ARETHA FRANKLIN The Queen of Soul

The biography of the “Queen of Soul” tracks her career from her days with her father’s traveling gospel "extravaganza" to her recent Snickers commercial and duet with Tony Bennett. Mel Foster narrates in the voice of a radio announcer. This style works well when the material is at its best, as in the parts that recount Franklin's early years in Detroit, where Smokey Robinson and Diana Ross lived nearby. However, Foster’s voice emphasizes the cattiness of the author’s speculations about Franklin's 1950s pregnancy and snarky comments on her fashion sense. Despite its flaws, this interesting but uneven biography should help fans relive key moments of Franklin’s career. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2012]