Respect (Aretha Franklin) (LP 821 - 822)

Aretha Franklin Aretha In Paris (Vinyl, Atlantic Records, 1968) ****  

Aretha Franklin This Girl's In Love With You (Vinyl, Atlantic Records, 1970) ***** 

Genre: Soul

Places I remember: Paris is from Spellbound Wax Company in Gisborne, This Girl is from Real Groovy Records.

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Let it Be (versions of Lennon/McCartney are difficult as the original has such a cultural imprint, but it's easy to see what Macca was aiming for with Let It Be when you hear Aretha do it)

Gear costume: This Girl's in Love with You

Active compensatory factors: These two are from the late sixties when she was interpreting hits du jour.

Less so in '68 on the live set - (I Can't get No) Satisfaction and Groovin', but by 1970's studio album she was doing terrific versions of Son Of A Preacher Man, Let It Be, Eleanor Rigby, The Weight and the Bacharach/David title song - This Girl's In Love With You.

All that (plus Duane Allman's guitar) makes it one of my favourite Aretha albums.

Where do they all belong? A cornerstone of any Soul section.

You send me (Aretha Franklin) (LP 361 - 365)

Aretha Franklin I Never Loved A man The Way I Love You (CD, Atlantic/Rhino, 1967) *****
Aretha Franklin Lady Soul (CD, Atlantic/Rhino, 1968) *****
Aretha Franklin Aretha Now (CD, Atlantic/Rhino, 1968) *****
Aretha Franklin Spirit In The Dark (CD, Atlantic/Rhino, 1970) ****
Aretha Franklin Aretha Live At Fillmore West (CD, Atlantic/Rhino, 1971) ***

Genre: Soul 

Places I remember: HMV East Croydon, London

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: A Change Is Gonna Come (from I never Loved...)




Gear costume:  So many other highlights on these albums: Do Right Woman-Do Right Man; Save Me; Chain Of Fools; Groovin'; Think: Say A Little Prayer; See Saw; The Thrill Is Gone; Pullin'...and on it goes 

Active compensatory factors: Aretha's passing in 2018 prompted me to buy this 5 CD package (ridiculously cheap it was too, from HMV in the dreaded East Croyden).

Until then I'd been using a vinyl Greatest Hits album for my Aretha go to.

In summary: the three late sixties albums are peerless and indispensible if you want to understand why she is forever the Queen of Soul, the early seventies albums are great as well but those sixties albums cast a huge shadow.

The live album has its moments but I can live without the lengthy Ray Charles section.

Where do they all belong? At the pinnacle of soul music.

And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me (The Beatles) #118

Aretha Franklin Let It Be/ Don't Play That Song (Atlantic, AK 3851, 1970)

Aretha's version was actually released before the Beatles one (in January 1970) but as great as Aretha is, her version is inevitably eclipsed by the fabs.

On paper she should do the business right? Her gospel voice perfectly which suits the content, her fantastic vocal style, Tom Dowd, Arif Mardin and Jerry Wexler are all on board.

The fabs on the other hand were in comparative disarray. The 1969 Get Back sessions are of legend: Macca telling George what to play, Yoko on board, George Martin not, John distracted, Ringo bored shitless.

And yet, and yet - on the album version in particular, The Beatles kick ass!!

Hidden gem: Aretha performs with the Dixie Flyers for the B side. For me it's the better side with a sympathetic backing, some nice gospel piano and Aretha in fine voice. It's a good song and a lovely B side.