Aretha's sixth Atlantic album, characterized by an intriguing blend of her soul pipes with pop standards and jazz arrangements. Now available for the first time in years!
All Artists:Aretha Franklin Title:Soul 69 Members Wishing: 5 Total Copies: 0 Label:Atlantic / Wea Original Release Date: 1/1/1969 Re-Release Date: 12/14/1993 Album Type: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered Genres:Jazz, Pop, R&B Style:Soul Number of Discs: 1 SwapaCD Credits: 1 UPCs:081227152321, 081227152369
Synopsis
Album Description
Aretha's sixth Atlantic album, characterized by an intriguing blend of her soul pipes with pop standards and jazz arrangements. Now available for the first time in years!
CD Reviews
What - no 10 star option??
J. Anderson | Monterey, CA USA | 09/03/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of the supreme recordings in the history of the medium! Aretha in the absolute prime of her self-discovery on Atlantic, the hippest Muscle Shoals musicians around, musical arrangements that are unafraid of themselves, and a superior choice of material make this THE Aretha Franklin album, in my view! Every cut is a highlight- the natural, high-flying vocal improvisations of 'Ramblin' and 'Bring It On Home To Me', Aretha's astonishing interpretation of Billie Holiday's 'Crazy He Calls Me', the remaking of 'Gentle On My Mind' into something finally so distinctive- what can one say about an art this Right, this Complete? Just keep repeating the mantra...a RE tha .... a RE tha ... a RE tha......not much else to say. Thank god the Rev. C. L. had his baby girl in our lifetimes!"
MUSICAL REINVENTION AT ITS BEST
J. Anderson | 06/30/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Easily my favorite Aretha Franklin recording, Soul '69 combines the singer's great jazz, blues and pop instincts to produce a fusion that sounds like nothing in her extensive catalogue. The recording's title is oddly misleading, providing little clue as to what this remarkable song package really offers. The wailing vocals, bluesy and jazzy, echoed by the screaming horn arrangements, and the big band productions offer some remarkable interpretations and rearrangements to a list of some well chosen contemporary -- 1969? -- songs . Aretha has never sounded so inspired. I have returned to this masterpiece many times. In an odd way, it has a seamless feel, much like Van Morrison's "Astral Weeks", that sets a consistent tone -- heartbreak? discontent? The character in these songs may be lamenting, but with a fierceness and toughness (and ocassional tenderness) that makes each song soar. The singer's reworking of Smokey's classic "Tracks of My Tears" transforms sadness into defiance. If someone has ever really done you wrong, put on this record. Believe me, you will not cry. You'll CELEBRATE having everpienced the pain. You will won't walk away from these songs feeling like anyone's victim. These songs are bewitching chants on LOVE."
Best ever
Lorena L. Kelly | Columbia, South Carolina | 04/22/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is perhaps the best ever of Areatha's Atlantic Recordings because it masterfully showcases another side of Aretha. This album represents what Columbia Records tried to do but couldn't. As other reviewers have suggested, the title is misleading. Rather than straight up soul this album showcases Aretha's jazz and blues leanings. As she did with Otis Reddings' Respect, Lady Soul makes you forget about Smoky Robinson's rendition of Tracks of My Tears. This is no small feat. River's Invitation is a tour de force also. In addition to Aretha's searing voice, this outing is driven by outstanding sessions talents such as Richard Tee on keyboards, Bernard Purdie on Drums and I believe Cornell Dupree on guitar is along for the ride. This is definitely a must have album if you are serious about collecting great music."
It should've been called "Jazz '69"...
Olukayode Balogun | Leeds, England | 09/24/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"... as that would've been a far more accurate title and might have alerted many jazz lovers to the fact that the Queen of Soul had made a jazz album. I suppose one can argue that anything Aretha Franklin does is soul but still...
According to the inner-sleeve info, Franklin finished recording this album (in September 1968) at the tail end of an eighteen month high. The period had begun with the release of "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)" in March 1967 and by the time it had ended, had included ten consecutive hit singles, seven of which were million-sellers and six topping the R&B charts. In other words, the lady was at the top of her game when she sat down at the piano surrounded by a "bevy of great musicians" to begin recording "Soul '69".
That said, the reaction to this particular piece of work was reportedly muted and I guess I can understand why. The album failed to produce any hit singles (but that has never bothered me anyway and hopefully doesn't bother anyone who reads this review) and in a second attempt to get the right folks to connect with this great music, five of the twelve songs on here were later re-released by Atlantic on a more fittingly titled album, Aretha's Jazz. They were included with three tracks from the Quincy Jones-produced Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky). I've had "Aretha's Jazz" for years and love it but I was still really happy to learn about this album and "Hey Now Hey", and a special shout out goes to my friend mackdiva for pointing both albums out to me.
Anyway, this particular album of big band arrangements and jazz instrumental improvisations was produced by Jerry Wexler and the music, especially the orchestration, was arranged and conducted by Arif Mardin. Personally, I think the album is awesome. Granted, Franklin is without peer when it comes to soul, R&B and probably even gospel but to hear her tackle jazz is a pure delight. She sounds vocally free, unfettered, unrestrained and sounds like she's enjoying every minute. It's perfect Sunday afternoon music. I love the entire album but "Ramblin'", "Today I Sing The Blues", "Crazy He Calls Me", "Elusive Butterfly" and "Pitiful" with its groaning horn refrain, will forever be my firm favourites.
If you're not into vocal jazz, I'd say approach with caution (unless you're a die-hard Aretha Frankin fan). But if you are into jazz you'll love this whether you're into Franklin or not. If you ARE a Frankin fan AND you enjoy jazz though, you'll be beaming from ear to ear. This one's an absolute winner."
I submitted this review a year ago didn't include my name.
WILLIAM WEBSTER | LOS ANGELES, CA United States | 09/15/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"MUSICAL REINVENTION AT ITS BEST, June 30, 1999 Reviewer: A music fan from L.A. (Silverlake) California Easily my favorite Aretha Franklin recording, Soul '69 combines the singer's great jazz, blues and pop instincts to produce a fusion that sounds like nothing in her extensive catalogue. The recording's title is oddly misleading, providing little clue as to what this remarkable song package really offers. The wailing vocals, bluesy and jazzy, echoed by the screaming horn arrangements, and the big band productions offer some remarkable interpretations and rearrangements to a list of some well chosen contemporary -- 1969? -- songs . Aretha has never sounded so inspired. I have returned to this masterpiece many times. In an odd way, it has a seamless feel, much like Van Morrison's "Astral Weeks", that sets a consistent tone -- heartbreak? discontent? The character in these songs may be lamenting, but with a fierceness and toughness (and ocassional tenderness) that makes each song soar. The singer's reworking of Smokey's classic "Tracks of My Tears" transforms sadness into defiance. If someone has ever really done you wrong, put on this record. Believe me, you will not cry. You'll CELEBRATE having everpienced the pain. You won't walk away from these songs feeling like anyone's victim. These songs are bewitching chants on LOVE."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1