Aretha Franklin, Lady Soul, turns 70

INDIANAPOLIS (LIN) - Diva. There are many who claim this title presently, but only one woman can really hold claim to the pinnacle of "divaness" that is the Queen of Soul– Aretha Franklin.

Photos: Happy Birthday Aretha Franklin

Franklin grew up in the bosom of gospel music, one of six children, and daughter to a Baptist preacher. Moving from her birthplace of Memphis, Tenn. and finally settling with her family in Detroit, her early years were filled with musical experiences and environments from two cities that were brimming with groundbreaking music– from gospel to soul to R & B– in the 1950s and 60s.

Franklin’s first recordings with Columbia did not receive the accolades the label thought they would receive, and it wasn’t until she began her career at Atlantic Records did she find her real place in music, eventually becoming the recipient of 18 Grammies.

Aretha’s voice has been the prize to which so many females over the last 50 years have set their eyes, striving to emulate with success her depth of feeling, her soulful cadence and the natural essence that seems to flow from within her and into her music. From girl groups to solo artists, so many women, young and old see her more than just a role model for music, but for womanhood in general.

Listen to this week’s mixtape, which contain several songs from Aretha’s Atlantic period. Below the track listing is a rare recording of the Lady Soul as a young teen singing gospel, the music that remains the foundation for Franklin’s ongoing lifelong career.

Check out Twinkle's Aretha Franklin Birthday Mix on Spotify.

Tracklisting:

1. “Hello Sunshine”
2. “Rough Lover”
3. “Think”
4. “See Saw”
5. “Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing”
6. “Baby, I Love You”
7. “Since You've Been Gone”
8. "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man"
9. "Save Me"
10. You're A Sweet, Sweet Man"
11. "You Send Me"
12. "I Never Loved A Man"
13. "I Take What I Want"
14. "Try A Little Tenderness"
15. "Mockingbird"
16. "The Shoop Shoop Song"
17. "Skylark"
18. "Every Little Bit Hurts"
19. "Hands Off"
20. "One Room Paradise"

Find Twinkle on Foodspotting, Tumblr and Twitter and at twinklevanwinkle.com.

Twinkle VanWinkle ponders, creates and discovers cool stuff about music, movies, food, fashion and so forth. Her thoughtful writings and interactives give great advice about healthy food, cooking tips, DIY projects, fashion and more. She’ll teach you a thing or two about music as well. Along with producing dynamic entertainment content for LIN Media, she is a mother, musician and social media fanatic.