Soulful tribute: 'R.E.S.P.E.C.T.' brings the music of Aretha Franklin to Popejoy Hall
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You better 鈥淭hink鈥� about heading to Popejoy Hall on Thursday, Feb. 13, for a powerful performance celebrating the music of Aretha Franklin, the legendary Queen of Soul.
The production features a live band with vocalists singing the songs of one of the greatest soul artists of all time. The evening will be filled with her cherished hits including 鈥�(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,鈥� 鈥淭hink,鈥� 鈥淚 Knew You Were Waiting For Me,鈥� 鈥淐hain of Fools,鈥� 鈥淩espect鈥� and many more.
鈥淎 lot of the arrangements, I did for the original, when we did it the first time a couple years ago,鈥� said Darnell White, supervising music director, for 鈥淩.E.S.P.E.C.T.鈥� 鈥淪o (we are) going back out with mostly, I think, those same arrangements. And, we鈥檝e always had great singers, and this show is no different. (We have) three amazing singers, incredible band and a little bit of choreography. So it鈥檚 pretty amazing and it鈥檚 Aretha Franklin, so you can鈥檛 really go wrong.鈥�
Franklin鈥檚 family has seen the show and 鈥渢heir approval has been met,鈥� according to White.
鈥淚 think if the feedback wasn鈥檛 good from the family, I don鈥檛 think the show would be going out,鈥� he said.
White鈥檚 nerves have calmed and he has found his footing on the current tour.
鈥淚 think the first time we did the show, I was probably pretty nervous, but I think this time we鈥檝e settled in and I鈥檓 more excited,鈥� he said.
White calls it a 鈥済ift鈥� to be part of the production.
鈥淚 grew up with Aretha鈥檚 music, so for me, it鈥檚 an absolute honor to just be involved on the creative side of this show,鈥� he said. 鈥淗er music is quite personal and special, definitely on my mom鈥檚 record player. So, it鈥檚 definitely an honor. And, there are some nervous moments, but overall, it鈥檚 just exciting to be able to bring it to other people. The audiences love it, so we love doing it.鈥�
Three 鈥淩.E.S.P.E.C.T.鈥� vocalists belt out Franklin鈥檚 songs night after night.
鈥淭he singers are definitely having to give a lot,鈥� White said. 鈥淭hey are fantastic. They all are up to the task and I think they鈥檙e all excited too.鈥�
The script for the show has slightly changed since its previous tour.
鈥淲e鈥檝e changed the script a little bit from last time, so it鈥檚 more of an even distribution, as opposed to last time,鈥� White said. 鈥淲e had someone be sort of the main Aretha, and then there were the other two (singers). This one is more like they鈥檙e all kind of equal parts. (It) definitely helps with the blend.鈥�
When White is back home in New York City, he is a staple in its music scene, according to his website. He has developed a notable reputation as a performer, composer and musical director. White鈥檚 a graduate of LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and The Juilliard School.
He has collaborated with many artists over the length of his career including Melba Moore, Brian McKnight, Blaine Krauss, Amma Osei, Willis White, Angela Birchett, David LaMarr and Carlton Jumel Smith, according to his website. White also has performed at New York鈥檚 major venues including 54 Below, The Iridium, Birdland, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Smokey Joe鈥檚 Cafe, Sid Gold鈥檚 and more.
Soulful tribute: 'R.E.S.P.E.C.T.' brings the music of Aretha Franklin to Popejoy Hal
