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Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin


Background information
Birth name Aretha Louise Franklin
Born March 25, 1942
Born place Memphis, Tennesee, U.S.
Origin Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genre(s) Soul
Jazz
Blues
R&B
Gospel
Rock
Years active 1956—present
Label(s) Arista Records
Columbia Records
Atlantic Records
Associated acts George Michael
Sweet Inspirations
Carolyn Franklin
Erma Franklin
Cissy Houston
George Benson
Michael McDonald
Mahalia Jackson
Albertina Walker
Stevie Wonder
Chaka Khan
Marvin Gaye
Natalie Cole



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Tom Jones New Album Compared To 'Sick Joke' By His Record Label Boss

July 5, 2010
Tom Jones New Album Compared To 'Sick Joke' By His Record Label BossTom Jones' new album has been compared to a “sick joke” by a senior executive at his record label.

In a private email to colleagues, David Sharpe, vice-president of Island Records, questioned why the 70-year-old star had been allowed to proceed with the project.

Jones was poached by Island records from EMI last year in a deal believed to be worth £1.5million.

But in his email, Sharpe appeared to suggest that songs on the star's new album 'Praise & Blame' had veered away from what the company expected.

"Imagine my surprise when I walked into the office this morning to hear hymns coming from your office - it could have been Sunday morning,” Sharpe wrote.

"My initial pleasure came to an abrupt halt when I realised that Tom Jones was singing the hymns! I have just listened to the album in its entirety and want to know if this is some sick joke????"

The Island vice-president continued: “Having lured him from EMI, the deal was that you would deliver a record of upbeat tracks along the lines of 'Sex Bomb' and 'Mama Told Me'...”

Sharpe added that, despite Jones's “venerable and interesting” story, 'Praise & Blame' was “not what was agreed and certainly not what we paid for”.

A spokesperson for Jones's management company told the Telegraph the tone of the email was "direct" and that they had not been aware of it.

(by Jason Gregory)



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