Sings the Great Diva Classics
by Aretha Franklin
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Oct 21, 2014
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. New York Daily News (Jim Faber)
    Oct 21, 2014
    80
    The looseness of the takes, along with the breadth of genres they draw upon, lets Franklin work all of her tricks, from gospel shouts to Broadway belts to soul runs to a rock star belligerence.
  2. Boston Globe
    Oct 20, 2014
    80
    At age 72, Franklin can still shut down the competition with a breathtaking, gospel-trained grace and power.
  3. Paste Magazine
    Oct 22, 2014
    70
    The best tracks on Aretha Franklin Sings The Great Diva Classics actually come in the form of mashups.
  5. Rolling Stone
    Oct 21, 2014
    70
    [Sings the Great Diva Classics] serves the point of this delightful covers set: to show Aretha can still step into the pop world at whim with total authority.
  6. The New York Times
    Oct 20, 2014
    70
    The vocals sound spontaneous and unprocessed, not hiding the occasional strain; “People,” in a slow orchestral arrangement, strives but creaks. There’s only one complete mismatch of song and treatment: a snappy big-band version of “Nothing Compares 2 U.”
  7. Billboard.com
    Oct 20, 2014
    70
    One that makes us hope the Queen takes a stab at even bolder covers in the future.
  8. Entertainment Weekly
    Oct 29, 2014
    67
    The Queen of Soul delivers a rollicking take on Adele's "Rolling in the Deep," but covers of other lady icons--Chaka, Barbra, Etta--feel dated or ill conceived. [24 Oct 2014, p.63]
    All this publication's reviews

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 3 out of 13
  1. eeebeebee
    Apr 10, 2020
    10
    This is a great album. I really like her takes on the songs, and how she puts the Aretha twist on all on them. Nothing Compares to You andThis is a great album. I really like her takes on the songs, and how she puts the Aretha twist on all on them. Nothing Compares to You and Midnight Train to Georgia really stand out to me. Aretha was in her 70's when she recorded this, I don't think it's fair to expect her to have the same vocal strength and agility as she did when she was younger. Nevertheless, I think this is a great album, but no where near her best work.

    As some of her last recorded work, this holds a special place in my heart. Rest in peace Aretha.    … Full Review »
See all user reviews »