As the Queen of Soul prepares for the release of her new albumAretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics, she took a moment to talk about her new LP and the women behind the music.
During an interview, Franklin spoke about her cover for Adele's 'Rolling in the Deep' saying, "She’s a really good writer with very heavy, deep lyrics. She’s got something to say and she says it a little differently than the norm. But Miss Adele is not one to be messed with, listening to those lyrics!"
Franklin also shared that her jazz club days had a heavy influence on her much anticipated track produced by Andre 3000. In the song entitled, "Nothing," she infuses playful scatting that channels the swinging era.
Andre 3000 had only one word to describe the song to Sony Chief Creative Officer Clive Davis after recording the track, "amazing."
Clive Davis, who accompanied Franklin for the interview revealed that he played a big role in the new project and its direction. "I proposed the covers album concept to Aretha," said Davis. "The criteria was: how do you find the song you love, that you want to pay respect to, but do it with creativity, originality, difference?"
The result is a collection of songs from fellow vocalists such as Adele, Alicia Keys, Etta James, Cissy Houston and Gloria Gaynor.
"I grew up with these songs. "I had a wonderful time singing those songs; I identify with them," said Franklin.
As far as what constitutes a real singer? The Queen of Soul dubbed "savoir faire" as the main factor.
When it comes to her own legacy, Franklin spoke on what her influence means, "It really is an honor if I can be inspirational to a younger singer or person," she said. "It means I’ve done my job."
Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics hits stores October 21.
