Customer Reviews

The Very Best of Aretha Franklin: The 60's

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I needed to replace my "Aretha's Gold" album, which, unfortunately, is not on CD. After buying this, I was amazed to find that Rhino had dropped the ball and omitted "Dr. Feelgood" from this otherwise fine collection. This idiotic oversight can be avoided by purchasing the "30 Greatest Hits" album, instead. You'll be glad you did.

Having recently been to my first live Aretha concert, I just had to have her hits in my collection. This plus another which filled in the blanks gives me such enjoyment listening to this energetic, passionate singstress.

This collection has all the greats from "Respect" "Baby I Love You" "Chain of Fools" "Think" along with her renditions of some greats, e.g. "I Say a Little Prayer" and "I Never Loved A Man"

Her back up musicians crank out a solid, driving sound which matches so well with the Queen's energy. THis is just great stuff!

Like all RHINO's best of,this is a commandable collection of ARETHA's works in her early days at ATLANTIC.RESPECT,YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE A NATURAL WOMAN and I SAY A LITTLE PRAYER(marvelous cover of the BACHARACH-DAVID song ,first recorded by DIONNE WARWICK)can be considered the highlights,but everything deserves to be there.ELEANOR RIGBY is my only complaint(RAY CHARLES's cover is great).If all the best of collections could be of the quality of those at RHINO,it would be heaven on this earth.

When I played this CD in my car...my mother asked for it, so I had to buy another Vol. 3-Very Best of Aretha Franklin! My mother and I agreed that they simply don't make songs like this any more. Aretha's CD brought back wonderful memories of the 60's. Today, we listen intent to exactly what Aretha was saying in these musical messages. We now understand Aretha's songs better than in the past. The music is wonderful, the background voices are majestical. What a wonderful combination of words, messages, instruments and singing. Yes, lay back - listen and enjoy this wonderful CD...They just don't make them like this anymore.

This compilation contains some of her very best songs. Aretha is without doubt "The Queen of Soul". One of the pearls of this collection is "I never loved a man (the way I love you)". This song inevitably puts a spell on the listener. It's a piece of pure and sentimental Rhythm & Blues. "Do right woman-Do right man" was the title of Aretha's first golden disc. " I say a little prayer" perfectly reveals her unique vocal style, although other singers, like Dionne Warwick have masterly interpreted this song. "(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since you've been gone" will hardly let anyone sit peacefully in the chair. Arethe Franklin certainly has a very rare charisma in her vocal interpretation.

The queen of souls greatest years were clearly between 1968 - 1971. During this considerably short period of time she made some of the most remarkable music in history. Such distinguished soul classics like, RESPECT, CHAIN OF FOOLS and I SAY A LITTLE PRAYER remain as unique and popular as they were when origanlly recorded in this era. This lady has one of the most memroable, uplifting voices in music and its a shame that her work has never surpassed the quality of this period in recent times or enjoyed the commercial success of such other fabulous soul performers such as the divine, DIANA ROSS and WHITNEY HOUSTON. She will always be though the most definitive lady of soul and this collection is evidence of some of the sheer magic she cut during her time with Atalntic Records. Highly recommended!

The Very Best of Aretha Franklin: The 60's is an incredible album of songs by singer/songwriter/pianist Aretha Franklin--The Queen Of Soul! Aretha is in excellent form on this album and just one listen proves it! Every song is nothing less than superb and that's very special. The quality of the sound is excellent and I like that artwork as well.

"Respect," one of Aretha's greatest hits ever, starts the album strong and Aretha belts this out with all her might! Those backup vocalists harmonize perfectly--not that Aretha truly needed it; but they sound good anyway. How's about that brass, too? "Baby, I Love You" has an excellent melody and Aretha sings this faultlessly; "Baby, I Love You" has that classic flavor that I always want to hear. "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" features a lush musical arrangement while Aretha delivers this beautifully; and listen for "Chain of Fools." "Chain of Fools" has always been one of my very favorite Aretha Franklin tunes; that electric guitar really rounds out the arrangement very nicely and Aretha never lets go of a superfluous note! I'm very impressed.

"Do Right Woman - Do Right Man" is yet another classic shining brightly when Aretha Franklin performs it; and if you really want a huge, huge classic there's the masterpiece "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman." "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" belongs to Aretha; so many people could and still do relate to these lyrics and the music that plays along with Aretha's vocals helps to set the mood for the message of the song. "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" is easily my favorite ballad on this CD.

"(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone" has Aretha squarely in the spotlight--the music is strong but wisely the musicians never try to steal the show away from Aretha; she's right there front and center where she'll always belong. "Ain't No Way" is both poignant and moving; and "Think" is an amazing masterpiece, too. All the stars were in all the right places when Aretha recorded "Think." Moreover, "I Say A Little Prayer" is another timeless song that only Aretha could deliver this well; the percussion enhances the music all the more and "I Say A Little Prayer" is gorgeous.

Aretha also does a very creative cover of The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby;" she plays quite a bit with the tempo and keys to make this her own--and she succeeds! The backup singers do a good job, too. "Share Your Love with Me" is memorable to say the least; and the CD ends with Aretha Franklin performing "Call Me." "Call Me" is powerful when Aretha sings it so very well; it easily left me wanting more.

And more is what I (or anyone else) can easily get because so much if not all of Aretha's work has been transferred onto CD. This album is an excellent place to start for newcomers to Aretha Franklin's work; and it's an outstanding CD for anyone who likes really, really good classic soul-R&B music.

This compilation contains some of her very best songs. Aretha is without doubt "The Queen of Soul". One of the pearls of this collection is "I never loved a man (the way I love you)". This song inevitably puts a spell on the listener. It's a piece of pure and sentimental Rhythm & Blues. "Do right woman-Do right man" was the title of Aretha's first golden disc. " I say a little prayer" perfectly reveals her unique vocal style, although other singers, like Dionne Warwick have masterly interpreted this song. "(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since you've been gone" will hardly let anyone sit peacefully in the chair. Arethe Franklin certainly has a very rare charisma in her vocal interpretation.

If you want Aretha at her best,this is the CD to buy. All your favorites on one CD, better than other compilations.

This selection had 16 songs, including Respect and Chain of Fools. Very good introduction to Aretha and her strong voice. I would recommend this CD.