Aretha Franklin postpones upcoming shows in wake of superstorm Sandy relief efforts

Aretha Franklin is postponing two concerts in the Northeast  because of the cleanup and relief work stemming from superstorm Sandy.

Franklin was scheduled to play Saturday in Newark, N.J., and next Tuesday in White Plains, N.Y. The White Plans gig has been rescheduled for March 27. No make-up date has been announced yet for the Jersey show.

Franklin said she's rescheduling the concerts "due to the many troubling issues still facing the community at large. I will keep you in my prayers going forward and will see you soon. And of course, I will make my donation to the Red Cross."

Earlier this year, Franklin told CBSNews.com she was readying material for a new album, but there's no word now on when it will be released. The 70-year-old singer had teamed up with Clive Davis to work on new songs.