Aretha Franklin [2021] - Aretha [Rhino] (Album Selections)

The full 81 track compilation of Aretha Franklin's "Aretha" was released digitally today (10 Sep 2021) by Rhino/Atlantic (over 5 hours of music). It's quite remarkable that a release of 81 tracks still misses so many of her greatest recordings, especially from the 70s (album tracks). That's not a criticism, it is a reflection on the amount of great music the first lady of soul has produced. They probably could have added another 80 tracks and still missed some magical moments such was the quantity and quality of her output! What they have done though, rather than just regurgitate her back catalogue, is find rare, alternate takes, demos, work tapes, live recordings and mono masters which makes this collection interesting even if you own the original recordings.

There is an excellent in depth review and dissection of the album at theseconddisc.com if you're interested in more detail.

I'd love to see a second volume including alternate takes on many other tracks not included. In fact I think in another post I'll put together a playlist of some other great tracks not included in this compilation.

I've hand picked a selection of tracks, mainly alternate or demo versions or previously unreleased tracks as we are all very familiar with her regular output. There are 21 of the 81 tracks equating to 90 minutes of music.

A cut down version was released on vinyl in Jul along with a full CD version which I can't find available for sale in UK .. so perhaps it was only released on CD in US(?) .. and strangely the CD version is significantly cheaper than the digital as I've seen some advertised on US Amazon for $37.50 versus £54.99 for the UK digital release, so have a shop around before taking the plunge! The CD comes neatly packaged with in depth sleeve notes so a better option I would think, especially if you can find it cheaper!

Here's a link to the full album. Click album image below for full track list.

Additional notes:

Someday We'll All Be Free is from the Malcolm X soundtrack.

(I posted this track on my YouTube channel over a year ago (along with a handful of other tracks that at the time of posting were not on YT) and it is the most viewed with the most comments) UPDATE: since the release of this album I have noticed that the video has now been blocked on copyright grounds!

You Light Up My Life is previously unreleased

The Wind is a previously unreleased cover of The Diablos Feat. Nolan Strong (1954) (who co-wrote the song) .. a magnificent addition!

The Makings Of You was written by Curtis Mayfield and previously only on a 1994 compilation "A Tribute To Curtis Mayfield".

Details

Rating:	9
Genre/Style:	Classic Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Rhino
Cat No:	None
Date:	10/09/2021
Value:	£54.99