Aretha Franklin

This album begins with a bang as Aretha and Co. arrive with a smoking, sped-up version of the classic "Respect." Things quickly slow down as she breaks into covers of "Love the One You're With," "Bridge over Troubled Water" and "Eleanor Rigby." The results are wonderful, particularly "Troubled Water" -- a formerly neutered Paul Simon tune here resurrected as slow, sexy and undeniably soulful. By the time Franklin launches into the bluesy, pleading "Dr. Feelgood," the audience is purring in her hands.