Aretha Franklin in Concert on The Today Show

Here is an amazing performance by the Queen of Soul from the Today Show that aired on Christmas Day.

She was on to promote her first ever FULL Christmas Album — 'This Christmas Aretha' which is available exclusively at Borders, Waldenbooks and Borders.com

Aretha recorded one album in the '60s for Columbia Records and one in the '80s for the Special Olympics that contained Christmas songs but this is her first full Christmas album.

The superb musical cast on the album includes 'A' list Los Angeles session players such as drummer Ricky Lawson, bassist Nathan East, guitarist Paul Jackson Jr., percussionist Luis Conte; rhythm arrangers Tim Heintz and James 'Big Jim' Wright (of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis fame) and string arranger Bill Meyers; The Fire Choir (directed by Carmen Twillie) as well as Fonzi Thornton, Lisa Fischer, Brenda White and Tawatha Agee (all past background vocalists with Luther Vandross); in addition to Ms. Franklin's musical director H.B. Barnum.

"This Christmas Aretha" is not only an outstanding record, but is also a momentous event because it represents a Franklin family affair: Ms. Franklin's sons -- singer Eddie and guitarist Teddy -- contribute on the Donny Hathaway chestnut, "This Christmas" and the rousing gospel classic, "The Lord Will Make A Way," which features top-flight Detroit musicians and about which Aretha Franklin herself simply says, "It's one of those old time, good time recordings. It's so smashing, right there on the front burner. Check out that groove!"

Tracks include: "Angels We Have Heard on High," "This Christmas," "My Grown-Up Christmas List," "The Lord Will Make A Way," "Silent Night," "Ave Maria," "Christmas Ain't Christmas (Without The One You Love)," "14 Angels," "One Night With The King," "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," and "'Twas The Night Before Christmas."

About Aretha Franklin:

Aretha Louise Franklin was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee to the Rev. C. L. Franklin, a Baptist minister, and Barbara Siggers Franklin.

She is an American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, and pianist. She is known to her fans as "The Queen of Soul" She is renowned for her soul recordings but is also adept at jazz, rock, blues, pop and gospel. She is widely acclaimed for her passionate vocal style and powerful vocal range. Known around the world by her first name, Aretha Franklin has achieved global recognition on an unprecedented scale.

She is one of the most influential and important voices in the history of pop music. Her ever- distinctive, soulful, to-the-bone vocal style has graced music charts for over four decades and her live performances have touched the hearts of tens of millions since she began her musical journey in Detroit as a singing child prodigy.

Aretha Franklin has earned countless international and national awards as well as accolades and global recognition on an unprecedented scale including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a Kennedy Center Honor, the American National Medal of the Arts Award, 21 GRAMMY(R) Awards including Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for eight consecutive years, a GRAMMY Legend Award, a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award, and five American Music Awards.

In 1987, she was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 1979, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Earlier this year, she was named 2008 MusiCares Person of the Year by the Recording Academy and she was presented with the prestigious NAACP Vanguard Award.

Grammy Awards

Franklin has won twenty one (21) Grammy Awards in total during her nearly half-century long career (she first charted in 1961), and holds the record for most Best Female R&B Vocal Performance award with eleven to her name (including eight consecutive awards from 1968 to 1975 - the first eight awarded in that category).

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Category:

Music

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• Aretha
• Franklin
• Christmas
• Music

[afg1927]

Take 'em to church Aretha! Yes Jesus is the reason!! Glad to see Brenda, Fonzi, Tawatha, (who looks great slimmed down) and the Oh so lovely Cindy Mizelle. (Marry me Cindy and just sing to me) All past Luther Vandross alumni backgrond vocalist. Aretha is my all time favorite vocalist. Glad to see the background vocalist staying busy what great talent they all have. :o) Thanks for posting.

[comicalk]

MAN! Aretha seemed so lively. She looked great and sounded just as nice. seeing her perform this makes it even better. Thanks for sharing.

[whatigot2say]

Ok, she sounds pretty good on this, she always has had incredible backup singers. Must be pretty intimidating auditioning to sing for Aretha Franklin you'd have to be an outstanding singer to attempt that one.

[angiebee1109]

Re Re is still the best!!

[foxymidnite]

@afg1927 Same here! Aretha is my ALL-TIME favorite vocalist EVER! R.I.P Albertina Walker. I have a tribute to the Queen of Gospel on my channel that I just posted a couple of days ago. I can't touch Aretha but you'll be blessed and and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ! Enjoy!!!

[theylou]

@williamjclinton1 YOU GOT THAT RIGHT! She got more energy than most of us.

[foxymidnite]

Aretha is the UNDISPUTED queen of Soul for a reason! She STILL got it and now I see why this video got 13,426 views. This is my first time seeing it and it will never be and I'm favorite this video NOW!

[kittybookitty]

I love Aretha. I wish she would get her weight down, though. It's so unhealthy as you get older.

[williamjclinton1]

You try to get up at the crack of dawn go to wig/makeup & sound like you did 40 years ago ! Divas' don't do early !

[edgleb]

well don't listen..............

[tinasman]

i dont like her voice as a senior ,, she runs out of breath a lot.,, diana ross,tina turner,gladys knight,pattie labelle still sings good now that they're in the 60's,and tina is 70

[yaskam]

Right comment. At 3:27, it's just GENIUS.