The legendary singer says of her new covers album, "We're going to give you exactly what you're expecting and what you're not expecting."
Aretha Franklin is "more than happy" with the progress of her upcoming divas covers album, but she acknowledges that with five songs done, a sixth in motion and four more to go the squeeze is on for its proposed September release.
"Well, Clive is concerned, but we're on it. We are ON it," Franklin tells Billboard, referencing Clive Davis, who's executive producing the set. She's been recording so far with Babyface and Daryl Simmons, while OutKast's Andre 3000 is stepping in to helm the last four tracks after Don Was had to bow out due to schedule conflicts. "I'm pretty sure it's going to be fun working with (Andre 3000), just watching his videos and things," Franklin says. "It should be fun. And, of course, they all come with great music, so I expect that."
Franklin has so far cut renditions of Gladys Knight & the Pips' "Midnight Train to Georgia," Barbra Streisand's "People," Donna Summer's "Last Dance" and Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do With It," with Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" up next. "I love all of them, the original versions," says Franklin. "(Davis) picked the songs and I approved or didn't approve, so it's just an easy CD to do because I liked all of them." And, she adds, fans can expect plenty of Queen of Soul flavor on each of the songs.