Sings Standards [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Aretha Franklin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 1, 2001)
• Original Release Date: May 13, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony Special Product
• ASIN: B000002Z30
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,010 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. How Deep Is the Ocean?

2. Until the Real Thing Comes Along

3. Look for the Silver Lining

4. Exactly Like You

5. Where Are You?

6. Say It Isn't So

7. That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day)

8. I Apologize

9. For All We Know

10. Moon River

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Queen in crystal clear voice, singing jazz and standards, November 25, 2002

By 

Peace Brotha (Ohio, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sings Standards (Audio CD)

I'm sure many of you have heard the songs from the "Sings Standards" CD in some form or another, but this is the first time I've personally heard a few of these songs that could have easily appeared on the Verve jazz label. The Queen's voice was truly in top form during these Columbia years. Even though a couple of the songs are a little too string-laden, you won't care because Ree is singing them. The sound quality and production values are also top-notch.

"How Deep Is The Ocean" -- one of the best versions of this song I've ever heard, complete with a trademark Aretha "burst" of soul right before the end.

"Until The Real Thing Comes Along" -- Quite soulful and slightly churchy for Columbia.

"Look For The Silver Lining" -- this is one of the cuts that some may find sappy due to the lyrics and the too-sweet string arrangement. But over the years, it can grow on you.

"Exactly Like You" -- swingin' jazzy number that is 100% Aretha. Those that have heard this song will agree, I'm sure. I'd love for her to re-record this one, because her huskier millenium voice would work perfectly with this one.

"Where Are You?" -- very nice ballad with a melody that puts you in the mind of chilling on a cool summer evening with your special one, despite the lyrics.

"Say It Isn't So" -- Another stunning arrangement of a song that's been covered to death, with new life breathed into it by Ree. She must have related to this one on a deeper level, because there's a thrilling squall that she carries over a few notes and words at the end of this one.

"That Lucky Old Sun" -- simply outstanding.

"I Apologize" -- a very heartfelt performance by Aretha. This is subject matter we rarely hear from the Queen, and it is quite refreshing to hear this side of her revealed in a song.

"For All We Know" -- nothing that grabs you immediately here, other than Aretha's flawless melodic delivery. Her voice really has to be heard on this one.

"Moon River" -- short, swingin' and sweet, done delicately but with fire; a perfect way to close this short set of songs. Easily one of the best renditions of this song ever.

This is one of those CD's that is pretty inexpensive, so don't expect ANY liner notes. However, if you're missing these songs, or don't have cuts from Aretha's "quieter" Columbia years other than the ones that have been re-issued to death, I wholeheartedly recommend this album. Enjoy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Setting The Standard, January 21, 2005

By 

Gregor von Kallahann - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sings Standards (Audio CD)

We all know the rap on Aretha's early Columbia recordings. John Hammond, who brought her to the label, lost out to the corporate types who wanted to turn Aretha into her generation's Ella Fitzgerald. So--we're usually informed--she wound up floundering for five or six years on that label, until at last she snagged a contract with Atlantic and found her musical and spiritual home.

I won't dispute that Atlantic did better than well by Aretha Franklin in those first few years. The results speak for themselves. You can't argue with "Respect" or "I Never Loved A Man" or "Natural Woman." On the other hand, Aretha had her floundering stretches on Atlantic as well and by the mid-70s, her albums were being given mostly perfunctory reviews and, while there were often moments of brilliance, it seemed that no one expected another LADY SOUL or I NEVER LOVED A MAN.

Aretha's career arc has seen more ups and downs than Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli on a rollercoaster. But she's always worth listening to, and these early tracks deserve a little more attention. For one thing, Aretha's voice was in its glory during these sessions. Her singing is assured, graceful and still packs an emotional wallop. Yeah, she could play with a melody in a jazz inflected Ella-like way, as she does with "Moon River" and "Exactly Like You." And where you might expect a little overkill, she proves to be remarkably restrained, as on her version of "Til the Real Thing Comes Along."

Of course, Aretha wouldn't be Aretha if she didn't soul things up a bit here and there. She throws in some soul embroidery on such standards as "How Deep Is the Ocean" and "Say It Isn't So." It's never really excessive though. The text is still respected overall--which is not always the case with soul versions of standards.

Not all these songs are as well known as they should be to today's audience. And others, like "Moon River," while admittedly something of a standard is not really Great American Songbook material. When Aretha and Co. jazz up that track, it's refreshing not irreverent. Overall she does her source material proud.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars early Aretha is beautiful, July 7, 2008

By 

Timothy J. Buck "Rocky and Trixie" (Evans, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sings Standards (Audio CD)

I love Aretha Franklin. She can really sing! However the early stuff she did was so pure and effortless, esp. Aretha Sings the Blues. Many might call this fluff, but she can't fake it with this early standards repertoire. She has to sing, so technically I love to hear her vocal intelligence. What an inspiration! She even makes you sing with her.