Our final Grammy cover was the first performance of the evening. Christina Aguilera, Florence Welch, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, and Yolanda Adams performed a medley of Aretha Franklin hits that suffered from many classic issues of star-crossed medleys, but still proved a timely reminder that Christina “Anthemgate” Aguilera could actually sing.
The quintet started with “Natural Woman,” Aguilera previewing the melisma-crazy runs she unleashed full-throttle on “Ain’t No Way.” From there it went singer by singer. McBride country-rocked “Until You Come Back to Me,” Welch (of Florence and the Machine) belted “Think,” and Hudson roared through “Respect.” Adams roundly schooled them all, though, showing more true soul than all the other more pop-oriented singers combined on a knockout “Spirit in the Dark.” The group closed with the gender-appropriate “Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves.” Seven songs in ten minutes. Not bad.
Christina Aguilera, Florence Welch, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, and Yolanda Adams – Aretha Franklin Medley
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[…] the heels of last weekend’s five-woman tribute to ailing Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin at the 53rd Grammy Awards, this clip of Grammy darling […]