The Definitive Soul Collection

Aretha Franklin

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1993
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Atlantic / Wea
• ASIN: B000002IJG
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #49,036 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
Aretha Franklin's voice is an instrument of such exquisite expression that it has been matched but a few times in the 20th century. Borrowing from jazz, soul, R&B, rock, pop, and, of course, gospel--and accompanying herself on piano--she created an artistic vision that was wholly realized. Hits includes most of her chart singles from those incomparable Atlantic years, from "Respect" in 1967 well into the '70s, as well as noncharting classics like "Do Right Woman" and "Dr. Feelgood." This is the definitive introduction to Franklin's artistry, but be warned: get this and you're going to want more. --David Cantwell

Product Description
An excellent double-length collection that offers 30 convincing reasons why Aretha Franklin reigns supreme as the most important female vocalist of her era! --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still the best collection of the "Queen of Soul"!!!!, June 18, 2004

By	Paul Tognetti "The real world is so much more... (Cranston, RI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Originally released in Canada on vinyl way back in 1985, this collection from Atlantic records remains the absolute best overview of Aretha Franklin during her peak years from 1967 through 1974. While her subsequent work for Arista in the eighties produced some fine singles, most of those lacked the edge, energy and intensity of these earlier recordings. Of the 30 songs included on this terrific collection all but two made the Billboard Hot 100. And of these a total of 14 were Top Ten tunes. Quite surprising to me was the fact that Aretha managed only one #1 pop hit during her career and that one--you guessed it--was her 1967 smash "Respect". The story was a bit different though on the Soul/R&B charts where Aretha had a total of 20 #1 singles during her phenomenol career. She was also a significant player on Billboard's Top Pop Album charts during this period. In all, more than 30 of Arethas albums would make the charts.
Atlantic has included everything you would expect to find on a collection of one of their most prolific and successful artists ever. I can think of no major omissions. And all are the original 45 rpm recordings you heard on the radio. Enjoy once again tunes like "Chain of Fools", "Think" and the rollicking "Since You've Been Gone". You will also hear the more mellow side of Aretha with tunes like "Day Dreaming" and her big one from 1973 "Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)". Atlantic has provided an attractive booklet loaded with information and also presents the Billboard chart information on each and every tune. For collectors and fans of 1960's and 1970's popular music this 2 CD set is essential. Very highly recommended.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sterling Aretha, July 30, 2003

By	eclectictastes "eclectictastes" (Columbus, OH USA) - See all my reviews

In this here today, gone today music industry of 2003, many people in their 20s and 30s probably look at Aretha Franklin as a singer who has been coasting the fame train on her hit Respect and not much more. Some probably even look at her as the Whitney, Mariah, Beyounce or Ashanti of her day. That would be wrong because Aretha is in a class by herself. During her artistic pinnacle in the 60s and 70s (an era of great rock/pop/soul music), few could top Franklin.

This CD is an excellent place to start for the greatness of Aretha. With the songs I'll Never Love A Man, Ain't No Way, Since You've Been Gone and others, Franklin's sullen phrasing evokes a woman in the throes of an anguished relationship. Although such themes are prevalent today, few singers wrench as much emotion out of their material. Aretha also takes material made famous by other artists and remakes them into her own. Of course in addition to Otis Redding's Respect, there is I Say A Little Prayer, Stevie Wonder's Until You Come Back to Me and Simon/Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water. You will hit the repeat button for Don't Play That Song, a foot stomping, hand clapping remake of the old Ben E. King hit.

Although she is justifiably known for her singing and phrasing, Franklin was/is also an underrated piano player and songwriter. Check out Call Me, Spirit In The Dark and Day Dreaming. I wish today's young singers would look to Aretha's early material and take note. All the tracks on this double CD are winners.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tap On Your Window Pane, June 1, 2001

By	David Bradley "David Bradley" (Sterling, VA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

You can't have too many Aretha Franklin LPs. The organic sound of her early records, combined with the greatest voice in Soul and Pop music, made for a string of records almost uniformly great.

30 GREATEST HITS sweeps through those years, and pulls up short before the embarrassing "Highway Of Love" years. Songs like "Call Me," "You're All I Need," and "Oh Me Oh My" are perfect gems that you may not have heard before, and "Until You Come Back To Me" is one of the all time great forgotten singles.