Friday, August 17, 2018

The Queen of Soul Lives On

Yesterday, we lost one of the greatest voices to ever sing. Aretha Franklin could not only sing across all genres, she could also play the piano, and most of all she was a soul speaker, one who was there in your darkest hour and your highest triumph. And I must admit, I feel as my childhood continues to slip away into the death that awaits all of us. But, this is not a sad tribute, this is a celebration because one of daughter's favorite singers is the Queen herself, which means she lives on.

Some of the first songs, I started humming in my grandmother's house was Chain of Fools, Respect and Precious Lord/Old Landmark from the live recording at her father's church in the heart of Detroit. Whenever I had my heart broken or my spirit crushed, I would turn to her records to soothe me back to my joy. Her voice rocked me to power and she would return the swagger to my step. She wore whatever she wanted and when she dropped that fur coat at the White House concert honoring Carole King, it is because she always had negative fucks to give. And Amen to all of that!

She was the light to all the invisible Black girls everywhere. She gave us power and relevance. She also inspired an entire generation and style of music, once she switched to Atlantic Records (because Columbia had no idea what to do with all of that). And then her voice became the life blood of soul music. Its steady heartbeat. And no matter if she originated the song or it was a cover, it always became an ORIGINAL once her voice stamped it. Not many singers can say the same thing.

I will always love you Aretha. My heart is truly sad, but I am grateful that I got to see you live and that my Maya loves your music just as much as I do.  And I will play all of your music so that your spirit can continue to uplift mine. God has welcomed a true angel and I know that the choir is now elevated with a new soloist.