Right up there with the great jazz vocalists--That Swanee is amazing.

Oh yes, she was a part of my life. “Natural Woman” was in my mind when I was in Egypt long ago, and expressed something of the intense joy and being untethered from everything but love that I felt then. Earlier in hard times she brought “soul serenade” to cool my heart. She was there with “Chain of Fools” which was a warning. The way these songs weave through one’s life, as if she was a close friend in the form of a voice.

Fab links, Nemo --- imagine actually being in the room that night at the Fillmore!! What a perfomance! And Ray!! The whole experience is genius.

Move with the spirit, indeed....

Actually, Cally, I got the link from a friend of mine's post on Facebook. He was seventeen years old, and had traveled a few hours to San Francisco with some biddies, and was actually there. He said it was life-changing. And this was the old pre-high-security days. It was intimate, he was pressed right up against the stage!

Nemo

Wow. Just wowsie. I could feel the whole room, the experience, watching it -- felt I was there, and began imagining being there. The whole space and everything in the space, including the microphones and the walls, were so obviously animated, ecstatic, in the real sense of that word. I completely understand this experience would be life-changing. So grateful you shared this one, Nemo. I've bookmarked it. Thank gourd there is this video of it.

From this New Yorker tribute:

Etta James once recalled listening to Franklin’s version of Johnny Mercer and Hoagy Carmichael’s standard “Skylark.” In the second verse, Franklin jumps an octave. “I had to scratch my head and ask myself, How the fuck did that bitch do that? I remember running into Sarah Vaughan, who always intimidated me. Sarah said, ‘Have you heard of this Aretha Franklin girl?’ I said, ‘You heard her do ‘Skylark,’ didn’t you?’ Sarah said, ‘Yes, I did, and I’m never singing that song again.’ ”

Skylark

--David R.

She was a brilliant cover artist. Here is one of my favorite recordings of her, and one of my favorite covers by anyone: Elton John's "Border Song."

-- David R.

David, that's a great Sarah Vaughan quote! Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed Holy Moses as well. What a light she was.

Cheers,
John

David R! Great to see you. The gospel arrangement of "Border Song" is fabulous, gave me chills.

I've always loved this two-fer diva pop song with the late great George Michael. It's great seeing them together like this -- and you can't tell me that some gay man wasn't heavily involved in the production / direction.

Yes, George Michael, who started by doing pop in Wham! and ended up dueting with Aretha. And holding up his end. It's a great duet, thanks for posting.
I love her getting ready. And when they touch.

Cheers,
John