EXCLUSIVE: Aretha Franklin Will Drop “Surprise” Album on 9/30 with Sensational Adele Cover

EXCLUSIVE: Aretha Franklin Will Drop “Surprise” Album on 9/30 with Sensational Adele Cover

EXCLUSIVE: In the year of the surprise album (Beyonce, U2) comes the nicest one of all: Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul, will drop her first new album in many years on September 30th courtesy of Clive Davis. Seems impossible but even as we speak Aretha has finished her vocals, Babyface and a few others are working with Clive to finish the mixes, the album art is done and pr whiz Theola Borden at RCA-Arista is revving up the media.

Aretha make a historic appearance on David Letterman on September 29th to announce the album. And she will sing the lead single, which will blow your minds. I heard it today. Aretha has recorded her own spectacular version of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” Yes, that “Rolling in the Deep.” And with all respect to Adele, which Aretha gives, this version of the song is jaw dropping. It swings and rocks.

Aretha then hits the Today show October 3rd. In between, on October 1st, she and Clive appear in a Q&A at the 92nd St. Y that is going to be jammed with media. It’s already sold out.

The album is called, tentatively, “Aretha Franklin Sings Songs of the Great Divas.” It’s a tribute to ten different women, with Aretha re-interpreting their songs. Babyface and Andre 3000 are among the producers. Clive is executive producers. They all came up with the songs together.

The tracks are completely brilliant, and a breath of fresh freaking air. If you thought Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, Annie Lennox, and Barbra Streisand were going to be Grammy favorites, add Aretha to that mix, and stand back.

Right now, Clive and the team are speeding toward a 9/30 release to make the Grammy deadline. If nothing else, it will go digital that day. Physical CDs will follow immediately.

So many things to say here: the long fruitful collaboration between Aretha and Clive is summed up in this stunning collection. Plus, the Queen of Soul has never sounded better. Her unique and imaginative phrasing breathes new life into songs she always wanted to record, and has sometimes sung in concert. Davis’s passion for the music, and for Aretha’s career, is not only unabated, it’s more fervent than ever.

The song choices, curated by Clive, Aretha and Babyface, include “Teach Me Tonight,” which Phoebe Snow re-popularized in the 70s, Gladys Knight’s “Midnight Train to Georgia,” Alicia Keys’s “No One,” Barbra Streisand’s classic “People,” Whitney Houston’s (and Chaka Khan’s) “I’m Every Woman, as well as a cover of a Supremes hit, Etta James’s “At Last,” Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” and Sinead O’Connor’s “No One Compares 2 U.”

The songs have been recharted and rearranged, re-orchestrated in some really cool ways. This isn’t just a “covers album.” It’s our premiere singer recording songs she’s loved and hasn’t had a chance to do. It’s important for that and so many reasons. Plus, we get to hear a lot of Aretha playing the piano, which is always a treat.

I am floored. I was invited up to Sony today by Clive, who said: “I want to play you some of Aretha Franklin’s new tracks.” I thought they were for an album in the future, like February. He’s 82, and is playing the music so loud you can hear it down 35 floors and across the street at the Hickey Freeman store. He’s also playing Jennifer Hudson’s new album, and showing me videos for the Whitney Houston live DVD coming November 11th. I’m asking to turn the volume down! This is what the music biz used to be like. You say Amazing, but you have no idea.

My bet: radio will be blaring the new “Rolling in the Deep” the minute it breaks as if it were a new song. Very, very clever.

EXCLUSIVE: In the year of the surprise album (Beyonce, U2) comes the nicest one of all: Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul, will drop her first new album in many years on September 30th courtesy of Clive Davis. Seems impossible but even as we speak Aretha has finished her vocals, Babyface and a few others are working with Clive to finish the mixes, the album art is done and pr whiz Theola Borden at RCA-Arista is revving up the media.

Aretha make a historic appearance on David Letterman on September 29th to announce the album. And she will sing the lead single, which will blow your minds. I heard it today. Aretha has recorded her own spectacular version of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” Yes, that “Rolling in the Deep.” And with all respect to Adele, which Aretha gives, this version of the song is jaw dropping. It swings and rocks.

Aretha then hits the Today show October 3rd. In between, on October 1st, she and Clive appear in a Q&A at the 92nd St. Y that is going to be jammed with media. It’s already sold out.

The album is called, tentatively, “Aretha Franklin Sings Songs of the Great Divas.” It’s a tribute to ten different women, with Aretha re-interpreting their songs. Babyface and Andre 3000 are among the producers. Clive is executive producers. They all came up with the songs together.

The tracks are completely brilliant, and a breath of fresh freaking air. If you thought Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, Annie Lennox, and Barbra Streisand were going to be Grammy favorites, add Aretha to that mix, and stand back.

Right now, Clive and the team are speeding toward a 9/30 release to make the Grammy deadline. If nothing else, it will go digital that day. Physical CDs will follow immediately.

So many things to say here: the long fruitful collaboration between Aretha and Clive is summed up in this stunning collection. Plus, the Queen of Soul has never sounded better. Her unique and imaginative phrasing breathes new life into songs she always wanted to record, and has sometimes sung in concert. Davis’s passion for the music, and for Aretha’s career, is not only unabated, it’s more fervent than ever.

The song choices, curated by Clive, Aretha and Babyface, include “Teach Me Tonight,” which Phoebe Snow re-popularized in the 70s, Gladys Knight’s “Midnight Train to Georgia,” Alicia Keys’s “No One,” Barbra Streisand’s classic “People,” Whitney Houston’s (and Chaka Khan’s) “I’m Every Woman, as well as a cover of a Supremes hit, Etta James’s “At Last,” Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” and Sinead O’Connor’s “No One Compares 2 U.”

The songs have been recharted and rearranged, re-orchestrated in some really cool ways. This isn’t just a “covers album.” It’s our premiere singer recording songs she’s loved and hasn’t had a chance to do. It’s important for that and so many reasons. Plus, we get to hear a lot of Aretha playing the piano, which is always a treat.

I am floored. I was invited up to Sony today by Clive, who said: “I want to play you some of Aretha Franklin’s new tracks.” I thought they were for an album in the future, like February. He’s 82, and is playing the music so loud you can hear it down 35 floors and across the street at the Hickey Freeman store. He’s also playing Jennifer Hudson’s new album, and showing me videos for the Whitney Houston live DVD coming November 11th. I’m asking to turn the volume down! This is what the music biz used to be like. You say Amazing, but you have no idea.

My bet: radio will be blaring the new “Rolling in the Deep” the minute it breaks as if it were a new song. Very, very clever.

[Edited 9/17/14 19:05pm]

Isn't that the same day of the dawning of the

awhile back,I heard that Aretha was gonna cover Donna Summer's "Last Dance" on this album,but I don't see it listed anywhere in this article.

In any case,I'm sure this will be a good album but I don't go crazy over covers albums.Would have been better to have an album of all-new songs from Aretha.

Aah, you spoiled the surprise!

SoulAlive said:

SuperSoulFighter said:

SoulAlive said:

awhile back,I heard that Aretha was gonna cover Donna Summer's "Last Dance" on this album,but I don't see it listed anywhere in this article.

In any case,I'm sure this will be a good album but I don't go crazy over covers albums.Would have been better to have an album of all-new songs from Aretha.

And backed by a real band.

so, you want aretha band to back prince..you . my friend are a nitwit

Seems like all veteran artists are doing covers albums these days. I doubt this will be as great as the write up claims it will be, especially since Aretha hasn't had a consistently good album out in ages.

P.S. Clive Davis is

whitesockedfunk said:

Seems like all veteran artists are doing covers albums these days. I doubt this will be as great as the write up claims it will be, especially since Aretha hasn't had a consistently good album out in ages.

P.S. Clive Davis is

roger friedman is a troll for clive and arista...no one cares about an aretah cover of a song that was huge several years ago..why listent o that when you can just put on adele

RnBAmbassador said:

" and Sinead O’Connor’s “No One Compares 2 U.”

[Edited 9/17/14 19:05pm]

Ah yes, No One Compares 2 U, that classic song written by Sinead O'Connor ...

Miles said:

RnBAmbassador said:

" and Sinead O’Connor’s “No One Compares 2 U.”

[Edited 9/17/14 19:05pm]

Ah yes, No One Compares 2 U, that classic song written by Sinead O'Connor ...

Although I generally HATE covers albums, there have been some over the past couple of years that have been rather impressive. Patti Austin and Jeffrey Osborne come to mind. I look forward to having a new product from Aretha. I definately wasn't expecting it so soon!

I think Aretha's got this one on lock! Everybody's covered her stuff so why not? What she did with the Doobie Brothers' "What a Fool Believes" from her 1980 Aretha album is just so damn funky!

Miles said:

RnBAmbassador said:

EXCLUSIVE: Aretha Franklin Will Drop “Surprise” Album on 9/30 with Sensational Adele Cover

EXCLUSIVE: Aretha Franklin Will Drop “Surprise” Album on 9/30 with Sensational Adele Cover

EXCLUSIVE: In the year of the surprise album (Beyonce, U2) comes the nicest one of all: Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul, will drop her first new album in many years on September 30th courtesy of Clive Davis. Seems impossible but even as we speak Aretha has finished her vocals, Babyface and a few others are working with Clive to finish the mixes, the album art is done and pr whiz Theola Borden at RCA-Arista is revving up the media.

Aretha make a historic appearance on David Letterman on September 29th to announce the album. And she will sing the lead single, which will blow your minds. I heard it today. Aretha has recorded her own spectacular version of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” Yes, that “Rolling in the Deep.” And with all respect to Adele, which Aretha gives, this version of the song is jaw dropping. It swings and rocks.

Aretha then hits the Today show October 3rd. In between, on October 1st, she and Clive appear in a Q&A at the 92nd St. Y that is going to be jammed with media. It’s already sold out.

The album is called, tentatively, “Aretha Franklin Sings Songs of the Great Divas.” It’s a tribute to ten different women, with Aretha re-interpreting their songs. Babyface and Andre 3000 are among the producers. Clive is executive producers. They all came up with the songs together.

The tracks are completely brilliant, and a breath of fresh freaking air. If you thought Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, Annie Lennox, and Barbra Streisand were going to be Grammy favorites, add Aretha to that mix, and stand back.

Right now, Clive and the team are speeding toward a 9/30 release to make the Grammy deadline. If nothing else, it will go digital that day. Physical CDs will follow immediately.

So many things to say here: the long fruitful collaboration between Aretha and Clive is summed up in this stunning collection. Plus, the Queen of Soul has never sounded better. Her unique and imaginative phrasing breathes new life into songs she always wanted to record, and has sometimes sung in concert. Davis’s passion for the music, and for Aretha’s career, is not only unabated, it’s more fervent than ever.

The song choices, curated by Clive, Aretha and Babyface, include “Teach Me Tonight,” which Phoebe Snow re-popularized in the 70s, Gladys Knight’s “Midnight Train to Georgia,” Alicia Keys’s “No One,” Barbra Streisand’s classic “People,” Whitney Houston’s (and Chaka Khan’s) “I’m Every Woman, as well as a cover of a Supremes hit, Etta James’s “At Last,” Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” and Sinead O’Connor’s “No One Compares 2 U.”

The songs have been recharted and rearranged, re-orchestrated in some really cool ways. This isn’t just a “covers album.” It’s our premiere singer recording songs she’s loved and hasn’t had a chance to do. It’s important for that and so many reasons. Plus, we get to hear a lot of Aretha playing the piano, which is always a treat.

I am floored. I was invited up to Sony today by Clive, who said: “I want to play you some of Aretha Franklin’s new tracks.” I thought they were for an album in the future, like February. He’s 82, and is playing the music so loud you can hear it down 35 floors and across the street at the Hickey Freeman store. He’s also playing Jennifer Hudson’s new album, and showing me videos for the Whitney Houston live DVD coming November 11th. I’m asking to turn the volume down! This is what the music biz used to be like. You say Amazing, but you have no idea.

My bet: radio will be blaring the new “Rolling in the Deep” the minute it breaks as if it were a new song. Very, very clever.

EXCLUSIVE: In the year of the surprise album (Beyonce, U2) comes the nicest one of all: Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul, will drop her first new album in many years on September 30th courtesy of Clive Davis. Seems impossible but even as we speak Aretha has finished her vocals, Babyface and a few others are working with Clive to finish the mixes, the album art is done and pr whiz Theola Borden at RCA-Arista is revving up the media.

Aretha make a historic appearance on David Letterman on September 29th to announce the album. And she will sing the lead single, which will blow your minds. I heard it today. Aretha has recorded her own spectacular version of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” Yes, that “Rolling in the Deep.” And with all respect to Adele, which Aretha gives, this version of the song is jaw dropping. It swings and rocks.

Aretha then hits the Today show October 3rd. In between, on October 1st, she and Clive appear in a Q&A at the 92nd St. Y that is going to be jammed with media. It’s already sold out.

The album is called, tentatively, “Aretha Franklin Sings Songs of the Great Divas.” It’s a tribute to ten different women, with Aretha re-interpreting their songs. Babyface and Andre 3000 are among the producers. Clive is executive producers. They all came up with the songs together.

The tracks are completely brilliant, and a breath of fresh freaking air. If you thought Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, Annie Lennox, and Barbra Streisand were going to be Grammy favorites, add Aretha to that mix, and stand back.

Right now, Clive and the team are speeding toward a 9/30 release to make the Grammy deadline. If nothing else, it will go digital that day. Physical CDs will follow immediately.

So many things to say here: the long fruitful collaboration between Aretha and Clive is summed up in this stunning collection. Plus, the Queen of Soul has never sounded better. Her unique and imaginative phrasing breathes new life into songs she always wanted to record, and has sometimes sung in concert. Davis’s passion for the music, and for Aretha’s career, is not only unabated, it’s more fervent than ever.

The song choices, curated by Clive, Aretha and Babyface, include “Teach Me Tonight,” which Phoebe Snow re-popularized in the 70s, Gladys Knight’s “Midnight Train to Georgia,” Alicia Keys’s “No One,” Barbra Streisand’s classic “People,” Whitney Houston’s (and Chaka Khan’s) “I’m Every Woman, as well as a cover of a Supremes hit, Etta James’s “At Last,” Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” and Sinead O’Connor’s “No One Compares 2 U.”

The songs have been recharted and rearranged, re-orchestrated in some really cool ways. This isn’t just a “covers album.” It’s our premiere singer recording songs she’s loved and hasn’t had a chance to do. It’s important for that and so many reasons. Plus, we get to hear a lot of Aretha playing the piano, which is always a treat.

I am floored. I was invited up to Sony today by Clive, who said: “I want to play you some of Aretha Franklin’s new tracks.” I thought they were for an album in the future, like February. He’s 82, and is playing the music so loud you can hear it down 35 floors and across the street at the Hickey Freeman store. He’s also playing Jennifer Hudson’s new album, and showing me videos for the Whitney Houston live DVD coming November 11th. I’m asking to turn the volume down! This is what the music biz used to be like. You say Amazing, but you have no idea.

My bet: radio will be blaring the new “Rolling in the Deep” the minute it breaks as if it were a new song. Very, very clever.

[Edited 9/17/14 19:05pm]

-

-

“Aretha Franklin Sings Songs of the Great Divas.” Really Clive? You couldn't come up with something better than that?

-

With the lame tentative album title aside, I do look forward to hearing her take on several of those. Just the thought of Aretha singing Prince gives me goosebumps. She will probably kill, "Nothing Compares 2 U."

thesoulbrother said:

I think Aretha's got this one on lock! Everybody's covered her stuff so why not? What she did with the Doobie Brothers' "What a Fool Believes" from her 1980 Aretha album is just so damn funky!

I think she did a pretty good job covering Sam & Dave's Hold On I'm Comin', Jumpin Jack Flash as well as her own take on It's My Turn which was also done by Diana Ross.

Aretha's biggest hit "Respect" is a cover of an Otis Redding song. Other big covers have been "Chain Of Fools", "Bridge Over Troubled Water", "Until You Come Back To Me", "Don't Play That Song" and "See Saw".

Album cut covers that have been really good are: "It's My Turn", "Hold On I'm Coming", "What A Fool Believes", "Come To Me", "Son Of A Preacher Man", "Oh Me Oh My", to name a few.

Aretha's biggest hit "Respect" is a cover of an Otis Redding song. Other big covers have been "Chain Of Fools", "Bridge Over Troubled Water", "Until You Come Back To Me", "Don't Play That Song" and "See Saw".

Album cut covers that have been really good are: "It's My Turn", "Hold On I'm Coming", "What A Fool Believes", "Come To Me", "Son Of A Preacher Man", "Oh Me Oh My", to name a few.

Yes, She do a lot of covers. (Even Prince likes doing them...)
But unlike others, Mostly she takes the songs and make them "her own", and that's what is separating her from the others.

Her cover for The Beatles's "eleanor rigby" is a work of funky art!

I'm really looking forward for this album.

And I think it will draw a lot of media attention when it drops.

I'm sure Prince PR is a bit concered if it really drops on the same day.

She, unlike prince, will show up on TV shows to promote it.

By the way, Whats with the hatered towards Clive? Whats the reason for that?

lwr001 said:

so, you want aretha band to back prince..you . my friend are a nitwit

I sincerely hope English isn't your first language. That would be the only reasonable explaination. I can catch lightening in a bottle and I still don't know what the fuck you just said. No one said anything about Aretha having a band that backs Prince. What was said was it would be nice if Aretha had a BAND backing her on HER new album as opposed to Babyface, his shitty drum machine and some random session musicians. No one said ANYTHING about Aretha's non-existant band backing Prince. How do you use the internet without knowing how to read?

Clive Davis is a record executive, so he's automatically a piece of shit for that. He is not evil, however, just because Michael Jackson's stupid ass said he was the devil.

dgil72 said:

Yes, She do a lot of covers. (Even Prince likes doing them...)
But unlike others, Mostly she takes the songs and make them "her own", and that's what is separating her from the others.

Her cover for The Beatles's "eleanor rigby" is a work of funky art!

I'm really looking forward for this album.

And I think it will draw a lot of media attention when it drops.

I'm sure Prince PR is a bit concered if it really drops on the same day.

She, unlike prince, will show up on TV shows to promote it.

By the way, Whats with the hatered towards Clive? Whats the reason for that?

I woulldn't say I hate Clive. But, a lot of people are not too fond of him because of the kind of treatment Phyllis Hyman received when she was with Arista and how Clive dropped her from the label when he found Nippy - aka the new Diana Ross. Just the way the whole thing went down with Phyllis was probably not very tasteful (although I feel Phyllis being dropped from Arista was the best thing that happened to her). But, Phyllis was responsible for some of the bad blood that was going on between the two, being defiant and refusing to live up to certain things Clive was asking or expecting of her.

There have been many people in the industry who say Clive simply never understood the importance of R&B music and having black artists connect to their black audience. Clive was all about cross-over Pop hits. Never really happened with Aretha because Aretha was R&B, no getting away from that. Although Clive did try to move her in a more Pop direction several times.

According to Billboard, she has already finished songs from Gladys Knight, Barbra Streisand, Donna Summer, and Tina Turner. Next up on the roster is Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep.” André 3000 is going to help the singer finish the album, taking over for Don Was after he had to back out. “I’m pretty sure it’s going to be fun working with (Andre 3000), just watching his videos and things,” Franklin said. “It should be fun. And, of course, they all come with great music, so I expect that.” It sure will be fun to see how this all turns out for Aretha, who is a diva in her own right.

Coincidentally (or perhaps not), September 30th is also the last day for eligibility for the upcoming Grammy nominations. While very few have heard any of the album, and therefore can’t speak to where it ranks among other titles that have been released in the past twelve months, this is sure to be in the minds of voters when they begin looking for who to honor.

steakfinger said:

Clive Davis is a record executive, so he's automatically a piece of shit for that. He is not evil, however, just because Michael Jackson's stupid ass said he was the devil.

MJ referred to Tommy as the devil, it was not directed to Clive.

Clive is a slime ball for what he did to Whitney and a number of other things. F*** him

Aretha's main gift is to interpret songs with her voice and experience. This will be outstanding, and I dig the song choices.

getxxxx said:

The Queen of Soul will release an album Oct. 21 covering classic songs from other female singers. "Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics"

Darn, I was kinda hoping it was still tomorrow.