I've been listening to a lot of Aretha for the past two days and watching old interviews and performances on Youtube! My favorites? Gosh, there are so many. I'm partial to "Until You Come Back to Me" (just found out that Stevie Wonder wrote that song when he was 14) Aretha's version of "I Say A Little Prayer". I also loved her performance of "Natural Woman" at the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors. She also blew me away with her rendition of "Nessun Dorma". Luciana Pavarotti was being honored with a Lifetime Achievement award at the 1994 Grammy Awards and was scheduled to perform Nessun Dorma, his signature piece, before he received his award on stage. But at the last minute, he bowed out of the ceremony due to illness. Aretha Franklin performed in his place and I thought it was phenomenal. I remember watching the Grammy Awards live that year so I watched her performing it live. I got goosebumps. It was opera alright but with a tinge of soul as only Aretha can do. Her performance was unique, unforgettable, and beautiful. I couldn't find a video of it on Youtube, but I did find it elsewhere on the internet. If you've never heard it, please give it a listen: [v.yinyuetai.com]

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