Erma Franklin
Erma Vernice Franklin was an American gospel and R&B singer best known for her original 1967 recording of "Piece of My Heart." Born on March 13, 1938, in Shelby, Mississippi, she was the eldest sister of Aretha Franklin and Carolyn Franklin. She passed away on September 7, 2002, in Detroit, Michigan, after battling cancer.
Erma began singing gospel at age five in her family's church, initially in Buffalo, New York, before moving to Detroit. At 14, while attending Northern High School, she formed the vocal group the Cleo-Patrettes, which won talent competitions and recorded locally. Her father emphasized education over music, delaying her professional pursuits.
She signed with Epic Records, releasing her debut album Her Name Is Erma in 1962, featuring jazz standards and R&B tracks recorded in New York. Her 1967 single "Piece of My Heart," produced by Bert Berns, reached Top 10 on U.S. R&B charts and earned a Grammy nomination, later covered famously by Janis Joplin. Later, she released Soul Sister (1969) on Brunswick, with hits like "Gotta Find Me a Lover (24 Hours a Day)," and often provided backing vocals for Aretha, including on "Respect."
Erma lived in New York from 1961 to 1972 and continued performing into the 1990s, boosted by European reissues and ad placements. Despite her talent, her career remained overshadowed by Aretha's stardom. She left a lasting mark in soul music through her powerful voice and family ties.
Soul Sister
Written-By – Jim Webb
3:25
A2 Change My Thoughts From You
Written-By – Carl Davis, Gary Jackson (2), Nate Smith
2:29
A3 Light My Fire
Written-By – J. D. Morrison, J. P. Densmore, R.D. Manzarek, R.A. Kriezer
2:40
A4 You've Been Cancelled
Written-By – Erma Franklin
2:59
A5 For Once In My Life
Arranged By – Johnny Pate
Written-By – Orlando Murden, Ronald Miller
2:37
A6 Can't See My Way
Written-By – Erma Franklin
2:17
B1 Hold On, I'm Comin'
Written-By – Isaac Hayes-David Porter
3:01
B2 Saving My Love For You
Written-By – Don D. Robey
3:28
B3 Son Of A Preacher Man
Written-By – John Hurley, Ronnie Wilkins
2:34
B4 Gotta Find Me A Lover (24 Hours A Day)
Written-By – Carl Davis, Eugene Record
2:14
B5 Baby I Love You
Written-By – Ronnie Shannon
2:44
Label: Brunswick – BL 754147
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1969
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul
Erma Franklin's Soul Sister (1969) is praised for showcasing her powerful, gritty voice on unique covers like The Doors' "Light My Fire" and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix", offering funky, slightly psychedelic soul with unexpected arrangements that rivaled her famous sister Aretha, despite some uneven tracks and a feeling she was underutilized, making it a cult favorite for its depth and unique flavor.
The album stands out for its bold choices, transforming pop/rock songs into soulful R&B gems, with standout versions of "Light My Fire" and "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" praised for their originality.
Reviewers consistently laud Erma's immense talent, noting her voice is deep, gritty, and soulful, sometimes considered even better than Aretha's in its raw delivery, offering "soulful shouts" over Aretha's more refined style.
Tracks feature funky basslines, slinking horns, and unique arrangements that give the album a distinct, delicious flavor, blending psychedelic soul with classic R&B.
While Soul Sister came after producer Bert Berns's untimely death (who produced her hit "Piece of My Heart"), his spirit of innovative soul seems present in Erma's adventurous material. Many listeners feel Erma was overlooked, and Soul Sister is a treasured find for fans of deep, authentic soul, appreciating its unique sound and her unrealized potential.
Fans highly recommend the album, calling it "crisp, funky, fabulous" and a must-have for soul lovers. Some note that, like her other albums, it has "real duds," but the brilliance of tracks like "Change My Thoughts From You" makes it worthwhile. It's seen as a classic for those "in the know," offering a different, more raw side of the Franklin family's musical legacy.