Didn't I Blow Your Mind....

Before I begin, let me just send out my best wishes and love to Aretha Franklin who is in recovery today after going in for surgery in Detroit yesterday. We all pray she will make a full recovery soon.

Following on from my last blog, I have found so many more gems from the Queen. Her albums from the 1970s have some of the best tracks I have ever heard from this era. Until recently, I had only ever heard the good old classics like "Respect", "I Say a Little Prayer" and "Natural Woman" and some of her more popular gospel tracks. Thanks to the Internet and a free afternoon a few months ago, I have discovered some of the most spectacular soul music I have ever heard...and for me, the real power of Aretha Franklin!! These tracks stir something deep within me that is magical...

My quest for more Aretha brought me to her 1971 album "Young, Gifted and Black" (love that title, by the way!). And this is another belting masterpiece!! Some even say it is her best album.

This album demonstrates the full power of Aretha's vocal range and has those unmistakable gospel tones that "move your soul". Highlights for me from this album have to be "Rock Steady", "Young, Gifted Black" and "Border Song (Holy Moses)".

What really I surprised me on this album was a song that I used adore when I was younger...only I didn't realize it was originally done by Aretha. Which song you might ask? Well, the title of my blog should give it away!

"Didn't I (Blow your Mind This Time)" was one of my favorite songs by the one and only New Kids On The Block (NKOTB).  Today found a version of this song by Aretha from this 1971 album that blows the NKOTB version out of the water (though Joey's voice on this cover is so cute!). Aretha's version is so powerful and is charged with so much passion and soul that NKOTB could never have achieved. This is now my favorite song on this album by a long shot :)

"Didn't I do it, baby?!"

Enough said!