Aretha Franklin [2021] - You Light Up My Life (Aretha Box Set) [Rhino]

A previously unreleased recording of "You Light Up My Life" from 1978 by Aretha Franklin from a forthcoming album "Aretha" which I believe was released on vinyl (4 x 5 track) on 16 Jul but an extended version (81 tracks) will not be available until 10 Sep 2021. A 4 CD box set will also be available (30 Jul 2021 I think?). Click on album sleeve image below for a full track listing.

The release contains hits, alternate versions, demos, rarities and live tracks starting from 1956, her pre Columbia period, through to her Arista period, but focusses mainly on her Atlantic tenure between 1967-79, so it's not the same old tracks rolled out one more time which many of us will already have!

Only she could take what is essentially quite a bland ballad (a song written by Joe Brooks in 1977 as the title track for a film of the same name, which by all accounts got panned and it is rated only 4.7/10 on IMDB) and do it in her inimitable way, which she puts a gospel spin on! It is a tremendous and moving performance which shows that it is not just the song, but the artist's interpretation that counts.

Pat Boone's daughter Debby was the first to record/cover it and had a US #1 hit with it in 1977. It was also recorded by many others including Johnny Mathis (45 UK only & "You Light Up My Life"), Loleatta Holloway (45 & "Queen Of The Night"), Jean Carn ("Happy To Be With You") in 1978 and Whitney Houston ("Just Whitney") in 2002.

Details

Rating:	8.6
Genre/Style:	Soul Ballad
Format:	Album Track
Media:	Digital
Label:	Rhino
Cat No:	None
Year:	23/06/2021
Key/BPM:	10B/68
Value:	£1