Aretha Franklin - Rare & Unreleased Recordings From the Golden Reign
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Free Music Notes for Rare & Unreleased Recordings From the Golden Reign
Free Music Review: Great unheard recordings
Hit: 5 Stars
The CD has many out takes and unheard recordings that I was unaware of. Truely enjoyable.Free Music Review: An absolute must-have for Franklin fans
Hit: 4 Stars
Let's make one thing clear right off the bat: "Rare & Unreleased Recordings from the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soul" is essential for any fan of Aretha Franklin's, period. But it's also recommended for any lover of genuine soul music in general.
Some of us who are Aretha Franklin fans have been awaiting this particular set for a long, long time. We'd read all about the canned tracks recorded during this session or that session, usually described on each of Aretha's Atlantic releases in detail by the Ambassador of Soul, David Nathan. But we've only been able to imagine what they sounded like, wondering all the while why at least a few of them just couldn't have been included as bonus tracks.
Only able to imagine until now, that is. Finally, an excellent sampling of the demos or out of print B-sides the Queen cut during THE years of 1966-1973 are commercially available. And what a sampling it is. From the opening demos on the first disc (which range from firecrackers to dynamite) to the closing ballads which have arrangements reminiscent of her Columbia period, these are songs which any casual to hardcore fan of Aretha Franklin's MUST have.
To be certain, there are revelatory moments. Some cuts are truly artistic in every sense of the word with a depth of feeling and musicianship beyond compare (Trying To Overcome, Pledging My Love/The Clock, and the "WOW!" duet with Ray Charles). After all, Aretha earned and deserved -- and still deserves -- her crown as the Queen Of Soul, getting that feeling, that emotion, that can-you-feel-what-I'm-saying vibe across. She gets that across even in 2007 when she is feeling it, although it doesn't come across on studio recordings like it used to. But the focus, passion and intensity that plainly and consistently marked the pre-1974 phase of her career is present on 75% of the songs in this collection.
Other tracks simply let you marvel at the quality of Aretha's unusual vocal gifts during her prime (Love Letters, At Last). The same vocal range and abilities that allowed her to convey soul better than just about anyone could also override restraint at times. A case can be made that is something that happens at times in gospel and soul music in general, and Aretha is not exempt. It goes with the territory. Overall though, there is comparatively little self-indulgence or just singing for singing's sake ... although one can tell that the mind-blowing passion and intensity referenced earlier started to wane a tad by the time you get to the second half of disc 2, which would only be natural over time.
Virtually every song here affirms why Aretha holds the place in musical history that she does, but there is nothing here that outdoes what's already been commercially released. Obviously, Aretha would have earned every accolade she already did if these songs had never seen the light of the day (although a couple of these seem Grammy-ready for the time, lol). Further, some of these may be eye-openers for people that are only familiar with the mega-hits like Respect and Think. But it's doubtful that folks who own Aretha's greatest hits sets and other compilations from the Atlantic era will become any more of a fan based solely on these tracks, since it mirrors so much of her other work.
But -- that's precisely the same reason why any real Aretha fan can't be without this Golden Reign collection: it's simply more of the same from that super-creative time period that in many ways defined that classic Aretha sound. There are a few rough edges to be sure. These are called demos and outtakes for a reason. But there are only a few rough edges, and they are not enough to ruin the listening experience, as has happened with other veteran artists' tapes that have finally been "released from the vaults."
Many thanks to Rhino, David Nathan, Jerry Wexler, and the Queen herself for making this project possible. Now, people the world over can hear a just a few more examples of genuine, heartfelt soul music from a period in history that is not likely to be repeated again.
Long live the one and only Queen Of Soul, Aretha Louise Franklin.
Free Music Review: Rare & Unreleased Recordings Garner New R.E.S.P.E.C.T. For the Queen Of Soul
Hit: 4 Stars
Before that last coat of varnish is placed on a newly refinished hardwood floor, the beauty of the wood begins to shine through. This is how I view the songs in this collection. There may be lack of polish on a few of the cuts but soul, beauty and god given talent is gloriously abundant on every single one of them! Since most of the songs were never released it's like having the old Aretha sound back again singing new material - and that is the real treat of it all. Listening to this release also gives me the feeling that it's autobiographical from hearing the unedited mistakes, starts and stops, Aretha's comments during the recordings and Jerry Wexlers liner notes. This is 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 lifelong Aretha fans such as myself.Free Music Review: AMAZING!
Hit: 4 Stars
I CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT I'M HEARING ON THIS! THE VOICE IS GREAT, AND LIKEWISE FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE MATERIAL. SHE COVERS SEVERAL DIFFERENT STYLES OF MUSIC, A LOT OF WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN RELEASED ON PREVIOUS SETS. IN MY OWN OPINION, YOU COULD TAKE SOME OF THIS STUFF-REMIX IT AND IT WOULD SOUND BETTER THAN A LOT OF THAT CRAP SHE IS RELEASING TODAY!Free Music Review: Another Gem Released.
Hit: 4 Stars
Full marks for this album - long awaited. There is one album though, which has yet to be re-released and that is her 1975 album "You". Many people at the time said it wasn't one of her best, but I fell in love with it from the first time I heard it. Could someone please re-release and re-master this album.