Customer Reviews

Runnin out of Fools/Yeah!

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's about time. This is one of three "twofers" from Aretha's Columbia period that has been recently re-released. And there are many gems to be had here on each of the two original albums that make up this disc.

Of those three twofers though, this set that has the two albums that really show off Aretha`s command of a variety of genres.


** Runnin' Out Of Fools **

This 1964 release has Aretha in fine voice on every track. These tracks are extremely diverse from each other and shows off her tremendous interpretive versatility at the expense of an ideal flow. In order of the tracks, we go from southern soul to sweet pop to Bacharach/David pop to northern soul to bubblegum pop and back to northern soul. And that's just the first 6 tracks! That may be fine with some listeners but this is exactly the kind of thing that had many critics saying that Columbia didn't know what to do with Aretha.

Track # 7, "I Can't Wait To See My Baby's Face," hops into yet another genre and is a real gem. Pop bossa nova is something that Aretha rarely delved into but she does a tremendous job with this song.

Vocally, Aretha's delivery on many tracks had largely transformed into a restrained version of what we'd hear later during the Atlantic years. Witness "Mockingbird," "Every Little Bit Hurts," "You'll Lose A Good Thing," the sassy "One Room Paradise," and the outstanding title track.


** Yeah! **

Yep, this is the one you may have heard about: THE jazz album from Aretha, recorded "live" (as in one or two takes with a full band vs. layered studio mixing of tracks), but not in front of a live audience. The canned conversation and applause was added in and is a trifle annoying during some of the quieter moments.

But you'll get past it. Aretha's innate jazz sensibilities are remarkable and she handles each of these songs as if she'd been singing them for 40 years ... never mind that she was only 23 when she recorded this set. She is one of the most musically intelligent people to have ever recorded and songs like "There Is No Greater Love" and "Once In A Lifetime" are absolute treasures.

Aretha's voice sounds like Atlantic all the way here. There are few squalls, and there is a touch of haze to her voice that is not evident on other Columbia recordings. But the more mature sound is present on each and every track and this music is all the better for it. She really takes her time and stretches out on the tunes that call for it, employing all of the shadings and textures of her voice where the lyrics prompt her to do so.

Could Aretha have been the Queen of Jazz if she stayed this course? The listener would have to decide that for themselves. But a strong case could be made for it as proven by Yeah!, one of Aretha's strongest efforts ever.


** Disc presentation **

This is a budget release, and it shows. The sonics are decent, but they don't sound remastered. There are a few misspellings in the song titles. And while the back covers of the LP's are presented, the photos are so small that you wouldn't even think about trying to read the content. The only credits provided are the song titles and their authors.

But no matter. We have 2 unique treasures by the Queen of Soul, available for a REASONABLE price. Enjoy.

In spite of what many think, Aretha Franklin clearly made a number of extraordinary recordings before Atlantic Records and this welcome release after all these years illustrates this in the most entertaining way...not to be missed by those who really appreciate a great singer in sublime form!
"Runnin' Out Of Fools" is a sixties highlight when it comes to ultimate R&B classic vocals as this tremendous & timeless set filled with glorious covers by "The Queen Of Soul" first helped the grand DIVA earn this well-deserved title...original R&B chart hit "Runnin' Out Of Fools" made many realize "The Queen" had arrived in grand regal fashion as Aretha hits a real high with this tremendous & totally classic song...a memorable performance filled with passion and pathos! Highlights fill this great set and a Lady Soul hypnotic take on "I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face" is a sure standout in a masterful collection full of them!
High School years were never the same once experiencing Aretha several times in a small club setting and "Yeah" is the closest to that extraordinary experience that one can come to now and what a treat it is to hear this legend in a small club setting with just a combo and that great voice...1964 with the pleasure of this experience, Aretha on keyboards and probably the case here as Aretha opens with a superb blending of Steve Allen/Anthony Newley and one cannot get better than this & Miss Franklin is raw & earthy in sublime form. Taking a trip through such greats as Arlen/Fields, Cole Porter plus an Aretha original "Without The One You Love", it is clear this masterpiece set is jazz singing or just plain singing at its finest...Bravo Aretha!!!

Ever since hearing a few of these tracks sprinkled throughout various Columbia compilations starting about twelve years ago, I've been waiting for a proper re-issue of these two albums in particular. Having them together, at this great price, makes it all the better. Runnin' and Yeah!!! are both terrific arguments against the commonly held belief that young Franklin mostly floundered at Columbia Records. I especially love Yeah!!! because of the small jazz combo backing. Runnin' is more in the vein of then-current soul/pop sounds, and includes a few covers of recent hits. Both are just incredible and Franklin really shines vocally. I dock this set one point for two simple reasons. First, the sound isn't remastered. Sony/Columbia has released several of these cuts already in remastered form, and they sound really clean and bright, especially the cuts from Yeah!!!
If the distracting audience patter (clinking glasses and all, that we now know was added to the recordings after the fact) could be removed from the few songs that have already made it into general release, could this entire album not be cleaned up in the same manner? Runnin' would also benefit from remastering. We know it could have been done - notice the improved sound on the Unforgettable CD that was given the royal re-issue treatment about ten years ago. And don't get me started on the packaging. As others here are noting, the liner notes on the back of the CD are so minisclue as to be ridiculous and the overall look of the booklet is cheap and lacking information. Artists of Aretha's stature simply deserve better. I'll take what I can get, of course. This is the Queen, after all.

I've always wanted to obtain each of the individual albums that Aretha recorded at Columbia records. I believe that some of her best work was during this period. Although I have to say I was excited to finally get these recordings on CD, I was also disappointed. My disappointment stems from the fact that the liner notes are too small to read. I do not understand why they could not have been included as a page in the jacket. Maybe there's a good reason. Who knows?? I personally feel that the liner notes are pretty important because they give you a feel for the period during which the artist recorded. Columbia also did a great job of producing such great notes. Anyway, I'm greatful the albums are available on CD and that I can add these to my Aretha collection.