Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin (1942–2018), widely celebrated as the "Queen of Soul," was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist whose career spanned more than six decades. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, and raised in Detroit, Michigan, she became a global icon and a symbol of the civil rights movement. She was born on March 25, 1942, to Barbara Siggers and Reverend C.L. Franklin, a prominent Baptist minister with a "million-dollar voice". Franklin was largely self-taught on the piano and began singing solos at her father's New Bethel Baptist Church.
She recorded her first album, Songs of Faith, at age 14. During this time, she faced early hardships, including the death of her mother when she was 10 and becoming a mother herself at ages 12 and 15. Franklin signed with Columbia at age 18 but struggled to find her commercial niche as the label focused on jazz and standards. Her career skyrocketed after signing with Atlantic Records. Her first major hit there, "Respect," became a definitive anthem for the civil rights and feminist movements.
After a period of declining sales in the late '70s, she had a major comeback in the 1980s, revitalizing her career by transitioning from her classic soul roots to a modern pop and dance sound. She signed with Arista Records in 1980, initiating a decade of chart-topping success and historic accolades. She made a memorable appearance in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers, performing "Think," which helped reintroduce her to a younger generation.
Her Jump to It album (1982), produced by Luther Vandross, became gold-certified and brought her back to the top of the R&B charts. Who's Zoomin' Who (1985) became her first platinum-certified album, featuring hits like "Freeway of Love" and the title track. A duet with George Michael "I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me)" (1987) reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, exactly 20 years after "Respect".
Notable Collaborations: During this era, she collaborated with diverse artists including Annie Lennox ("Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves"), Keith Richards ("Jumpin' Jack Flash"), and James Brown.
She was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1987). Over her career, she won 18 Grammy Awards, received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and was a Kennedy Center Honoree. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 and performed at the inaugurations of Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. Rolling Stone twice named her the greatest singer of all time. Her voice was designated a "natural resource" by the state of Michigan.
Aretha Franklin died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76 on August 16, 2018, in her home in Detroit. She was posthumously awarded a special citation from the Pulitzer Prize in 2019 for her contributions to American culture. She is remembered as an unparalleled musical talent and a powerful force for social change, influencing generations of artists and activists.
Hey Now Hey ( The Other Side Of The Sky )
Live At Fillmore West
Written-By – Otis Redding
3:56
A2 Love The One You're With
Written-By – Stephen Stills
4:21
A3 Bridge Over Troubled Water
Written-By – Paul Simon
5:49
A4 Eleanor Rigby
Written-By – John Lennon & Paul McCartney
2:33
A5 Make It With You
Arranged By [Horns] – Larry Wilcox
Written-By – David Gates
4:32
A6 Don't Play That Song
Arranged By [Horns] – Tom Dowd
Written-By – Ahmet Ertegun, Betty Nelson
3:17
B1 Dr. Feelgood
Written-By – Aretha Franklin, Ted White
7:02
B2 Spirit In The Dark
Written-By – Aretha Franklin
5:20
B3 Spirit In The Dark (Reprise With Ray Charles)
Written-By – Aretha Franklin
8:38
B4 Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)
Written-By – Nickolas Ashford & Valerie Simpson
2:39
Label: Atlantic – SD 7205
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1971
Genre:
R&B Soul
Style: Soul
Aretha Live at Fillmore West (1971) is widely hailed as a landmark live album, capturing The Queen of Soul at her peak, blending soulful funk with the psychedelic rock scene, featuring iconic covers like "Eleanor Rigby" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water," and highlighted by a legendary impromptu duet with Ray Charles, solidifying its status as an essential, powerful document of her artistry.
Reviewers praise her commanding vocals, inventive reinterpretations of contemporary hits (like Stephen Stills' "Love the One You're With"), and the stellar backing band, though some modern audiophile releases offer superior sound quality for the immersive experience.
Franklin seamlessly integrates her gospel roots and R&B power with the hippie San Francisco scene, winning over the crowd with covers of popular rock/pop songs.
The album showcases her raw, unrestrained power, with critics noting moments where her voice cracks, adding to the authenticity and soulful delivery, especially on "Dr. Feelgood" and "Spirit in the Dark".
Her reimagining of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is frequently called one of the best versions ever, and her take on The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" transforms it into a personal anthem.
Backed by King Curtis and the Kingpins, with special appearances by Ray Charles and Billy Preston, the musicality is top-tier.
It's considered a definitive live record, offering an unparalleled glimpse into Franklin's live artistry, making it a must-have for fans.
While the original recordings capture the energy, some reviewers find the sound quality of earlier versions lacking, with later audiophile pressings (like Blu-ray or specific vinyl reissues) offering improved depth and clarity.
Some listeners find the playlist unusual or prefer other live albums like Amazing Grace, but acknowledge its unique appeal.
Aretha Live at Fillmore West is an essential, powerful recording that captures Aretha Franklin at the height of her powers, redefining popular songs and showcasing her undeniable dominance as the Queen of Soul, making it a high point in live music history.
Soul ’69
A2 Today I Sing The Blues (Curtis Lewis 4:22)
A3 River's Invitation (Percy Mayfield 2:38)
A4 Pitiful (Charlie Singleton, Rose Marie McCoy 3:01)
A5 Crazy He Calls Me (Bob Russell, Carl Sigman 3:24)
A6 Bring It On Home To Me Sam Cooke 3:39)
B1 Tracks Of My Tears (Tarplin, Robinson, Moore 2:53)
B2 If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody (Rudy Clarke 3:06)
B3 Gentle On My Mind (John Hartford 2:26)
B4 So Long (Melcher, Harris, Morgan 4:33)
B5 I'll Never Be Free (Bernie Benjamin, George Weiss 4:11)
B6 Elusive Butterfly (Bob Lind 2:44)
Label: Atlantic – SD 8212
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1969
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Soul/Jazz/Blues
Soul '69 is the fourteenth studio album by The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, released in January 1969 by Atlantic Records. The album is notable for its strong jazz and blues influences and use of sophisticated arrangements, making it a stylistic departure from Aretha's previous, more characteristic soul albums.
While primarily a soul album, it prominently incorporates jazz and blues elements, featuring an eclectic mix of material that goes beyond standard soul fare. The arrangements often lean towards jazz, thanks to the presence of respected jazz musicians like Kenny Burrell, Ron Carter, Joe Zawinul, and David Newman.
The album is composed entirely of cover songs from a diverse range of artists - from Smokey Robinson to John Hartford - a collection chosen with Aretha's characteristically eclectic taste.
The album was critically well-received upon release; Rolling Stone journalist Stanley Booth described it as "quite possibly the best record to appear in the last five years".
It was Franklin's sixth album to reach number 1 on Billboard's R&B albums chart, though it ended her streak of Top Five pop albums, peaking at number 15 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart.
Despite its initial success and critical acclaim, the album is often considered one Aretha's most overlooked '60s albums, appealing more to the aficionado than a general audience.
Producers Tom Dowd and Jerry Wexler produced the album, capturing Aretha's powerful vocals and piano work at Atlantic Studios in New York.
Two singles were released from the album: "The Tracks of My Tears" and "Gentle on My Mind." Both were only moderately successful on the pop charts.
The album was re-released on CD by Rhino Records in the 1990s after being out of print for many years, and is now available to download from Amazon in high-quality MP3 format.
(Provided by SoulYears.com)
Spirit In The Dark
Written-By – Ahmet Ertegun, Betty Nelson 2:48
A2 The Thrill Is Gone (From Yesterday's Kiss)
Written-By – Art Benson, Dale Petite 4:40
A3 Pullin'
Written-By – Aretha Franklin, Carolyn Franklin, Jimmy Radcliffe 3:32
A4 You And Me
Written-By – Aretha Franklin 3:30
A5 Honest I Do
Written-By – Ewart Abner, Jr., Jimmy Reed 3:10
A6 Spirit In The Dark
Written-By – Aretha Franklin 3:59
B1 When The Battle Is Over
Written-By – Jessie Hill, Malcolm Rebennac 2:52
B2 One Way Ticket
Written-By – Aretha Franklin 2:48
B3 Try Matty's
Written-By – Aretha Franklin 2:28
B4 That's All I Want From You
Written-By – Fritz Rotter, M. Rotha 2:38
B5 Oh No Not My Baby
Written-By – Carole King & Jerry Goffin 3:10
B6 Why I Sing The Blues
Written-By – B. B. King, Dave Clark 3:08
Label: Atlantic – SD 8265
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1970
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
Spirit in the Dark is considered one of Aretha Franklin's most emotionally raw and overlooked masterpieces from her prime Atlantic era, praised for its deep integration of gospel and blues roots with powerful soul. Critics laud it as an exuberant and remarkably consistent effort, despite its lower commercial success compared to earlier albums.
The album is noted for being intensely personal and introverted, with many reviews speculating on the influence of the recent breakup of her marriage to Ted White. This personal turmoil results in a cathartic and authentic emotional delivery that some consider her "truest" record.
Franklin leans heavily into her gospel background, particularly in her piano playing and vocal delivery, while the backing band (including the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and Duane Allman on guitar) provides a raw R&B and blues foundation.
Franklin co-wrote five of the album's twelve tracks, her most on any single original album, and these originals ("Pullin'", "Spirit in the Dark") are highlighted as strong compositions that effectively showcase her talent.
The production, handled by Arif Mardin, Tom Dowd, and Jerry Wexler, is lauded for creating a rich, full sound that captures the energy of the sessions. The background vocals, in particular, function almost as a "latter day Greek Chorus," adding depth to Franklin's impassioned confessions.
Key Tracks:
"Don't Play That Song (You Lied)": A number one R&B and top 20 pop hit that sets a tone of excellence for the album.
"Spirit in the Dark": The funky, gospel-infused title track that became another major hit single and a classic.
"The Thrill Is Gone (From Yesterday's Kiss)": A chilling B.B. King cover given a powerful, world-weary interpretation that climaxes with an interpolation of "free at last".
"Pullin'": An infectious, gospel-rooted original composition featuring a joyous rhythm that builds to a feverish pitch.
Overall, Spirit in the Dark is a highly recommended, essential listen for soul fans, offering a masterclass in vocal performance and a compelling artistic statement that only grows in stature over time.
Sweet Bitter Love
A2 Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive
A3 Nobody Like You
A4 Today I Sing The Blues
A5 Sweet Bitter Love
B1 Try A Little Tenderness
B2 Skylark
B3 Johnny
B4 God Bless The Child
B5 If Ever I Would Leave You
Label: Columbia – PC 38042
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Compilation
Country: US
Released: 1982
Genre: Jazz, Soul
Style: Sixties Soul, Rhythm & Blues
"Sweet Bitter Love" is a compilation or reissue album that primarily features Aretha Franklin's early recordings from her time at Columbia Records in the mid-1960s, showcasing a different, more jazzy and sophisticated side of her voice before her iconic R&B/soul breakthrough at Atlantic Records.
Reviews from listeners are generally very positive, highlighting the raw talent and potential present in her youth, Many reviews praise her voice as "pure, sweet, and spectacular," showcasing a broad and expressive vocal range even at a young age.
Fans appreciate the album for offering a glimpse into "early Aretha Franklin's early songs," presenting a different musical style from her later, more famous soul work. The album is often described as a "must buy" for serious Aretha lovers or anyone who appreciates "just great singing".
The title track, "Sweet Bitter Love," is considered by some to be one of her best songs, noted for its emotional depth and the artist's personal connection to the lyrics.
The production quality is typical of its time (mid-60s Columbia sound) which some note can sound dated compared to her later, more dynamic Atlantic recordings.
The album leans towards a more "vocal jazz" or classic pop approach, rather than the R&B/soul style that would make her a superstar, a distinction that might surprise listeners only familiar with her hits like "Respect".
In summary, the album is a highly regarded look at the formative years of a legend, showcasing a beautiful, powerful voice in a different musical setting.