Andrew Martone

Andrew Martone

aretha franklin young, gifted black

Aretha Franklin’s Young, Gifted & Black is a Masterpiece

by
January 24, 2017
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Young, Gifted & Black: The Queen On The Throne 45 years ago Aretha Franklin was at her peak. 3 major events mark this era: First, her show stopping 1971 performances at the Fillmore West in San Francisco helped expose her to a brand new audience. Second, her game-changing 1972 gospel album Amazing Grace redefined the gospel genre, and helped bring

Madonna’s ‘American Life’ at 20

April 21, 2023
I was just shy of 13 when Madonna released American Life, and it became the first Madonna album in my ever-growing music collection. I got my copy two weeks after it was released, for my 13th birthday, alongside The Very Best of Cher and a brand new 5-CD, 2-cassette stereo
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Melanie Fiona’s The MF Life- Album Retrospective

March 20, 2022
Melanie Fiona had me from the first note. It takes a lot to hook me that early on, but for me, she has “it.” “It,” referring to the combination of the voice and the application of said voice. There’s soul, there’s style, there’s technique. There’s talent. I still remember that
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ABOUT THE 97

THE 97 is a music and culture magazine that curates deeply researched retrospectives, reviews, and original commentary on iconic artists, albums, and moments in music. Blending reflective nostalgia with a fresh perspective, we offer readers a way to “relive the splendor” of music’s most memorable moments and enduring legacies.

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