Aretha Franklin and Condoleezza Rice share the stage for charity concert

Fmr. Secy of State Condoleezza Rice joined Aretha Franklin, for a rare music performance in Philadelphia to raise money for charity. Rice, the classically trained pianist performed with Franklin, the soulful voice of a generation on Tuesday.

It was an unlikely pairing. Stage left, Condoleezza Rice, the former Republican darling, a classically trained pianist and academic perhaps better known as George Bush’s enforcer. Stage right, Aretha Franklin the Queen of Soul, the voice of black emancipation and a performer at the inauguration of Barack Obama.

The former US secretary of state and Franklin took the stage last night at Philadelphia’s Mann Music Centre in a rare duet. Their aim was to raise money for urban children and awareness for music and the arts.

Their appearance in the three-hour concert before an estimated crowd of 8,000 overflowed with Franklin’s catalogue of hits and arias from the world of opera and classical music.

I hope Don Cheadle wasn’t there.

Continue reading at The Guardian.