Erma Franklin - I Get The Sweetest Feeling

I was delighted to find this performance by Erma Franklin. She retired from recorded music at 34 due to lack of significant recognition and spent the next 25 years working at Holy Cross Community Center in Detroit, an organisation which helps disadvantaged children. I am stunned that someone of her immense talent was ignored !

Erma Franklin "By The Time I Get To Phoenix"

Just received Erma Franklin's album Soul Sisters+5. She's Aretha's older sister. ( Carolyn was the younger sister) Of the three Franklin sisters Erma is my favourite. This is the leading track. Enjoy.

Time After Time

Erma again with a classic Jazz number. Her well controlled vibrato is very evident.

Erma Franklin - Piece of My Heart (Video)

Erma Franklin retired from recorded music at 32 except for " an occasional performance". This is one such! My personal opinion is that she was THE singer in the Franklin family. What a great shame she never got really significant recognition in her time. I know that in her life after music she worked for 25 years at Boystown Holy Cross Community centre in Detroit, an organisation which helps children in need. This was filmed at The Soup Kitchen. I'm thinking this might be associated with her work for the underprivileged .

Don't Blame Me

Another track from Erma Franklin which highlights the control she has over her voice. The vibrato is like a precision musical instrument again. It's a great shame she retired from recorded music at 32 due to no significant recognition.

Never Let Me Go

Here's another track from Erma Franklin that's just come my way. Beautiful! Erma uses her voice like a precision musical instrument. That's what it's all about for me!

Erma Franklin - Baby what you want me to do

Erma with a number which was a hit for Fontella Bass.

Erma Franklin Light My Fire

Erma again with a number strongly associated with The Doors. Different take but very listenable.

Erma Franklin - Son of a Preacher Man

Erma Franklin with a well known Soul standard, Very nice.

Piece of My Heart by Erma Franklin (Lyrics)

Erma Franklin was born in Shelby Mississippi in 1938, the elder sister of Aretha Franklin. Her parents Barbara and Rev. C.L. Franklin moved to Detroit where her father was pastor at New Bethel Baptist Church. Erma studied Business at Clark Atlanta University. She, Aretha and a younger sister Carolyn sang in the choir at her father's church and when Aretha started her career she sang back up on some of the latter's biggest hits and she also toured with Aretha. In 1967 Erma produced a top 10 album called Piece of My Heart. Unfortunately for Music she left the industry in 1970 apart from the occasional special appearance like a concert for Nelson Mandela in 1990. For 25 years she worked at Boystown Holy Cross Community Centre in Detroit, an organisation which helps disadvantaged homeless children. She was married and had two children. She died in 2002 at the age of 64 of cancer. RIP Erma.

Erma Franklin-Higher And Higher

Couldn't resist this! Erma with a great version of one of my favourite Jackie Wilson tracks.Love the one with Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth dancing and Jackie singing in the background. Erma's vocals are also great.