By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Music royalty took over this week’s New Music Releases!
From the Queen of Soul and one of America’s greatest songwriters to an English rocker and the Queen of California Rock, this week’s new tunes will inspire listeners to think and get up and dance.
The legendary Aretha Franklin teamed up with veteran collaborator Clive Davis to release her twists on several iconic diva classics. (Album cover property of RCA Records)
Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics by Aretha Franklin
The Queen of Soul is back! Ms. Franklin re-teamed with fellow music icon Clive Davis to tackle some of her most iconic contemporaries. Track-after-track, Ms. Franklin transported listeners on a journey that highlighted several classic (Barbra, Gladys and Dinah Washington) and modern (Adele, Alicia Keys and Destiny’s Child) divas. Aretha’s voice soared above some of the album’s production glitches (why did they use auto-tune on the Queen of Soul?). But, I was also enticed that the producers spliced several familiar tunes into several of the tracks—“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” with “Rolling in the Deep” and “Survivor” with “I Will Survive.” Despite some technical issues, this was one of Ms. Franklin’s best albums in years. B
Tracks to Download: “Rolling in the Deep,” I Will Survive,” “Teach Me Tonight” & “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”
Melody Road by Neil Diamond
I have the up-most respect for Neil Diamond…but Melody Road was atrocious! The melodies would make listeners lose interest in the album and there are only two or three great songs on the album. I wished that Neil would have pulled a Tony, Lionel, Smokey or Barbra and took some of today’s greatest artists into the recording studio and record duets of iconic songs! Well, hopefully Neil can record a duets album soon…so we can forget this Melody Road fiasco. D+
Tracks to Download: “Seongah & Jimmy,” “Something Blue” & “(OOO) Do I Wanna Be Yours”
Annie Lennox breathed new life into timeless tunes in her latest studio album: “Nostalgia.” (Album cover property of Island Records)
Nostalgia by Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox has one of the best voices in her generation! While she produced new wave and pop anthems, she has always admired the Great American Songbook. Nostalgia brilliantly showcases Ms. Lennox’s vocal range and her successful re-arrangements of the timeless gems. Her haunting delivery and beautiful arrangements makes Nostalgia…my Album of the Week! A+
Tracks to Download: “Memphis In June,” “Georgia On My Mind,” “I Put a Spell On You,” “Summertime,” “God Bless the Child” & “You Belong to Me”
“That’s Christmas to Me” by Pentatonix
One of Jake’s Take’s favorite artists have reinvented holiday music! Pentatonix has released its second full-length studio album: That’s Christmas to Me. All 11 tracks featured the group’s incredible signature harmonies and spectacular arrangements. Listeners would get chills with both traditional Christmas anthems “Mary, Did You Know?” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and an extra contemporary hit: their cover of the massive Frozen hit: “Let It Go.” A-
With the help of Ryan Tedder and Benny Blanco, Gwen Stefani returned to top form with her latest single: “Baby Don’t Lie.” (Album cover property of Interscope Records)
Tracks to Download: “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “That’s Christmas to Me,” “Mary, Did You Know?” & “Let It Go”
“Baby Don’t Lie” by Gwen Stefani
For the first time in six ears, Gwen Stefani has released a new single! The Voice coach and No Doubt front woman’s “Baby Don’t Lie” is a hypnotic pop tune that shows shades of Hip-Hop and EDM. The ear candy lyrics and superb production from both Ryan Tedder and Benny Blanco makes this track my Song of the Week! A+
“Hats in the Air” by Stargroves
One band that I have been keeping an eye on is New York City-based indie-pop band Stargroves. The trio recently released their latest single: “Hats in the Air.” This track is a breath of fresh air and brilliantly pays tribute to the cult classic Harold & Maude. Keep up the great work, guys! A-
I do not own the clips that are featured in this article. They belong to the artists and their respective record labels.
