Aretha Franklin - Sparkle (8 tracks) +Album Reviews

There is no comparison in the movie version and album versio

K. Nadeem | Boston, MA | 02/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There is no way you can compare the two; the movie versions of these songs were horrible; Aretha gives these songs a whole new life. The movie renditions are amature at best; nothing like casting in old Diana Ross movies (where the person casted could actually sing and the emulation was more realistic).

I love this CD!"

Lady Soul

Mr. Richard D. Coreno | Berea, Ohio USA | 02/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Prior to Aretha Franklin collaborating with Curtis Mayfield, she had recorded some uneven albums with long-time producer Jerry Wexler. It was time for Franklin to get a fresh start in the studio and Sparkle became that project.

Recorded in five days in January 1976 in Mayfield's Curtom Sudios, the eight songs - clocking in at 33 minutes - find Franklin singing with passion and renewed energy. The production is pristine, with Franklin's vocals dominating the mix, but aptly backed by the Haywood Singers.

The Mayfield lyrics aren't more real than on I Get High. The emotional roller coaster of love is explored in Something He Can Feel, Loving You Baby & Rock With Me. Franklin found chart success with Jump/Hooked On Your Love (that smooth Mayfield groove) & Look Into Your Heart. And the title track really sparkles, as the strings and horns compliment Franklin's soaring vocals.

Due to variety of reasons - disinterest, egos, etc. - the sessions are oftentimes disappointing when music legends get together, but this dream team delivered a vastly underrated soundtrack.

"

I wish the soundtrack was from the original cast in the movi

Charlay King | Los Angeles, CA United States | 07/30/2007

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I love Areatha but I like the original singers from the movie. No they are not Areatha but they brought the songs to life. I just do not like the Areatha Franklin Version's of the songs."

Sparkle Soundtrack by Aretha Franklin

Juanita Mahdi | Chicago, IL | 05/30/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I like the Cd o.k. Aretha Franklin is an excellent singer. However, it is disappointing if you are looking for the songs to sound the same as they did in the movie. I felt that should have put the movie version as well as Aretha's version. That way it is a little something for everyone. The music is the exact same, but it is sung completely different."

I LITERALLY cannot get ENOUGH!

Mikeisha Best | Mitchellville, Maryland United States | 01/17/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Phooey! My father always tells me that he wishes I would have been living in the 1970s because it was such a memorable and enjoyable decade. I recently saw the movie, "Sparkle" and I loved it, especially the music. I'm young (born in 1985), so I had no idea that En Vogue's renditions of "Giving Something He Can Feel" and "Hooked on Your Love" were not the originals! Rather, they got these two songs from "Sparkle." I always felt that "Waiting to Exhale" was the best soundtrack ever, but this soundtrack is up there with it. It is magnificent, amazing, incredible, moving, beautiful, spectacular! Listen to me, I cannot stop listening to this soundtrack. I love meaningful lyrics, LIVE instruments and a beautiful voice and this soundtrack provides all of the above and the finished product is great. I liked the versions of the songs performed by the actresses in the movie, but Aretha impressed me with her versions as well.

"Hooked On Your Love" is one of the best songs ever, there is no arguing that point. The production is unique, the lyrics are so great and the melody matches wonderfully. Curtis Mayfield produced and wrote this music, therefore, he is a musical genius! "Look Into Your Heart" and "Loving You Baby" are also beautiful and helped to give this soundtrack the 5-star rating I granted it. "Sparkle" and "I Get High" are also nice, very nice. This album is just so short: Either you're going to wish there were more tracks, or you're going to play the album 2-3 times in one sitting.

You already know what is next. I want you to pick this album up as soon as you can so that you too can revel in this musical masterpiece. Your ears will love you for it!

Mikeisha's Top 5

1. "Hooked On Your Love"

2. "Loving You Baby"

3. "Look Into Your Heart"

4. "Sparkle"

5. "Something He Can Feel"

"

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	Aretha Franklin Sparkle Genre: R&B Track Listings (8) - Disc #1 Sparkle Something He Can Feel Hooked on Your Love Look into Your Heart I Get High Jump - Aretha Franklin, Mayfield, Curtis Loving You Baby Rock with Me Japanese pressing packaged in a miniature LP sleeve. Vivid. 2006.
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