Aretha Franklin Nails Adele’s ‘Rolling In The Deep’ On New Covers Album [Video]
Aretha Franklin proved that she is still the Queen of Soul this week when she released her cover of Adele’s “Rolling In the Deep” and brought David Letterman’s audience to their feet with her performance on “The Late Show.”
Fans and critics alike are raving over her soulful rendition of the 2010 hit that launched Adele’s career, and the video already has over 2 million hits on YouTube and Vevo.
Watch the soul diva’s show stopping live performance and see if you agree.
http://youtu.be/Bl8iBkjnRdA
Rolling Stone reports that Aretha said Adele made the grade as a true diva, remarking that “Rolling in the Deep” was “what contemporary music needs more of.”
“I absolutely loved her CD. In addition to being a great singer, she’s a really good writer with very heavy, deep lyrics. She doesn’t write the usual or the norm. 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!”
The song is the first single release from Franklin’s new album, Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics, which was a bit of a surprise for fans reports The Inquisitr, as few details were released about it until recently.
Aretha reaches back through several decades, covering the all-time greats. Other songs from the album include Alicia Keys’ “No One,” Etta James’ “At Last,” and Gladys Knight’s and the Pips’ “Midnight Train to Georgia.” The covers aren’t confined to R&B and soul music, though – Aretha puts her special mark on hits by Barbara Streisand, Destiny’s Child, and Sinead O’Connor as well.
The 72-year-old singer is in great form, despite a few years of rumors that her health was failing. According to Billboard, she exhibited her vigor at New York City’s 92Y when she joined Clive Davis for a discussion of the new album with music journalist Anthony DeCurtis.
Franklin was dancing in her seat, sassing both Davis and DeCurtis, and posing for photos at the interview. When DeCurtis asked her how she was feeling Aretha replied, “Everything is good.” She also mentioned that the recording for Diva Classics was done over the past few years, between tours and recuperation.
Music mogul and longtime collaborator Clive Davis raved about Aretha’s ability to transform the songs she covered with her distinctive style, citing her signature song and mega-hit, “Respect,” a cover of an Otis Redding song.
“Aretha was not the first one to record ‘Respect’ but she made it her own,” he said. “We’ve got to do it different, we’ve got to do it exciting, and we’ve got to make it your own.”
“This incredible voice should record forever,” Davis said.
Aretha’s fans can’t agree more.
[Image via RCA Records/AP]
