Jennifer Hudson, Respect (Soundtrack) | Album Review 💿

Although a tall task, Jennifer Hudson does a fantastic job of capturing the essence of Aretha Franklin on the Respect soundtrack.

I

t’s been far too long since 🏆 Academy Award/Grammy winner 🎙 Jennifer Hudson released new music. Thankfully, that wait has come to an end! Hudson plays the late, great 🎙 Aretha Franklin in the biopic, 🎦 RESPECT. The anointed, robust-voiced diva isn’t only blessing us with her acting chops, but also, her singing on the 💿 RESPECT (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).  All in all, she does a fine job of capturing the essence of Franklin. Is RESPECT as a soundtrack/cover album perfect? No, but the one consistent factor is Hudson who was the perfect singer to be up to the tall task to recreate the music of the icon.

---

“There is a Fountain Filled with Blood”

Fittingly, Respect commences with gospel – the beloved hymn, 🎵 “There is a Fountain Filled with Blood.”  The recording does a well-rounded job of providing the soundtrack to the film (bits and pieces), while also capturing the essence of Franklin’s gospel beginnings and her dynamic voice. Jennifer Hudson does a stellar job, setting the tone for the soundtrack.  The big rub: it would be great if we could’ve heard the fully developed song.

From there, we get some jazz standards – torch songs, if you will. 🎵 “Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive,” for example, arrived when Aretha Franklin was two years old.  🎵 “Nature Boy” also experienced its heyday in the 40s, hence, songs Franklin would’ve heard when she was young.  Both get well-rounded performances by Hudson with no huge objections.  If you look at Respect from the angle of Hudson recording a Franklin cover album, three songs in, you’re waiting for ‘the meat.’

---

“I Never Loved a Man (The Way That I Loved You)”

‘The meat’ arrives with the fourth track, ✅ 🎵 “I Never Loved a Man (The Way That I Loved You),” the first of Aretha Franklin’s epic hits.  What I love about this rendition is how the band takes their time to set things up.  Essentially, they give Jennifer Hudson a firm foundation to paint those high-flying, gospel-infused vocals.  Hudson, as anticipated, is on autopilot, emulating the late great icon while simultaneously putting her own spin.  She continues an upward trajectory with a fine interpretation of 🎵 “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man,” followed by the contrast of the bluesy 🎵 “Dr. Feelgood.”  Neither “Do Right” or “Dr. Feelgood” supersede “I Never Loved a Man,” but they’re also worthy of multiple spins.

Naturally, The Queen’s ‘ace-in-the-hole’ must be the one song you nail.  ✅ 🎵 “Respect” is in great hands with Hudson at the helm.  No one, including the original iconic singer/songwriter, 🎙 🎼✍ Otis Redding, could outdo the definitive Aretha version, but Hudson gives her all.  Worth noting, “Respect” isn’t a clone of the original, with some key differences in the recording compared to the legendary version.  Does it sound like a soundtrack take? Yes, but it’s also worthy of listens aside from Respect itself.

---

“Sweet Sweet Baby (Since You’ve Been Gone)” 

🎵 “Sweet Sweet Baby (Since You’ve Been Gone)” is another fine listening experience, though I’d argue it’s not the first song that comes to mind in the Aretha Franklin catalog.  Perhaps that makes it stand out less on this soundtrack, even though it’s respectable.  Two of the best performances of the album follow with ✅ 🎵 “Ain’t No Way” and ✅ 🎵 “(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman”.  Both embody the glory of the originals without being copycat performances and of course, never usurping the queen.

Prior to Respect, I reviewed “(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman”, noting how well producers 🎛 Stephen Bray and 🎛 Jason Michael Webb recapture the sound of late 60s soul. The essence and vibe are there, even if the sound has the luxury of better recording quality and techniques in the 21^st century.  The band successfully recreates an aesthetic that far too often resides in the past. Hudson continues doing a ‘bang-up’ job, well equipped to take on this daunting song.  As one of the best and most skilled vocalists of our time, she’s the one to carry the torch.

---

“Chain of Fools” 

Some more of the most familiar, acclaimed Aretha Franklin songs follows.  The first is 🎵 “Chain of Fools,” which retains its funky identity.  That said, as much as the band is ‘in the pocket, and J Hud is locked in, the pace feels too fast – a few BPMs quicker than the original.  It’s a nitpick, but hey, who can help compare covers and reinterpretations to the original.  The better track is ✅ 🎵 “Think,” which feels more in sync with the original.  Naturally, Hudson can flaunt her powerhouse pipes like the anointed star that she is.

After a hiatus from the church, we get a hint of once more with 🎵 “Take My Hand, Precious Lord.” Like the opening “There is a Fountain Filled with Blood,” we get the ‘vibe’ and feel.  The rub (nitpicking) is that it would’ve been nice to have heard a full verse of the hymn prior to the more improvised take heard on the soundtrack.  Still, Hudson and her fellow musicians capture the essence of how Franklin performs classic hymns.  She returns to soul on an electrifying rendition of ✅ 🎵 “Spanish Harlem,” which plays close to the original.  With “Spanish Harlem” being untouchable in Franklin’s hands, I like the fact the producers don’t do anything drastic to tweak it.  This version satisfies with its groove and funkiness.  🎵 “Say a Little Prayer” plays out traditionally as well, which works out soundly.  You don’t leave Respect wowed by this performance, but it’s another consistent moment.

---

“Precious Memories” 

The remainder of Respect trends gospel, which feels right.  Of the three final cuts, 🎵 “Precious Memories” is my least favorite.  Is it bad? Absolutely not.  The problem is, we just get a hint of this great staple from the icon’s legendary Amazing Grace album.  Again, my criticism is a nitpick, as the essence and vibe are firmly in place.  Blame it on myself for the many times I’ve listened to the original.  Thankfully, ✅ 🎵 “Amazing Grace” receives a five-and-a-half-minute rendition, which allows Hudson to adequately capture Franklin’s hypnotic, soul-stirring performance.  Had Respect concluded with “Amazing Grace,” it would’ve been A-OK.  This marks one of the showstoppers of the Queen’s career as well as the crème de la crème of the soundtrack.

As much as I would’ve been fine with “Amazing Grace” being the final statement, I’m glad Jennifer Hudson gives us one more gem.  In addition to covering Franklin, she shines on a brand-new original, penned in her style, ✅ 🎵 “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)”. “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)” was written by 🎼✍ Carole King, 🎼✍ Jamie Hartman, and Hudson.  🎛 Will.i.am and 🎛 Johnny Goldstein produce the gospel-infused, neo-/retro-soul record.  With thoughtful lyrics and an old-school backdrop, Hudson has elite material to work with.  She sounds angelic, nuanced, and soulful on “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home).”  It begins with a dramatic, free intro, emulating Aretha and hailing directly from the black church.  Soon enough, “Here I Am” settles in with more flow, and J Hud delivers the goods. Upping the ante are the supporting gospel choir. “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)” has the spirit of Aretha written all over it and Hudson slays.

---

Final Thoughts 💭

Covering an untouchable icon is a tall task, even for a singer as gifted as Jennifer Hudson.  All in all, she does an awesome job.  On Respect, she does her job – capturing the essence of the icon.  Is Respect perfect? By no means, nor would anybody expect it to be.  There was and always will be only ONE Queen of Soul. That said, I give mad props to Hudson, who gives her all and very best song after song.   

 

✅ Gems 💎: “I Never Loved a Man (The Way That I Loved You),” “Respect,” “Ain’t No Way,” “(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman” “Think,” “Spanish Harlem,” “Amazing Grace” & “Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)”

---

🎙 Jennifer Hudson • 💿 RESPECT (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) • 🏷 Epic • 📅 8.13.21

[📷: Epic]

---