Concert Review: Aretha Franklin Performs Short, Occasionally Sweet at Hard Rock Live on March 16th
What doesn't become a legend the most? Well, for starters, a certain behavior pattern that leads the public to wonder if an artist has dived face-first off a 12-story balcony without considering a safety net. Or acting like a spoiled diva by adopting a code of conduct that causes fans to lose all respect. Or, in Aretha Franklin's case, spell it simply a lack of "R.E.S.P.E.C.T." Rumors that she's in dire need of an attitude adjustment -- given recent reports about her fussiness behind the scenes at the Obama inauguration, during rehearsals for the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame anniversary celebration, and at last year's Grammys, where she managed to diss both Beyonce and Tina Turner in a single swipe -- have threatened to sully Aretha's reputation. None of it's helped by her long absence from the charts and increasing competition from a younger generation of singers that could ultimately usurp the Queen of Soul's continued reign.
Then there's this note from the style-setters. Never mind that her fashion foibles may have finally caught up with her. It appeared that if Aretha's handlers ever had any hope of reigning in her sartorial excess, they've apparently long since abandoned that now.
Consequently, it's with some degree of uncertainty that we find Lady Soul back on the boards and ready to reclaim her reputation. For her first show in South Florida in recent memory, she might have given cause to think that a comeback of sorts was in the making and that the Aretha of old was ready to make amends.
Certainly, she started off strong enough, resplendent for once in a sparkling red gown and hair bound in girlish blond curls, a powerful presence to affirm her radiant star stature. Backed by a tight 20-piece orchestra under the direction of longtime conductor H.B. Barnum -- including a ten-man horn section, four back-up singers, three keyboards, three percussionists, drums, bass and her son Teddy on guitar -- the onstage ensemble resembled a Vegas show band geared up for a gospel revival.
Still, there were worrisome implications even at the outset. She was 25 minutes late in taking the stage, suggesting her diva disposition was still evident. The house was only half filled, and while the audience was well heeled and genteel, it appeared to exclude anyone under the age of forty. She initially kept her comments to a minimum, launching the set with a polished though perfunctory read of a common cover choice, Jackie Wilson's well-worn chestnut, "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher." Tapping one of her biggest hits early on, "(You Make Me Feel) Like a Natural Woman," one got the sense that Aretha was rushing things along. A take on Curtis Mayfield, a brush with the blues and another pair of her standards -- "Baby, I Love You" and "Chain of Fools" -- followed, and then, a mere half hour after making her entrance, she announced an intermission and retreated offstage, leaving her band to fill in the break with a ten minute instrumental.
Unfortunately, she returned with little fanfare. Instead of getting back into the set list, she indulged in some personal repartee with friends in the audience, introducing the folks she had mingled with backstage -- among them, comedian Dick Gregory, singer Deborah Cox, and the publisher of a trade publication she exalted as if it was the Bible. And she didn't stop there. She acknowledged a neighbor who had driven all the way from Detroit and another friend whose common bond appeared to be that they shared Aretha's admiration for McDonald's. Really? If she was bucking for a spokesperson gig with Mickey D's, she clearly made her point, however unintentionally. Heftier than ever and clearly straining to move about the stage, it could be construed that she's over-indulged in the product already. Then again, she plugged White Castle at the Obama inaugural.
More commentary followed, mostly focused on her recent visit to Atlantic City where she chanced to catch a performance by R&B sensation Maxwell, with whom she was clearly enamored. Commenting on the barrage of undergarments that had been hurled at the stage, she mentioned that the woman sitting next to her couldn't comply. "I would consider throwing mine up there, but I ain't wearing none," she quoted her companion as saying. "I lost them in a poker game."
At least those reflections offered some attempt at spontaneity, in contrast to the tightly structured pace and minimal audience interplay that marked the first half of the show. Another hit, "Think," elevated the energy, as did a powerful rendition of the big ballad "One Night With the King," which had the back-up singers testifying as if they were giving grace. When they launched into a tumultuous version of "Respect," one began to suspect that the concert was reaching a crescendo. Surprising though, it had reached a conclusion instead. Only an hour after she had first stepped foot on the stage, she announced, somewhat suspiciously that "They want us to be off by 9:30."
If that were indeed the case, it would certainly be setting a precedent, one that would make it the shortest show in Hard Rock history. Dubious as it appeared, sure enough, Aretha wrapped up "Respect," took a bow and departed. When she returned, it wasn't for an encore but merely to bask in the crowd's adulation one final time before an assistant draped an overcoat over her shoulders and ushered her offstage.
The time strictly devoted to singing, excluding her intermission and observations, amounted to roughly 45 minutes at most, Hence, the Queen of Soul's reign was surprisingly short. Yes, Aretha's still a superb, and 45 years on, her voice remains remarkably fluid, no worse for wear. However, this royal rule seemed to end in a premature demise.
Critic's Notebook
Personal Bias: Later songs such as "Freeway of Love," "Jimmy Lee," And especially "Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)" were sadly missed. And who remembers that Aretha gave an emotionally charged rendition of Les Miz showstopper, "I Dreamed a Dream," 15 years prior to Susan Boyle?
Random Detail: Aretha's not as sexy as Celine, not a babe like Beyonce and certainly not as enticing as Tina Turner. But when she puts her all into a tune, it's her throne to own.
By The Way: A live album is overdue, her last great bid for a concert collection being her Fillmore West set in 1969. But considering the brevity of her performance, it would barely fill a single CD.
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