The Queen of Soul is producing an album of cover songs called Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics. Songs include classics like Etta James’ At Last, Gladys Knight and the Pips’ Midnight Train to Georgia and Whitney Houston’s I’m Every Woman. She’s even giving the nod to relative newcomer Adele by covering her hit Rolling In the Deep and Alicia Keys’ No One. But Ms. Franklin saves the best for last: she probably won’t shed a tear but she will hit the high notes while singing Sinead O’Connor’s Nothing Compares 2 U, written by Prince.
If you think these kind of albums are trending – veterans singing old (and new) classics – you’re right. Smokey Robinson just released a duet album, Smokey & Friends. And Aretha Franklin’s producer Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds just produced Barbara Streisand’s new album, Partners. Aretha, by the way, will also sing the Funny Girl’s song, People.