Aretha Franklin - Jewels in the Crown: All Star Duets with the Queen CD

Jewels in the Crown: All Star Duets with the Queen songs The follow-up to the Isley's excellent 2003 album BODY KISS gives all indications that the legendary R&B outfit is still going strong some 50 years into its career. Decades before young, hip-hop-influenced urban contemporary singers were swinging and swaying their way into women's good graces, Ronald Isley was laying down the blueprint as the original mac crooner, and BABY MAKIN' MUSIC proves he's still got it. Ronald's vocal delivery is as strong as ever: rich, emotional, and dripping with seduction. A passing familiarity with the Isley's romantic side and a glance at the song titles--"Gotta Be With You," "Give It To You," and "Heaven Hooked Us Up," among them--should tip listeners off to the sexy, dim-the-lights R&B on offer. Guest appearances from R. Kelly and Jermaine Dupri keep the proceedings au courant, but never distract from the group's classic sound. Audio Mixers: Jermaine Dupri; R. Kelly; Kevin "KD" Davis; Phil Tan; Ian Mereness. Recording information: Battery Studios, NY; Brandon's Way Recording Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Doppler Studios, Atlanta, GA; Hitco Studios, Atlanta, GA; Larrabee Studios, Los Angeles, CA; SouthSide Studios, Atlanta, GA; The Chocolate Factory, Chicago, IL. Photographer: Kwaku Alston. Arrangers: R. Kelly; Tim Kelley; Bob Robinson . The Isley Brothers: Ronald Isley (vocals); Ernie Isley (guitar, background vocals). Personnel: Donnie Lyle, Big D (guitar); Ernie Isley (acoustic guitar); Tim Kelley (keyboards, drums); Rodney East, Bob Robinson (keyboards); Abel Garabaldi, Andy Gallas (programming); Ezekiel Lewis, Kandy Isley, Gordon Chambers, Johnta Austin, Ronald Isley, Sam Salter (background vocals). Additional personnel: Jermaine Dupri, R. Kelly.

Jewels in the Crown: All Star Duets with the Queen CD music This 3-CD/1-DVD set commemorates the 70th birthday of this electrifying Rock & Roll Hall of Fame guitar pioneer, and, for the first time, presents the story of a musical legacy that has influenced everyone from Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page & Eric Clapton, to Stevie Ray Vaughan and John Mayer. The DVD includes rare never-before-seen live performances from Montreux and Seattle, as wel as an exclusive 90 minute career spanning documentary with rare and previously unseen performance footage. Born in 1936 and trained on a '50s Chicago blues scene that massively impacted rock & roll, Buddy Guy is perhaps the quintessential modern blues singer/guitarist. Guy's trademarks are a razor-sharp, seething electric guitar tone and anguished, soulful singing. The three-disc (plus DVD) set CAN'T QUIT THE BLUES presents many high points from his lengthy career. Although there are more songs from 1990 onwards than one might expect--with only disc one providing a cross-section of his tenures with the Chess, Vanguard, and Delmark labels--many would argue that Guy's work from '90 on is in fact some of his very best. Personnel: Buddy Guy (guitar); Eric Clapton, Jonny Lang, Otis Rush, Phil Guy, B.B. King, Lefty Bates (guitar); Junior Wells (harmonica); Jarrett Gibson, Bob Neely (tenor saxophone); Donald Hankins (baritone saxophone); Dr. John, Pinetop Perkins (piano); Jack Meyers, Terry Taylor (bass guitar); Clifton James, Dallas Taylor , Fred Below, Jim Keltner, Odie Payne, Jr. (drums).

Jewels in the Crown: All Star Duets with the Queen buy CD music Mavis Staple's 2007 album, WE'LL NEVER TURN BACK is a stunning achievement from one of soul and gospel's most revered singers. Produced by Ry Cooder, the album is built around freedom songs of the civil rights movement--some are traditional ("Eyes on the Prize"), some are appropriated for the theme ("99 and 1/2"), while others are originals ("I'll Be Rested"). As much a celebration of hard-won freedom as a reminder of past and current injustices, the album features stirring gospel choir vocals from both Ladysmith Black Mombazo and original members of the SNCC Freedom Singers. Yet the album is first and foremost a platform for Mavis Staples's stirring voice, one that is as much a liberating force as any protest. Cooder, to his credit, keeps things appropriately raw and immediate, and the band always positions Staples at the front of the line. As deeply moving as any album made in 2007, WE'LL NEVER TURN BACK is at once a call to arms, a new cadence for a new march, and the celebratory soundtrack for the jubilee on the other side of the mountain. Liner Note Author: Rep. John Lewis. Recording information: Sound City Studio, Van Nuys, CA. Author: Mavis Staples. Photographer: David Bartlett. Arrangers: Ry Cooder; Joachim Cooder; Mavis Staples. Personnel: Mavis Staples (vocals); Ry Cooder (guitar, mandolin); Mike Elizondo (piano); Jim Keltner (drums); Joachim Cooder (percussion); Betty Fikes, Charles Neblett, Rutha Harris (background vocals). Audio Mixer: Martin Pradler.

Jewels in the Crown: All Star Duets with the Queen album for sale In addition to the queen's powerhouse performances, the set also impresses with its wide range of material. Franklin offers interpretations of Paul McCartney's "Fool on the Hill," Ashford & Simpson's "You're All I Need to Get By," Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne," and Bobby Womack's "I'm in Love," among other surprises. The soul siren's facility with both pop and hard R&B is underscored by a serious gospel fervor. Many of the arrangements will sound surprisingly spare and/or different to those familiar with the released recordings from the era, but it's that difference that makes RARE & UNRELEASED such a treasure trove. This excellent set of rare and unreleased recordings is the mother lode for fans of Aretha Franklin's classic Atlantic material. Its two discs are packed with demos, outtakes, and B-sides that represent Franklin, arguably, at her rawest, most dynamic, and most appealing. The set, arranged chronologically, begins with stripped-down demos from her 1966 debut, I NEVER LOVED A MAN THE WAY THAT I LOVE YOU (including a smoking version of "Dr. Feelgood"), and continues through her early '70s recordings for Atlantic. Full title: Rare And Unreleased Recordings From The Golden Reign Of The Queen Of Soul. 2007 two CD compilation spanning the years 1966-73 and featuring a treasure trove of vintage and previously unreleased demos, outtakes and B-sides from Aretha's Atlantic years. This collection was produced by legendary record producer Jerry Wexler, who also provided extensive liner notes. 35 tracks total. Atlantic. Personnel: Aretha Franklin (vocals, piano); Cornell Dupree, Duane Allman, Eddie Hinton, Jimmy Johnson, Joe South (guitar); Hugh McCracken (gut-string guitar); Frank Wess, George Dorsey (alto saxophone); Charles Chalmers (tenor saxophone); Willie Bridges (baritone saxophone); Wayne Jackson (trumpet, flugelhorn); Richard Williams, Melvin Lastie (trumpet); Tony Studd (bass trombone); Spooner Oldham, Barry Beckett (organ); Jim Dickinson (keyboards); Chuck Rainey, David Hood, Eric Gale , Jerry Jemmott, Tommy Cogbill, Tommy McClure (bass guitar); Al Jackson, Jr. , Roger Hawkins (drums); Cissy Houston, Sweethearts Of Soul, Dee Dee Warwick, Erma Franklin, Pat Lewis, Sylvia Shemwell, The Sweet Inspirations, Almeda Lattimore, Brenda Bryant, Margaret Branch, Evelyn Greene, Wyline Ivy, Carolyn Franklin (background vocals).

Jewels in the Crown: All Star Duets with the Queen CD music Though a critic's darling and a favorite of those in the musical know, Jill Scott never enjoyed the commercial success she deserved during her first several years in the game. In 2007, that looked to be changing, with the release of her third full-length and a stellar set of collaborations. Scott's talents are enough to ensure her status several times over, but those needing extra convincing need only glance at the heavyweight guest list. The Isley Brothers, Common, Al Jarreau, Mos Def, Chris Botti, George Benson, Sergio Mendes, and Will. I. Am. are only some of Scott's partners on this outing. The leaps from hip-hop to neo-soul to jazz to pop might threaten stylistic whiplash, but it is a testament to Scott's skill as an artist that the album plays like a singular, very enjoyable entity.

Jewels in the Crown: All Star Duets with the Queen buy CD music Track Listing of songs: DISC 1: Boogie Chillen'; Sally Mae; Black Man Blues; Hobo Blues; Hoogie Boogie; Weeping Willow Boogie; Crawlin' King Snake; Driftin' from Door to Door; Catfish Blues; Moses Smote the Water; Huckle Up Baby; Wandering Blues; Don't You Remember Me; Notoriety Woman; Let Your Daddy Ride; John L's House Rent Boogie; Bumble Bee Blues; Leave Me Wife Alone; Just Me and My Telephone; I'm in the Mood; Blues for Big Town; Stuttering Blues; Down Child; Boogie Rambler; Baby You Ain't No Good; I'm Ready; DISC 2: Dimples; Every Night; I'm So Excited; I Love You Honey; Tupelo Blues; I Need Some Money; Democrat Man; No More Doggin'; Gonna Use My Rod; Whiskey and Wimmen; No Shoes; We're All God's Chillun; I'm Goin' Upstairs; Teachin' the Blues; You Lost a Good Man; Don't Turn Me from Your Door; When My First Wife Quit Me; Boom Boom; She's Mine; Frisco Blues; Birmingham Blues; Big Legs Tight Skirt; It Serves Me Right to Suffer; I'm Losin' You; I Cover the Waterfront; DISC 3: One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer; Let's Go out Tonight; Bottle Up and Go; Let's Make It; King of the World; I'm Bad Like Jesse James; Think Twice Before You Go; Mean Mean Woman; Burning Hell; Peavine; I Got My Eyes on You; Doin' the Shout; Bluebird; Early One Morning; We'll Meet Again; Loving People; DISC 4: Baby Lee; I'm in the Mood; Healer, The; Mr. Lucky; I Cover the Waterfront; This Is Hip; Bottle Up and Go; Same Old Blues Again; Boom Boom; Chill Out; Tupelo; Kiddio; Dimples; Don't Look Back; Up and Down; Mean Mean World; Boogie Chillen';