Aretha Franklin Releases Christmas CD Exclusively At Borders

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Nov. 14 /PRNewswire/ — Christmas has come early to the Queen of Soul. Aretha Franklin graces the cover of the Nov. 27 issue of Rolling Stone magazine, having topped its list of “100 Greatest Singers of All Time.” This extraordinary distinction comes as Ms. Franklin has also recently released her first-ever Christmas album, “This Christmas Aretha,” which is sold exclusively at Borders, Waldenbooks and on Borders.com. The recording, produced by Tena Clark and Aretha Franklin for DMI Records, features classic and contemporary songs infused with Aretha Franklin’s trademark gospel, soul, R&B and classical styles. It is destined to become a holiday classic that fans will enjoy each year for many decades to come.

“Borders is truly honored to be working with Ms. Franklin and thrilled that she has earned the top spot on the Rolling Stone list,” said Borders Group Executive Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing Rob Gruen. “This distinction is richly deserved as she has maintained incredible vocal proficiency and her inimitable style throughout a career that has spanned more than 40 years. In all that time, she has never — until now — recorded a full Christmas album. Borders is ecstatic to be the only place where fans will find this new CD and we thank Ms. Franklin for giving us this very special opportunity.”

“This Christmas Aretha” has 11 tracks that include: “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “This Christmas,” “My Grown-Up Christmas List,” “The Lord Will Make A Way,” “Silent Night,” “Ave Maria,” “Christmas Ain’t Christmas (Without The One You Love),” “14 Angels,” “One Night With The King,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

The CD is available at all Borders and Waldenbooks stores nationwide and on Borders.com. It can also be purchased as a download at http://musicdownloads.borders.com/ where single songs or the entire album can be downloaded.