Aretha Franklin's So Damn Happy
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Mostly I’ve neglected Aretha Franklin’s post-Atlantic recordings. Although many say they are mediocre, which mostly wouldn’t be a huge surprise, I’m sure there’s some pleasurable singing buried there.
So Damn Happy came in the shop and I’ve just finished my first listening. I find some of the backing vocals distracting, backing vocals are easily a distraction with a great soloist. And at first hearing they sound like the same backups on many a hip-hop CD. Maybe my perspective will change when I listen to the CD again.
Happily there’s plenty of Franklin’s gospel-born fire on So Damn Happy’s. Always a pleasure to see a singer you’ve long admired still has her gifts.