By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 - 11:44 am:

This just in from Billboard Magazine:

R&B legend Aretha Franklin has confirmed that her 2003 tour will be the last such full-scale endeavor of her career. The tour will carry the moniker Aretha Sings Her Musical History and is expected to last into the fall. Eleven dates are set so far, beginning June 1 in Toronto. A planned show on Wednesday (April 16) in Sarnia, Ontario, has been cancelled, according to the venue's official Web site. The artist still plans to play one-off dates in the future.

The end of the tour will coincide with the Sept. 9 release of a Franklin studio album for Arista featuring all new material, according to label president/CEO Antonio "L.A." Reid. It will be Franklin's first studio album since 1998's "A Rose Is Still a Rose," which debuted at No. 7 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and boasted contributions from Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Lauryn Hill, and Jermaine Dupri.

Franklin is holding an open audition for dancers during the second week of May in Detroit. Male and female dancers between the ages of 18-35 are being asked to come prepared with videos and resumes; the location for the audition will be announced next month.

By Michael/cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 - 01:54 pm:

I can't wait for Aretha's new album, it is always worth the price of the CD. Even if the album is not totally artistically successfully, there is always one cut that gets me going. However, I think Aretha is suffering the "Cher" syndrome. We will see her on tour again, I promise you.

By Reese (12.15.169.254) on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 - 02:07 pm:

Cleoharvey,
I hope what you say is true about Aretha suffering the Cher syndrome. Since 1991, I've been able to catch her in concert every year. Its rather sad to think of another favorite of mine doing a farewell tour (Tina being the first. Of course, Tina did three farewell tours herself)

But for some reason, I believe Aretha. It must be getting rather old doing the touring thing, even if you're on a custom bus.

By 1wicked (24.126.64.120) on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 - 02:35 pm:

CleoHarvey:
The new album has been in the works for quite some time. Many tracks were (supposedly) completed before her switch to "J" Records...and I'll assume that some of those tracks will still be used. Jam and Lewis did quite a bit of work with her....but Aretha is raving over at least two songs written for her by Charles (Chuck) Jackson (of The Independents and one time writing partner of Marvin Yancy). I don't know who else is involved with the project...but something tells me she is taking a "Classic Aretha" approach as opposed to going after something hot (but disposable) with "flavor of the month" writers and producers. I'm sure you'll find more than one cut that moves you on this project.....

By Michael/cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 - 04:42 pm:

1wicked:

Thanks alot for the information. Aretha is my favorite vocalist of all time and even if I am not wild about a song, I am thrilled by her vocals. I liked many of the cuts on her last album and thought there should have been a few more hits off of it. As far as I am concerned, she can sing the phone book.

By Vandelron (24.44.20.172) on Wednesday, April 16, 2003 - 11:26 pm:

Correct me if Im wrong but I cant remember her doing a big tour in recent memory. Isnt her pattern just to do occasional dates here and there which so far seems to be her upcoming appearances-? J records is no more so is she back on Arista?

By Greg C. (166.84.225.57) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 01:55 pm:

J Records is still in existence! Clive Davis is going to oversee J Records and RCA Records.

All this talk about Aretha. I love the Queen and I've admired her for years, yet I hope this is a farewell tour and the last hurrah. Her voice has deteriorated and the last saw I saw her perform which was last year, it was an embarrasment. Her voice is shot! Her stage presence is sorely lacking as well. Sometimes it good to leave the stage when people are still cheering for you.
All sentiment aside, she needs to go somewhere and sit down...

By Vandelron (24.44.20.172) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 10:04 am:

As much as I love Aretha there is some truth in what u say Greg(lol sit down)--I sense she takes her talent forgranted and just sort of does what she feels like minus discipline/give and take with the audience/fans. Its just my sense of it. She gets very sloppy at times and unlike many I thought she was sloppy and sleepwalking overall on PBS. Even Aretha cannot just coast on the past--and I think she still has it but needs to get it.

By medusa9e (66.73.8.25) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 01:37 pm:

All I can say is she is & always will B my favorite Female vocalist. I wish her well at whatever she decides 2 do N the future. As far as her sitting down, She is still a Queen, and Queens usually have their way and do what they want 2 do...so much 4 that!!!

By Vandelron (24.44.20.172) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 01:41 pm:

A queen's crown may depend on the good-will of her subjects!------to whom much has been given much is expected

By Horse (159.53.32.46) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 01:56 pm:

Aretha is a drummers dream. With all that funky feel & phrasing, I would kick behind her AWWWWL night long..!

By Grant (216.39.176.184) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 02:09 pm:

I wish she would give up this hip-hop mess and do a jazz album or 60's/70s style R&B that she is famous for.

By Horse (159.53.32.46) on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 02:56 pm:

Someone said Aretha would be cutting a version of Disco Inferno...