Aretha by Aretha Franklin

Aretha

Aretha Franklin

2021

Aretha is a Soul & Funk album by Aretha Franklin, originally released in 2021. On Gatefold: 7 pressings tracked, owned by 4 collectors.

Sound DNA

  • Soul & Funk
  • Classic Soul
  • warm
  • tender
  • romantic

About

Aretha Franklin’s 1985 album <i>Who’s Zoomin’ Who?</i> had reenergized the Queen of Soul’s commercial career, giving her a massive MTV and radio hit—the inescapable “Freeway of Love”—as well as a Grammy. For her follow-up effort, Franklin reunited with <i>Zoomin’</i> producer Narada Michael Walden, and steered her sound even harder toward the Top 40. The resulting album, 1986’s <i>Aretha</i>, would become her second smash in a row—and yield one of the biggest songs of her later-era career: “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” her duet with George Michael. The collaboration had come together thanks to Arista Records head Clive Davis, who knew Michael had just left Wham!, and decided to connect the now-solo heartthrob with Franklin. Michael had a deep reverence for soul music, and was thrilled for the opportunity to sing with Franklin, flying to Detroit to record with her. They also made a flashy video for the song—a move Franklin embraced. Unlike some artists who’d shot to fame in the 1960s, Franklin was savvy enough to understand that she needed a presence on MTV to remain relevant (and besides, she enjoyed the costuming and performance). A big-hook team-up that spotlighted both singers’ powers, “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” would hit No. 1 in the US and the UK—and earn Franklin another Grammy. Other key tracks from <i>Aretha</i> include “Jimmy Lee,” “If You Need My Love Tonight”—a duet with Larry Graham—and “Rock-A-Lott.” But the sleeper hit on this album is Franklin’s cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” featuring backup from none other than Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood. According to Richards’ autobiography, he insisted Aretha play piano on the track—clearly, he’d heard that Franklin was at her best and most focused when she’s on the keyboard. Her take on the song had a brief run on the charts, but today, it holds up as the best Rolling Stones cover of all time.

via Apple Music

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Tracklist

  1. 1-1Never Grow Old2:57
  2. 1-2You Grow Closer2:45
  3. 1-3Today I Sing The Blues2:51
  4. 1-4Won't Be Long3:00
  5. 1-5Are You Sure2:43
  6. 1-6Operation Heartbreak3:02
  7. 1-7Skylark2:55
  8. 1-8Runnin' Out Of Fools2:35
  9. 1-9One Step Ahead2:37
  10. 1-10(No, No) I'm Losing You3:10
  11. 1-11Cry Like A Baby2:08
  12. 1-12A Little Bit Of Soul2:21
  13. 1-13My Kind Of Town (Detroit Is) (Demo)1:58
  14. 1-14Try A Little Tenderness (Demo)3:26
  15. 1-15I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)2:53
  16. 1-16Do Right Woman - Do Right Man3:16
  17. 1-17Respect2:27
  18. 1-18A Change Is Gonna Come4:17
  19. 1-19Chain Of Fools (Alternate Version)4:23
  20. 1-20(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (U.K. Single Version)2:41
  21. 1-21(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone2:25
  22. 1-22Ain't No Way4:15
  23. 1-23My Song3:34
  24. 1-24You Send Me2:29
  25. 1-25The House That Jack Built2:23
  26. 1-26Tracks Of My Tears2:53
  27. 2-1Baby I Love You (Live)2:51
  28. 2-2Son Of A Preacher Man3:18
  29. 2-3Call Me (Alternate Version)3:22
  30. 2-4Let It Be3:32
  31. 2-5Young, Gifted And Black (Alternate Longer Take)3:50
  32. 2-6Bridge Over Troubled Water (Long Promo 45 Version)4:25
  33. 2-7It's Not Unusual / See Saw3:08
  34. 2-8You're All I Need To Get By (Work Tape)4:15
  35. 2-9Brand New Me (Alternate Take 6)4:09
  36. 2-10Spanish Harlem (Alternate Mix)4:13
  37. 2-11Rock Steady (Alternate Mix/Take)4:31
  38. 2-12Day Dreaming4:09
  39. 2-13Share Your Love With Me (Live)4:37
  40. 2-14Don't Play That Song (Live)2:59
  41. 2-15Dr. Feelgood (Live)7:04
  42. 2-16Spirit In The Dark (Reprise) (Live)8:48
  43. 2-17How I Got Over (Live) (Single Edit)4:03
  44. 2-18Master Of Eyes (The Deepness Of Your Eyes)3:23
  45. 3-1Somewhere (Alternate Version)5:43
  46. 3-2Angel (Work Tape)5:32
  47. 3-3The Boy From Bombay3:22
  48. 3-4Til It's Over (Demo)3:04
  49. 3-5(Oh Baby) A.K.A. There's Something Magic About You (Demo)3:08
  50. 3-6Until You Come Back To Me (Work Tape)3:46
  51. 3-7I'm In Love (Alternate Vocal)2:59
  52. 3-8Without Love3:51
  53. 3-9Mr. D.J. (5 For The D.J.)4:29
  54. 3-10You4:48
  55. 3-11Something He Can Feel3:26
  56. 3-12Look Into Your Heart4:05
  57. 3-13Break It To Me Gently3:24
  58. 3-14When I Think About You4:52
  59. 3-15Almighty Fire (Woman Of The Future)4:42
  60. 3-16Ladies Only (Short Version)4:03
  61. 3-17You Light Up My Life4:41
  62. 3-18Ooo Baby Baby2:17
  63. 3-19Amazing Grace5:59
  64. 4-1Think3:16
  65. 4-2I Say A Little Prayer2:57
  66. 4-3United Together4:11
  67. 4-4Jump To It4:14
  68. 4-5The Wind4:58
  69. 4-6Freeway Of Love4:09
  70. 4-7Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves4:29
  71. 4-8I Knew You We're Waiting (For Me)3:59
  72. 4-9Oh Happy Day (Live At New Bethel Baptist Church, Detroit, MI, July 1987)4:05
  73. 4-10A Rose Is Still A Rose4:29
  74. 4-11Someday We'll All Be Free8:22
  75. 4-12The Makings Of You4:27
  76. 4-13Nessun Dorma (Live)3:20
  77. 4-14At Last6:30
  78. 4-15You've Got A Friend4:56
  79. 4-16Rolling In The Deep (The Aretha Version)4:05
  80. 4-17My Country 'Tis Of Thee2:59
  81. 4-18(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (Live)3:53

Credits

Performers

4 collectors on Gatefold own this · 7 pressings tracked on Gatefold