Orthodox thinking says... Columbia Records didn't know what to do with Aretha Franklin. They knew they had a major talent, but they couldn't find the right musical setting for her, or a sympathetic producer. They wasted her on jazz standards and unexciting blues numbers and worst of all they tried to straighten out her gospel roots. Isn't that like taking the alcohol out of the Jack Daniels? What are you left with? A slightly syrupy malt drink. Only when she got to Atlantic did it all start to fly.
Davy H says...
Hmm, well, kind of. But it's also true that if you're missing
pre-Atlantic era Aretha you're missing some pretty good stuff. Just, you
know, use your head; be selective.
For Mondo, who I promised some of this to a while back.
Aretha Franklin - 'Land Of Dreams' (1965)
Aretha Franklin - 'Skylark' (1965)
Aretha Franklin - 'Operation Heartbreak' (1961)
Aretha Franklin - 'Running Out Of Fools' (1964)
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Great stuff. Well, I haven't had time to download them yet but they will be great.
ReplyDeleteGreat, I have 40 mins to kill before the pub. Problem fixed.
ReplyDeleteBTW Lady Soul has to be my absolute fave Aretha album
Davey you're a star - I've been on the run around all day. And need a soother or a straightner. I'll do both now with these beaut's and glass of something smooth over ice - Luscious
ReplyDeleteJust tried 'Skylarking' and 'Running Out Of Fools' but will save the others for home use...
There's a touch of Nancy Wilson about them too
Aretha never struck me as great looking but she looks beautiful in this picture. Will listen to the music now.
ReplyDeleteFriday already?!
ReplyDelete*mutter*grumble*mutter....had some Aretha set for Sunday....damn these bloody blog coincidences!
ReplyDeleteGrand stuff!
Sorry. Some of these are potato-roasting kinda tunes too.
ReplyDeleteTempus fugit don't it Jon?
Never mind, my selection's gone on the back burner thanks to a bit of Dexys kick...
ReplyDeleteSorry to spoil the mood, but she looks a bit bog-eyed to me.
ReplyDeleteLike one eye's gone to the shops, and the other is coming back with the change.
Richard, you are one sensitive guy.
ReplyDeletegorgeous maestro. she starts showing off a bit too much on a lot of later stuff for me but hell i would if that's what came out when i opened my big mouth
ReplyDeletex
I don’t know if you check your stats but if you do the person who spent over 2 hours apparently looking at one page last night was me. I had a few beers and decided to download some Aretha and watch MOTD at about 11 o’clock. Next thing I knew it was 1am, there was some old Charlie Bronson film on the box and I’d managed just one song. I logged off and went to bed with a headache :(
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! Had you been dribbling?
ReplyDeleteNo, but I believe Ronaldo had!
ReplyDeleteSomething wierd's happened. I was just checking My Files on Mediafire and 'Land of Dreams' is there. I certainly didn't upload it so I think Mediafire has got confused. Has it disappeared from your files?
ReplyDeleteNope, still there. Sure you didn't upload it during your Sunday 'senior moment'?
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm sure. I wasn't that tired and emotional. Now I think about it, I remember seeing my email address in the corner of the Mediafire screen and thinking 'is that right?' Definitely Mediafire's senior moment, not mine.
ReplyDelete