Amazing Grace (The Complete Gospel Recordings) - Aretha Franklin

Advantages: One of the greatest soul albums of all time
Disadvantages: ---

...years which, to put it nicely, has been erratic. But to completely abhor the world that Aretha lives in would discount the fact that she has done so much, reached that stratusphere of perfection, gone so deep into the psyche and touched the deepest part of so many people's souls; that her fans's couldn't help but fanatically idolize her . If black culture's basic roots lie in the matriarchal aesthetic of the black church, Aretha franklin had a hold of more branches than most of everybody. At her best, she isn't just a great artist, she's a historical figure. Lady soul. The queen of soul. The last of the great female gospel communicators,( Mahalia Jackson, Clara ward, Marion Williams) who singlehandedly gave a people back a piece of their culture. When she got her first gold record , Martin Luther King was her presenter. ( She later sang... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Every recording is good to totally superb!
Disadvantages: NONE!

...,very deservedly, into International stardom. The label knew how to enhance her raw talent and captured her rocketing vocal style on some of the most remarkable recordings in the history of popular music. If anything, Aretha Franklin went on to become the female equivalent of that genius godfather of soul, James Brown (who is another favourite of mine). The music was tough, driving, earthy, even a little stark at times yet was able to encapsulate a sensual, evocative air that was able to enjoy credibility in the more profitable white-buying market as well as firmly retaining her wide, loyal black base much in the way other black female singers had like Diana Ross and Dionne Warwick. Her most important and significant era in music undoubtedly was between 1967-1969. During this relativley small period she clocked up an amazing series of soul... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Lots of soul, flawless sound, amazing voice.
Disadvantages: Not a whole lot...

...Candi Staton - Candi Staton ******************************* --Candi-- Canzetta Maria Staton was born in 1943 in Hanceville, Alabama and had a rather rural upbringing. Singing in the local church choir and helping her father tend to the cotton fields. By the time she was ten her mother took the family to Cleveland in order to escape her alcoholic father. From here on she sang in a Gospel trio where she met the likes of Aretha Franklin, Mahalia Jackson, The Staple Singers and eventually, Clarence Carter. This was the man who got her into club singing, Rhythm and Blues and eventually became her (second) husband - after discovering that her first was abusive and jealous. After Clarence introduced Candi to a chap called Rick Hall, who was the owner of FAME Records, she began recording her albums… --The Album-- The album I'm reviewing... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful