12/23/2023 0 Comments Aretha franklin sparkle 1976![]() ![]() The instrumental tracks Curtis Mayfield produces at his Curtom Studio in Chicago always sound a little contrived. Review by Robert Palmer, Rolling Stone, August 12, 1976 ![]() Palmer’s original review of the record is pretty spot-on so I am including it here (even his observations of Curtis’ production “formula” by the mid-70s is on point - I just happen to still really like his formula.) Apparently, the film was remade in 2012, which I didn’t even know until making this blog post. I’ve never seen the film and am not in a huge hurry to see it: this was the era of soundtracks being exponentially better than their associated films, after all. They also covered (less memorably) ‘Hooked On Your Love’ from this album. The first track that really jumps out at you from this album is “Giving Him Something He Can Feel,” which – if I am completely honest with my readers, and when am I not? – I almost definitely first heard as the cool remake by En Vogue in 1992. These two titans both managed to be pioneers in their field, voices for civil rights and black liberation, and tremendously successful commercially, so they are on the short list of artists who can tick all those boxes. But I’ve been happily busy “in the real world” and am well overdue for a blog post, and rather than add my own verbosity to the amen corner praising Aretha, I thought I’d just share one of her under-appreciated gems, a collaboration with the luminous Curtis Mayfield. ![]() Some well-done, some shallow and superficial. There have been no shortage of eulogies and retrospectives on the life and career of the great Aretha Franklin in the last few weeks. Producer, composed and arranged by Curtis Mayfield ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |