Any Aretha fans here?

[thaperson]

I'm just curious if anyone has ever seen her live.

Now, I think she has one of the greatest voices in history, but I've heard her concerts can be a mixed bag. I would be interested in purchasing tickets if she does start touring again and coming to my area.

I've heard that back in the day, she came out in clown suits and would have ballet dancers perform as she sang.

[carlo]

Aretha fan here! I'm planning/hoping to see her first concert, which is scheduled for May! :cool:

[reese]

I've seen Aretha live more than twenty times between 1991 and 2010. And it is indeed true that her concerts can be a mixed bag.

Sometimes her concerts will consist of her greatest hits, some gospel, and she will sing as if her life is on the line. Other times, she might baffle the audience with a set list consisting of three or four of her hits, and the rest of the show is devoted to covers, Disney songs, and opera. But on the whole, I have left very few of her concerts unsatisfied. When she is truly on, there's no better place to be.

[abfan]

Aretha Fans:confused:Take a look down the threads


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20EAe4gqXWA

[daddyacey]

thaperson--- "Now, I think she has one of the greatest voices in history".
That is an undisputed fact and that..... is what makes ARETHA , ARETHA. That is why ARETHA is known as "THE QUEEN OF SOUL".
Now understand that even as being label, "THE QUEEN OF SOUL" ,she still has the right to have her good /best /better and bad days. Also understand that as one being a fan of hers ,one has the right to not like all of her material that she has put out ,and one has the right to not feel guilty about feeling that way about her material that does not move you ,in that way that drives the overall Respect [[no pun intended) and admiration that one has for her or any artist ,for that matter.
As reese has stated ,"When she is truly on, there's no better place to be."
Welcome to The Forum :D :D.

[Motown_M_1056]

I'm just curious if anyone has ever seen her live.

Now, I think she has one of the greatest voices in history, but I've heard her concerts can be a mixed bag. I would be interested in purchasing tickets if she does start touring again and coming to my area.

I've heard that back in the day, she came out in clown suits and would have ballet dancers perform as she sang.


I've seen Aretha perform live many times as well. One memorable time was in Cleveland, during freezing weather in January or February, but we drove an hour through a snow storm because it was a rare chance to see her in the flesh again.
The opening act performed, greeted fans in the crowd and left the venue, But Aretha
kept the audience waiting for over an hour. It got ugly quick. People were so angry, one of them shouted: "Aretha, get your fat a-- out here...now!" Eventually she came out and did a disappointing show because something was obviously wrong. She chewed out her piano player and snapped at her cousin, who was one of her back-up singers. The fans were hostile and her attitude was cold and aloof. Maybe the promoter didn't have all of her money together? During one song, she removed her skirt and asked : "How do you like these fat legs?" She turned around and bent over, giving us a view of her backside. I was embarassed for her.
We complained to management and they let us stay for the second show, which was much better, but we couldn't forget the first show.

Another time, I saw Aretha at a small college in Illinois. It was a sold out concert that benefitted a black student group and this time, Aretha was older, covered up, in great voice and a better mood. She talked about the importance of education, and featured her youngest son who rapped a little. She sang songs that night that she had not performed live in years and some of her fans were in tears.
Just about a year ago, I saw her again at a casino in Mississippi and her voice wasn't great, but she still put on a great show.
So I agree, when she's on, she can be very good.