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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An absolute must-have for Franklin fans, October 15, 2007
Let's make one thing clear right off the bat: "Rare & Unreleased Recordings from the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soul" is essential for any fan of Aretha Franklin's, period. But it's also recommended for any lover of genuine soul music in general.
Some of us who are Aretha Franklin fans have been awaiting this particular set for a long, long time. We'd read all about the canned tracks recorded during this session or that session, usually described on each of Aretha's Atlantic releases in detail by the Ambassador of Soul, David Nathan. But we've only been able to imagine what they sounded like, wondering all the while why at least a few of them just couldn't have been included as bonus tracks.
Only able to imagine until now, that is. Finally, an excellent sampling of the demos or out of print B-sides the Queen cut during THE years of 1966-1973 are commercially available. And what a sampling it is. From the opening demos on the first disc (which range from firecrackers to dynamite) to the closing ballads which have arrangements reminiscent of her Columbia period, these are songs which any casual to hardcore fan of Aretha Franklin's MUST have.
To be certain, there are revelatory moments. Some cuts are truly artistic in every sense of the word with a depth of feeling and musicianship beyond compare (Trying To Overcome, Pledging My Love/The Clock, and the "WOW!" duet with Ray Charles). After all, Aretha earned and deserved -- and still deserves -- her crown as the Queen Of Soul, getting that feeling, that emotion, that can-you-feel-what-I'm-saying vibe across. She gets that across even in 2007 when she is feeling it, although it doesn't come across on studio recordings like it used to. But the focus, passion and intensity that plainly and consistently marked the pre-1974 phase of her career is present on 75% of the songs in this collection.
Other tracks simply let you marvel at the quality of Aretha's unusual vocal gifts during her prime (Love Letters, At Last). The same vocal range and abilities that allowed her to convey soul better than just about anyone could also override restraint at times. A case can be made that is something that happens at times in gospel and soul music in general, and Aretha is not exempt. It goes with the territory. Overall though, there is comparatively little self-indulgence or just singing for singing's sake ... although one can tell that the mind-blowing passion and intensity referenced earlier started to wane a tad by the time you get to the second half of disc 2, which would only be natural over time.
Virtually every song here affirms why Aretha holds the place in musical history that she does, but there is nothing here that outdoes what's already been commercially released. Obviously, Aretha would have earned every accolade she already did if these songs had never seen the light of the day (although a couple of these seem Grammy-ready for the time, lol). Further, some of these may be eye-openers for people that are only familiar with the mega-hits like Respect and Think. But it's doubtful that folks who own Aretha's greatest hits sets and other compilations from the Atlantic era will become any more of a fan based solely on these tracks, since it mirrors so much of her other work.
But -- that's precisely the same reason why any real Aretha fan can't be without this Golden Reign collection: it's simply more of the same from that super-creative time period that in many ways defined that classic Aretha sound. There are a few rough edges to be sure. These are called demos and outtakes for a reason. But there are only a few rough edges, and they are not enough to ruin the listening experience, as has happened with other veteran artists' tapes that have finally been "released from the vaults."
Many thanks to Rhino, David Nathan, Jerry Wexler, and the Queen herself for making this project possible. Now, people the world over can hear a just a few more examples of genuine, heartfelt soul music from a period in history that is not likely to be repeated again.
Long live the one and only Queen Of Soul, Aretha Louise Franklin.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Golden Reign Indeed!, October 16, 2007
Anyone reading this who is half as big a fan of Aretha's as I am should investigate this one at the very least. I bought it unheard, with only Rhino Handmade's review to guide me (and they, naturally, were trying to sell it to me). I did order it and got it in time to listen before it's wider-distribution street date.
This is an unqualified, studpendous Aretha-Fest. There is no one like her, and most of these tracks are from her greatest years. Many have never been heard before, outside of the circle of folks who produced the recordings. It's about time Aretha got her from-the-vaults Atlantic Records out-takes, demos and b-sides package. Other than the fact that the first few tracks are of poor sound quality (and mono), there is nothing to criticize here. It's Aretha at her peak, with some nice photos and fascinating notes co-written by Jerry Wexler and David Ritz, and most of all, wonderful songs, performances and arrangements. Some tracks are re-makes, others demos, and most are outtakes from many of Franklin's famous Atlantic LP's. I can only agree with the many who are already wondering aloud why some of these marvelous slices of soul-pop never saw the light of day, 'til now.
The ones that floored me the most were "Talk To Me, Talk To Me" (a SOUL '69 album outtake), and a knockout, original, almost jazzy rendering of the Lennon-McCartney classic, "Fool On The Hill." Aretha shows us all how a cover should be done (she makes it her own - I like several other versions of this song, but Aretha's is very different from any of the others). A medley of "Pledging My Love" and "The Clock" is distingushed by a very interesting vocal approach by Aretha in which she creates a new work of art from two others, quite unlike the originals. As far as I'm concerned, Aretha's "You Keep Me Hangin' On" blows Diana's sacred version out of the water, and hearing the unedited version of "Rock Steady," I wondered why it was ever edited to begin with. Ditto with "Chain Of Fools" (another great, previously unreleased full-length of a hit song, recently included as a bonus track on the re-issue of Lady Soul). All I have to say about "My Cup Runneth Over" and "My Way" is, WOW! Ed Ames and Frank Sinatra would have smiled with pride, had they heard how Aretha honored their respective signature tunes. Aretha even holds her own against Etta James' definitive version of "At Last" (Aretha's is an outtake from LET ME IN YOUR LIFE, recorded in 1973). One of the most unusual covers here is Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne," which is given some rhythm and sped up. I have never heard it done this way, but in Aretha's capable hands, It works. Something is missing, though, possibly due to Aretha not really understanding the song (just my opinion; I love Cohen, but he was ever the cryptic one in those days). Doesn't matter; Aretha's go at this oft-covered song is still worth hearing.
This CD is a special gift to the music world. I highly recommend it.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
3 Stars.... But Still A Must Have, October 18, 2007
For those of us who knew of these "lost" recordings this compilation is long overdue, and frankly one that I feared would never see the light of day.
The one true jewel here (a cover version of My Way), was originally edited and released on an as seen on tv vinyl lp many many years ago, the unedited version included here stands as one of Aretha's best vocal and piano perforamces.
Although there are some engaging tracks i.e Mr. Big and a cover of You Keep Me Hanging On, it doesnt appear the folks at Atlantic saved any singles material for release at a later date. Don't get me wrong, as a hardcore Aretha fan, I'd rather listen to her B sides than most singers A sides.
The biggest surprise for me was that the included different versions of two previously released tracks (Lean On Me & Thats The Way I Feel About You), are superior to the versions released, the former as a B side and the latter on the Quincy Jones produced Hey Now Hey lp.
There are three songs on this disc that I have always thought Aretha should record. None of them lived up to my expectations. The first, Talk To Me, was recorded in the Soul 69 album sessions, that had Aretha singing with a jazz band that did not suit her. The other two, At Last and Love Letters, have Aretha straying so far from the melody line that these classic ballads become almost unrecognizable.
With all the above being said, let me make one thing clear, this disc is an absolute must have. The vocal performances on the demos of Sweet Bitter Love and Are You Leaving Me are themselves worth every penny you spend on this CD. But also these seven years of recordings add to the historical record of the evolution of one of the all time greats.
Hopefully the folks at Rhino and Atlantic have more saved for a volume 2....let's keep our fingers crossed.
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