Library Rock's Backpages

James Brown: Gravity (Scotti Bros.); Aretha Franklin: Aretha (Arista)

Jon Young, Creem, March 1987

LADIES AND gentlemen, the Godfather and the Queen of Soul, Mr. James Brown and Ms. Aretha Franklin. Whether you hail 'em as living legends — or rudely point out that both have seen better days — ya gotta admire the way these two originals refuse to accept moldy oldie status. Aided by producer Dan Hartman, JB escaped from oblivion recently with 'Living In America', while 'Retha recruited Narada Michael Walden last year for 'Freeway Of Love', her greatest single in many moons.

Total word count of piece: 585

Subscribe

Becoming a member is easy. Membership gives you access to all the thousands of articles in the library.

Click here to go to Subscribe page.

Click here for academic and other group subscriptions.