Aretha Franklin inaugural solo available digitally
The Queen of Soul will release her inaugural solo of "My Country Tis of Thee'' digitally this week.
Aretha Franklin says there's been a huge demand for her soulful version of the song since her Jan. 20 performance at the inauguration of President Barack Obama.
And this one, she says, will be much better than her performance at the swearing-in ceremony where temperatures dipped below freezing. Days after, she told CNN's Larry King she was not happy with her performance.
"It is my objective to always give people the very best and I couldn't do that unfortunately in 19 degree weather in Washington at the swearing-in ceremony," the Queen of Soul says in a news release. "So the preferred version for me is the very best that I would present singing the anthem. January 20 and the swearing-in ceremony was without a doubt, a career high and it was a morning to top all mornings to date."
Look for "My Country Tis of Thee'' on iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Napster, eMusic, GroupieTunes, Lala, Shockhound and AmieStreet.
Meanwhile, Franklin's stock keeps going up. The Museum of American History in Washington wants Franklin to donate her big-bowed hat she wore to the inauguration, which has gotten a considerable amount of ink and cyber space by those who loved the hat or hated it.
No word on whether Franklin will donate the hat. But last week, she was seriously considering the proposition.
Comments
I am so thankful that Ms. Franklin did NOT lip-synch. I would have felt cheated. I was in that freezing crowd and could tell that her voice was affected by the frigid conditions. But that's what is so special about a live performance. It's not about perfection, it's about living in the moment. I can get a "perfect" recording by going to iTunes. I would rather hear a live voice in person.
Posted by: Teresa | February 5, 2009 3:41 PM
I didn't understand a dang word she sang.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 7, 2009 9:56 PM