Customer Reviews

Aretha

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This was Aretha's follow up to her platinum WHO'S ZOOMIN WHO album from 1985. Although ARETHA did not go platinum, it did go gold. There are a few reasons why.

First, Aretha sings her head off on this album. She hadn't sounded like she was having so much fun on each and every song since the 70's. Aretha's artistry is multi-faceted and about so much more than just the high notes ... but if you're like me, you like to hear Aretha holler. And holler she does on this set. (Note: this was right about the time that Patti LaBelle made her comeback, so ya know Aretha had to let us know that her throne as the Queen of Soul was still occupied by Her Highness.)

Aretha's churchier, raspier 80's voice is different than what it was when she was younger. But make no mistake: it's a perfect fit for the songs on this collection, and she sounds absolutely incredible.

ARETHA is comprised of an eclectic mix of material, ranging from 60's style pop ("Jimmy Lee"), rock ("Jumpin' Jack Flash"), classic soul ("He'll Come Along"), dance ("Rock-A-Lott"), and performance anthems/ballads ("Do You Still Remember," "Look To The Rainbow").

Aretha herself says on the liner notes that this is one of her favorite albums, and it's easy to see why. It's a shame that even though ARETHA had several hits -- including her biggest-selling single ever, "I KNew You Were Waiting" -- the album itself has been overlooked in ensuing years.

Don't be one to miss out. Treat yourself to ARETHA: her most energized CD for Arista to date, and see why Aretha Franklin has been, is, and always will be the absolute undisputed Queen of Soul.

While never issued as a single. the ever-gorgeous ballad "Do You Still Remember" is, in my opinion, one of Aretha's finest songs of all time. Overall, this album is a very strong set which gave Aretha several more hits and which further solidified her standing as one of the 20th century's greatest singers.

Of all the Aretha albums I have, this is my favorite. All of the songs are great, and Aretha's voice is super.

From 1986, this album by The Queen Of Soul may not attain the truly classic status of some of her works of the 60s & early 70s, but it's a great album that shows that not all lengthy singing careers deteriorate with time. She can still tear her lungs to shreds, and the uber-prolific producer Narada Michael Walden gives the album a contemporary 80s feel that is carefully thought out in such a way that it doesn't sound trashy next to her 60s stuff. Every song is of high quality, especially the guilty pleasure "Jimmy Lee", the harder-driving "He'll Come Along", the beautiful duet with Larry Graham "If You Need My Love Tonight" and the more exuberant duet with George Michael "I Knew You Were Waiting For Me."

Ree has two albums with the same title: "Aretha". The one pictured here is from her album that was released in 1980.

Track listing
"Come To Me" (3:42)
"I Can't Turn You Loose" (Otis Redding) (3:55)
"United Together" (Phil Perry, Chuck Jackson) (5:02)
"Take Me With You" (Phil Perry, Terry Coleman, Chuck Jackson) (4:05)
"Whatever It Is" (Mark Gary, Eddie Setser, Jerry Michael) (3:38)
"What a Fool Believes" (Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald) (5:13)
"Together Again" (Franklin, Phil Perry, Chuck Jackson) (5:16)
"Love Me Forever" (Franklin, Rev. Patrick Henderson, Kenny Moore) (3:34)
"School Days" (Franklin) (4:58)

The album that contains the songs listed on the product page are from the self-titled album that was released seven years later, in 1987. It also sports an Andy Warhol cover that was one of the artist's last works.