Additional personnel: The New York Recording Orchestra, Elton John, Eurythmics, Fantasia, Frank Sinatra, George Benson , George Michael, Gloria Estefan, Harlem Boys Choir, John Legend, Keith Richards, Luther Vandross, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Michael McDonald, Whitney Houston, Bonnie Raitt.
JEWELS IN THE CROWN: ALL-STAR DUETS WITH THE QUEEN is a hybrid release of material old and new, with many of its 16 tracks dating back to Aretha Franklin's mid-1980s career resurgence. A number of these have never appeared on any of Franklin's proper albums prior to this release: her sassy take on "Jumpin' Jack Flash" with Keith Richards on lead guitar is from a film soundtrack, and her duet with Annie Lennox, "Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves," first appeared on the Eurythmics' BE YOURSELF TONIGHT, while "What Now My Love" was a highlight of Frank Sinatra's DUETS. The three new songs pair Franklin with neo-soul star John Legend, hip-hop goddess Mary J. Blige and, most impressively, Franklin's spiritual granddaughter, Fantasia, who holds her own against her biggest inspiration on "Put You Up On Game."
