The Queen of Soul’s best years are undisputedly in the late ’60s and ’70s. Together with producer Jerry Wexler and the marketing muscle of Atlantic Records, Franklin rode to the top with a string of critically acclaimed and popular songs Think, Daydreamin’, Respect, Spanish Harlem and many others. Even her left turns [missing a hit with Son Of A Preacher Man] didn’t slow her down.
But with the ’80s and disco came a slew of younger competitors. The attraction of sluggish balladeer Roberta Flack, the funkier Chaka Khan and the disco queen Donna Summer all took large bites of the queen’s market.
According to wikipedia, “In 1980, Franklin’s career was given a much-needed boost by a cameo performance as Mrs. Matt Murphy in The Blues Brothers, singing Think. That same year, Clive Davis signed Aretha to his Arista Records. The singles ‘United Together’ and ‘Love All The Hurt Away’ - a duet with George Benson - returned her to the Top 10 on the Billboard R&B Singles chart.
But it was the spectacular 1982 album, Jump To It, produced by longtime admirer Luther Vandross, and the title-track single that gave Aretha her first R&B chart-topping and pop success since ‘(Giving Him) Something He Can Feel’. The album enjoyed a long run at #1 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart (even the Zoomin’ album only reached #3). It won an American Music Award, was nominated for a Grammy and was certified gold in early 1983 - Aretha’s first gold disc since the 1976 Sparkle album.”
This concert in Bob Marley’s hometown was in the same year Franklin had her biggest chart success with Jump To It. Apparently, this show was professionally recorded and the source of this is a cassette taped from the soundboard.
Franklin’s voice was still stellar and she had a hot band. Under the direction of Clive Davis, Franklin was still a creative force albeit not as soulful. Blame it on the market. (byThe Little Chicken)
Recorded live at Bob Marley Performing Arts Center, Freeport Zone, Montego Bay, Jamaica,
Nov 26, 1982. Ex soundboard recording.
Nov 26, 1982. Ex soundboard recording.
Alternate frontcovers
Personnel:
Aretha Franklin
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The Aretha Franklin Orchestra conducted by H.B. Barnum
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Margaret Branch (background vocals)
Estelle Brown (background vocals)
Cousin Brenda (background vocals)
Sandra Dance (background vocals)
Tracklist:
01. Announcements 4.10
02. Instrumental & announcer 1.56
03. Hold On I’m Coming (Porter/Hayes) 4.29
04. Love Me Forever (Franklin/Moore/Henderson) 3.56
05. It’s Your Thing (K.Isley/R.Isley/R.Isley) 4.16
06. Make It Up To You (Franklin) 7.22
07. Aretha talks before “Golden Moments Medley” 0.50
08. Daydreamin’ (Franklin) 2.48
09. Rock Steady (Franklin) 2:44
10. Say A Little Prayer (Smith/Bacharach/Summer/Wyant/David/Diamond) 2.24
11. Respect (Redding) 2.38
12. I Hurt Myself (I’m Guilty) (unknown) 4:04
13. Ain’t No Way (A.Franklin/C.Franklin) 6.06
14. Instrumental outro (unknown) 1.36
15. Band introductions 1.07
16. Because Of You 5:13
17. Jump To It (Vandross/Miller) 6.24
18. Announcer & Jump To It finale 1:31
19. Announcer and crowd 2:39
Alternate frontcovers
ARMU 2268
ARMU 2268 (zippyshare)