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Every Song a Sacred Space: Aretha Franklin, Remembered by Lizz Wright and Others

JEMAL COUNTESS
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Getty Images
Aretha Franklin, onstage at The Metropolitan Opera House on September 18, 2011.JEMAL COUNTESS

Doug spoke with a number of musicians, producers and writers while organizing a WBGO News roundup of tributes to Aretha Franklin. Here are three interviews in longer form, beginning with singer Lizz Wright, who like Franklin came out of the gospel church.

lizz_wright_on_aretha.mp3
Lizz Wright speaking about Aretha Franklin, with WBGO's Doug Doyle

Russell Malone is a guitarist whose career included a few opportunities to work with the Queen of Soul. He remembers those moments, and her majesty, here.

russell_malone_on_aretha.mp3
Guitarist Russell Malone speaking about Aretha Franklin, with WBGO's Doug Doyle

Doug also spoke with Bob Porter, the host of Portraits in Blue, and a record producer whose credits include the monumental collection Atlantic Rhythm and Blues, 1947-1974. He put Franklin's work into a context, and not only in celebration of the Atlantic Records glory years.

bob_porter_on_aretha.mp3
WBGO's own Bob Porter speaking about Aretha Franklin, with Doug Doyle