A Very Special TV Party Tonight! Aretha Franklin - by Wal Ozello

For those of you who aren’t familiar with “TV Party Tonight!” one of the contributors here at Pencilstorm goes down a youtube rabbit hole looking for some of the best clips for on a particular subject. 

In a very special addition of TV Party, we feature a tribute to the late, great Aretha Franklin.  People are going to try and tell her story, describe her voice and explain what she meant to music.

All those people should just shut up and listen.  Because the best person to tell Aretha's story is herself.  Thank you Aretha for blessing our world with your voice.

So sit back, relax and prepare to have your mind blown. Seriously, if you love music in any format take the time to watch all these clips.  You'll be amazed to hear that someone's voice can do what she did..

Let’s start with my first introduction to Aretha... I was a big Blues Brothers fan while I was in high school and absolutely loved this song.  Make sure to you listen to the soul behind the high notes.

Listen to the low notes on “I say a little prayer for you.”  Damn. Just, damn, wow.

Pure early soul.

Early version of Respect. I prefer the faster tempo.

Chain of Fools at the Kennedy Center in 2009.

You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman... Aretha starts singing at 2:30

Bridge Over Troubled Water. Better than the Simon and Garfunkel version.

Our National Anthem... absolutely beautiful... Aretha starts around 1:00 minute in

Thank you, Obama, for making this moment happen.:

Wal Ozello is a science fiction techno-thriller novelist and the author of Assignment 1989 ,  Revolution 1990, and Sacrifice 2086. He's the lead singer of the Columbus rock band Armada and a frequent customer at Colin's Coffee.