Rare & Unreleased Recordings from the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin

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CD

  • Release Date: 10/16/2007
  • 2 Disc Set
  • Sales Rank: 48,052
  • Label: RHINO / WEA
  • UPC: 081227997038

Listener Rating: (2 ratings)

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Track List
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Rare & Unreleased Recordings from the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soul

Disc 1
1LISTENI Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) previously unreleased / Demo Version 4:04
2LISTENDr. Feelgood (Love Is a Serious Business) previously unreleased / Demo Version 4:42
3LISTENSweet Bitter Love previously unreleased / Demo Version 5:11
4LISTENIt Was You previously unreleased / Outtake 3:45
5LISTENThe Letter previously unreleased / Outtake 3:37
6LISTENSo Soon previously unreleased / Outtake 2:46
7LISTENMr. Big previously unreleased / Outtake 2:40
8LISTENTalk to Me, Talk to Me previously unreleased / Outtake 3:29
9LISTENThe Fool on the Hill previously unreleased / Outtake 3:30
10LISTENPledging My Love/The Clock Single B-Side 4:13
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Disc 2
1LISTENRock Steady Alternate Mix - Outtake 4:30
2LISTENI Need a Strong Man (The To-To Song) previously unreleased / Outtake 3:56
3LISTENHeavenly Father previously unreleased / Outtake 5:37
4LISTENSweetest Smile and the Funkiest Style previously unreleased / Outtake 3:47
5LISTENThis Is previously unreleased / Outtake 3:36
6LISTENTree of Life previously unreleased / Outtake 5:12
7LISTENDo You Know previously unreleased / Outtake 2:48
8LISTENCan You Love Again previously unreleased / Outtake 2:40
9LISTENI Want to Be with You previously unreleased / Outtake 6:02
10LISTENSuzanne previously unreleased / Outtake 5:13
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About this Artist

Editorial Reviews

Aretha Franklin's recordings for Atlantic in the late 1960s and early 1970s are universally acknowledged as her best, and this two-CD set draws exclusively from that era, spanning late 1966 to 1973. Aside from the B-sides "Pledging My Love/The Clock" and "Lean on Me," everything here is a demo, outtake, or alternate version -- a real hoard of largely previously unheard material from the prime of one of the greatest soul singers. Franklin and Atlantic did exercise sound judgment as to what to select for release, however. So these recordings, as valuable as they'll be for soul fans to hear, are neither on par with her best official work nor revelatory insofar as uncovering hidden gems or unsuspected stylistic detours. Still, what's here is characteristic Franklin soul, which is satisfying enough. Historically speaking, the most fascinating of these vault finds may be the three late-1966 demos that lead off the set, including early versions of "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" and "Dr. Feelgood," although the rudimentary arrangements (just voice, piano, bass, and drums) illustrate how vital Jerry Wexler's production was to getting the most out of the material. Otherwise the tracks reflect the diversity of the songs Aretha was putting on her official Atlantic releases, encompassing covers of tunes penned by James Brown, her sister Carolyn Franklin, Motown, Van McCoy, Leonard Cohen, and Gene McDaniels, and even including a pass at "My Way" (as well as several items whose composers remain unknown). Stylistically the palette is broad, too, from wailing near-bluesy soul to near-pop, usually played with tight soul combos, but wrapping up with a solo piano demo of "Are You Leaving Me." The early-'70s recordings on the second disc don't have quite the energy and quality of the first, though they're still performances most artists would envy, taking in mild funk, earthy gospel, and a slight creeping slick pop influence. As for the track that seems most inexplicably passed over for release back in the day, that would be the bold, pounding McCoy-authored 1968 outtake "So Soon." Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide



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Customer Reviews

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  • Ratings: 2Reviews: 2

Rare & Unreleased Recordings from the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soulby Anonymous

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November 02, 2007: A must have for those who have heard only recordings made by Aretha Franklin of late. These were made during her rise to the top of the heap. She wasn't crowned QUEEN OF SOUL for nothing. For those who have longed for Miss Franklin to sit down and play piano more, here it is. She's in the studio, at the piano, creating. She starts, stops, make comments and then starts again, knocking off everybody's socks. I adored "Heavenly Father," which could be today's "Get Here" for the present Iraq War. Aretha's boyfriend has been drafted and sent far away and she pleads with God to "pleeeease, bring that man home to me..." She had me on the floor with Gene McDaniels' "Tree of Life," and the reworking of "You're All I Need To Get By." For those, including me, who wondered about the title of "Dr. Feelgood - Love's A Serious Business," well, here they present the ENTIRE song as written. What we got on Aretha's first Atlantic album, was a cropped version to fit 3 minutes on the record. Here is the extended blues piece with Franklin playing a mean, dream blues piano. Believe me, I have to fight myself at night, not to go to bed with earphones on and staying up until 4 in the morning listening to this great album. If you love Aretha, you'll certainly love this!

Rare & Unreleased Recordings from the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soulby Anonymous

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October 17, 2007: Before that last coat of varnish placed on a newly refinished floor, you start to see the beauty of the wood shining through. This is how I view the songs in this collection. There may be lack of polish, but soul, beauty and god given talent is abundant on every cut. Since most of the songs were never released it's like having the old Aretha sound back again in 2007- and that is the real treat of it all. Another treat to this release is that it gives you the sense of being autobiographical from hearing mistakes, starts and stops, Aretha's comments during the recordings and Jerry Wexlers liner notes. It is also a great documentation of the creative process behind the recording sessions of one of this century's most important musical icons. I highly recommend this 2 CD collection especially vintage Aretha fans.