ONLY Queen of Soul. After complaining about it some more Beyonce's dad said that Aretha was acting like a child so she should shut it. And she did!

 

[teacups]

I understand, but history was a big part of what was so moving about this to me. .

I think it's fine that it was part of the reason it was moving to you. I understand what you mean now (thank you). BUT still.. not everyone should be expected to give praise on the basis of a history that didnt "touch" them.

 

[tinatark]

I didn't mind the hat - but thought the singing was terrible.

 

[Charade]

I think it's fine that it was part of the reason it was moving to you. I understand what you mean now (thank you). BUT still.. not everyone should be expected to give praise on the basis of a history that didnt "touch" them.

I just had a looooooooooooooooooong "conversation" with my wife about this very thought.

She can't understand why I'm not as euphoric as she (and obviously many others are) is. It *is* a great moment for the country, no doubt, but it *was* inevitable.

I really want us to get to the point where we are past all the "firsts" and either be happy that your guy(or gal) won or crawl into a corner with a bottle of Jim Beam.

 

[teacups]

I just had a looooooooooooooooooong "conversation" with my wife about this very thought.

She can't understand why I'm not as euphoric as she (and obviously many others are) is. It *is* a great moment for the country, no doubt, but it *was* inevitable.

I really want us to get to the point where we are past all the "firsts" and either be happy that your guy(or gal) won or crawl into a corner with a bottle of Jim Beam.

I know what you mean. I watched and I agree it was a historical moment, and I like Obama... but it was the singing (and the horrid poem) that I cant get emotional about. YACK is YACK no matter why it made it onstage. At least if the poem gal had been wearing that hat... it would have been an entertaining way to hear that dreadful poem.

 

[teacups]

I told you he would look adorable!

Looks like he's been drinkin' all night!

 

[CLEVERGIRL]

I tried to stay off this thread but I can't take it any more. The hat is a part of an African American tradition of dressing for extra special events including church and other social events. History shows that back in the day, a lady whether black or white, did not leave home without a hat, gloves, and hose to complete her outfit. Now Black women still embrace hats as part of Sunday and special dress. The bigger and more flamboyant the hat, The more extravagant the lady. As for the singing it was cold and Ms. Franklin is no longer 25 years old. She is still one of the best singers out there. I saw someone post youtube videos of her performing. Someone should find the one where she filled in for Luciano Pavarotti at the last minute. She did Nessun Dorma and it was extraordinary. Say what you will about Aretha, she is a legend!! The woman is an inspiration to so many. That's why you hear people trying to do her songs on shows like American Idol. So all of you that are hating on The Queen, let's hear you sing some opera and compare yours to hers.

 

[Disney Doll]

Hated how she did the song. Had no problem with the hat.

 

[luvmy3]

Looks like he's been drinkin' all night!

He would have to have been drinking to wear a hat like that

I tried to stay off this thread but I can't take it any more. The hat is a part of an African American tradition of dressing for extra special events including church and other social events. History shows that back in the day, a lady whether black or white, did not leave home without a hat, gloves, and hose to complete her outfit. Now Black women still embrace hats as part of Sunday and special dress. The bigger and more flamboyant the hat, The more extravagant the lady. As for the singing it was cold and Ms. Franklin is no longer 25 years old. She is still one of the best singers out there. I saw someone post youtube videos of her performing. Someone should find the one where she filled in for Luciano Pavarotti at the last minute. She did Nessun Dorma and it was extraordinary. Say what you will about Aretha, she is a legend!! The woman is an inspiration to so many. That's why you hear people trying to do her songs on shows like American Idol. So all of you that are hating on The Queen, let's hear you sing some opera and compare yours to hers.

A liitle touchy are we?
Commenting on her poor vocal performance and her poor choice in head atire is not "hating"

 

[*Fantasia*]

I tried to stay off this thread but I can't take it any more. The hat is a part of an African American tradition of dressing for extra special events including church and other social events. History shows that back in the day, a lady whether black or white, did not leave home without a hat, gloves, and hose to complete her outfit. Now Black women still embrace hats as part of Sunday and special dress. The bigger and more flamboyant the hat, The more extravagant the lady. As for the singing it was cold and Ms. Franklin is no longer 25 years old. She is still one of the best singers out there. I saw someone post youtube videos of her performing. Someone should find the one where she filled in for Luciano Pavarotti at the last minute. She did Nessun Dorma and it was extraordinary. Say what you will about Aretha, she is a legend!! The woman is an inspiration to so many. That's why you hear people trying to do her songs on shows like American Idol. So all of you that are hating on The Queen, let's hear you sing some opera and compare yours to hers.

i know. my in-laws are african-american. they wear hats because they want to dress up for special events/occasions.. such as church (it's a big deal to them). black women (if i may use that word) wear dress hat very well. i'm not a hat person, so i don't own one, except my winter hat.

i thought aretha franklin looked great and sang her "soul" out. i love her hat. i thought it looked really nice on her. i like her.. she's from detroit (actually detroit suburb). she is a legend... a very inspiring woman.

 

[chisnpeke]

I tried to stay off this thread but I can't take it any more. The hat is a part of an African American tradition of dressing for extra special events including church and other social events. History shows that back in the day, a lady whether black or white, did not leave home without a hat, gloves, and hose to complete her outfit. Now Black women still embrace hats as part of Sunday and special dress. The bigger and more flamboyant the hat, The more extravagant the lady. As for the singing it was cold and Ms. Franklin is no longer 25 years old. She is still one of the best singers out there. I saw someone post youtube videos of her performing. Someone should find the one where she filled in for Luciano Pavarotti at the last minute. She did Nessun Dorma and it was extraordinary. Say what you will about Aretha, she is a legend!! The woman is an inspiration to so many. That's why you hear people trying to do her songs on shows like American Idol. So all of you that are hating on The Queen, let's hear you sing some opera and compare yours to hers.

I like big hats. I wish they were more in style. I didn't like that hat in particular. The bow was not to my liking. I don't think it's hating to not like her hat. I also didn't think she sounded good. She was on The View before Christmas and I didn't think she sounded good either. I think she was good when she was younger. Those songs are why she is a legend. Sheesh.

 

[Buckalew11]

I would also think the whole scene was probably a bit overwhelming to her emotionally.

I did not know the history between her father and MLK. It is all very interesting.

Honestly, I love to see African American women dressed to the nines.

 

[teacups]

I tried to stay off this thread but I can't take it any more. The hat is a part of an African American tradition of dressing for extra special events including church and other social events. History shows that back in the day, a lady whether black or white, did not leave home without a hat, gloves, and hose to complete her outfit. Now Black women still embrace hats as part of Sunday and special dress. The bigger and more flamboyant the hat, The more extravagant the lady. As for the singing it was cold and Ms. Franklin is no longer 25 years old. She is still one of the best singers out there. I saw someone post youtube videos of her performing. Someone should find the one where she filled in for Luciano Pavarotti at the last minute. She did Nessun Dorma and it was extraordinary. Say what you will about Aretha, she is a legend!! The woman is an inspiration to so many. That's why you hear people trying to do her songs on shows like American Idol. So all of you that are hating on The Queen, let's hear you sing some opera and compare yours to hers.

Seriously?
Hearing me sing opera would prove she sang good at that event?
My dog sings good compared to me! (and he doesnt even own a hat.)

I think we better come up with a different test.

 

[Charade]

I tried to stay off this thread but I can't take it any more. The hat is a part of an African American tradition of dressing for extra special events including church and other social events. History shows that back in the day, a lady whether black or white, did not leave home without a hat, gloves, and hose to complete her outfit. Now Black women still embrace hats as part of Sunday and special dress. The bigger and more flamboyant the hat, The more extravagant the lady. As for the singing it was cold and Ms. Franklin is no longer 25 years old. She is still one of the best singers out there. I saw someone post youtube videos of her performing. Someone should find the one where she filled in for Luciano Pavarotti at the last minute. She did Nessun Dorma and it was extraordinary. Say what you will about Aretha, she is a legend!! The woman is an inspiration to so many. That's why you hear people trying to do her songs on shows like American Idol. So all of you that are hating on The Queen, let's hear you sing some opera and compare yours to hers.

Oh good grief!!! Now I didn't read this whole thread but I don't see ANYONE "hating" on "The Queen". So some people didn't like the hat. Big deal. I'm pretty sure it had nothing to with the tradition of black women and their hats. Why in the world do the most innocent of criticisms have take on a racial tone?


Maybe she's still "one of the best singers out there" but it wasn't Tuesday.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I LOVE Aretha just couldn't get past that hat!

 

[Sparx]

i actually loved her hat.