Aretha Arrives - Aretha Franklin

Advantages: Beatiful Songs
Disadvantages: None

...*** ME AND THIS CD *** I bought this CD in 2002 at a local store. Since then, this CD has been one of my preferred CDs in my personal collection. *** TITLE *** Aretha Franklin Love Songs *** PRODUCER *** Original recordings produced by Robert Mersey and Clyde Otis. Compilation produced by Leo Sacks. Mastered by Mark Wilder at Sonny Music Studios, New York. © 2001 Sony Music Entertainment Inc./Originally released 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965. *** SONGS *** 1. I wonder (Where Are You Tonight?) (3:21) A. Franklin - T. White Produced, arranged and conducted by Robert Mersey Recorded June 14, 1963, New York City 2. Skylark (2:50) J. Mercher - H. Carmichael Produced, arranged and conducted by Robert Mersey Recorded June 12, 1963, New York City 3. Laughing On the Outside (3:15) B. Wayne - B. Raleigh Produced... Read review

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

...Upon listening to a friend describe how doo-wop artists put women on a pedestal, Fannie Lou hammer replied " Your pedestal is my jail, only a bit nicer" I think that Aretha Franklin could relate to that comment. For the past 40 years she has been hoisted on a pedestal of fanatical idolatry and suffocating demands. No performer in the history of African American art has ever had the expectations as had Aretha by her audience. Her body of work isn't a matter of critical record, but of nationalist fervor. Aretha's artistic stratosphere is a place where she can do no right and do no wrong at the same time; where she is supposed to provide uncontested life affirming inspiration every single time she steps on stage or else. The constant demand for perfection would stilt the growth of any performer; and it has for her work over the past 25... Read review

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

...Aretha Franklin, daughter of a famous Pentecostel pastor, inevitably began singing in a church choir at a very early age and it was clear then that she had the gift of a deep, raw talent. Her vocal style, even as a young child, was capable of such immense power and volume. She began her musical career recording secular tracks for Columbia Records, none of which really bought her much chart recognition. Signed by John Hammond at the dawn of the 1960's, he tried invain to nurture her talent effectively. By the time of 1966, all she had released on the Columbia label was a string of minor selling hits. So in 1966 she signed a new deal with Jerry Wexler (who had enjoyed enormous success with such fantastic Soul music legends as the unforgetable Ray Charles and the divine Wilson Pickett) to Atlantic Records which finally propelled her... Read review

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