Search - Aretha Franklin :: Queen of Soul: The Atlantic Recordings

The ultimate Aretha package!

Josh P. | 06/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What can be said about the dynamic (big understatement) impact that Aretha Franklin has had on not only R&B/soul music but music in general? Words simply cannot express what music can in every essence. In her recordings, both in the studio and live, her story was told. With an inherent gospel fervor, she had brought the Church mainstream to make what Al Green refers secular music as "people's music," and like many before and since her, Aretha had topped them all. The bedrock of R&B is gospel and Aretha had never let that aspect be skewed. With her gospel piano-playing and musicianship backed by the mighty Muscle Shoals band, every ingredient was there to present that down-to-earth yet gutsy and soulful southern R&B sound. That was Aretha in her prime at Atlantic records.



Spanning four discs at 86 tracks, this may as well be THE Aretha set to own. All of her hit songs are here, plus many great album cuts and B-sides. Naming songs here is not essential, because if you can think of one or a few, they're likely to be there. Like all box sets, the material thins out somewhat at the end so that the latter end of the era covered is close to being scant. The last song is "Something He Can Feel" recorded in 1976, yet Aretha was with Atlantic for three more years. By that time, however, her records were charting lower and lower and were not altogether that memorable. Nevertheless, this is a very strong set complete with what'd you'd expect from a decade's worth of Aretha's prime material.



Included is a great booklet with great liner notes, numerous photos, quotes, discography, chart information, track by track annotation featuring recording and release dates and sessionography.



Anybody who is at least 10 years of age should know about Aretha Franklin and perhaps be encouraged to investigate further into this superb musical genre. Having recently seen her in concert three months ago in Baltimore, it can be said that she is still going strong and still does not fail to wow and engage an audience in such a captivating manner.



There will never be another Queen of Soul; it is only Aretha Franklin!"