Aretha Franklin [2024] - Lean On Me (Live) [Vision] (Full Album)

A thirteen track live album recorded in 1982 titled "Lean On Me (Live)" by Aretha Franklin has appeared on Amazon today, although it gives a release date of  16 Feb.

It is not (yet) available on Spotify and nor can we find it on YouTube, so we are not able to embed sound files but you can listen to samples on Amazon by clicking on the sleeve image below. If and when it becomes available on Spotify we'll embed sound files.

Track Listing:

01 - Hold On, I'm Coming (Live 1982) 04:48

02 - Love Me Forever (Live 1982) 03:35

03 - It's Your Thing (Live 1982) 04:00

04 - I Wanna Make It Up To You (Live 1982) 06:45

05 - Daydreaming (Live 1982) 03:43

06 - Rock Steady (Live 1982) 02:38

07 - I Say A Little Prayer (Live 1982) 02:20

08 - Respect (Live 1982) 02:30

09 - Baby, Baby, Baby (Live 1982) 03:34

10 - Ain't No Way (Live 1982) 06:07

11 - Band Introductions (Live 1982) 01:17

12 - Brand New Me (Live 1982) 04:53

13 - Jump To It (Live 1982) 07:41

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Classic Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Vision
Cat No:	None
Date:	16/02/2024 (28/03/2024)
Price:	£7.89

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Aretha Franklin (25 Mar 1942 - 16 Aug 2018) - A Tribute

Today is the fifth anniversary of the passing of the undisputed 'Queen of Soul', the one and only, never to be replaced, Aretha Franklin.

We would have loved to post a playlist but with Spotify now restricting music outside their web player to 30 second samples it somewhat hinders it. Rather than embedding the playlist (which is a bit pointless) we've provided a link to listen in full on Spotify. 

Playlist with tracks in (more or less) chronological order

No	Title
1	Soulville
2	One Step Ahead
3	I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face
4	Tighten Up Your Tie, Button Up Your Jacket (Make It For The Door)
5	Cry Like A Baby
6	Only the One You Love
7	A Little Bit of Soul
8	Walk On By
9	My Guy
10	Don't Let Me Lose This Dream
11	Save Me
12	A Change Is Gonna Come
13	Satisfaction
14	96 Tears
15	Prove It
16	So Soon (Aretha Arrives Outtake)
17	Ain't No Way
18	Niki Hoeky
19	Come Back Baby
20	Groovin'
21	Chain of Fools (Alternate Version)
22	(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone
23	The House That Jack Built
24	I Can't See Myself Leaving You
25	I Say a Little Prayer
26	If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody
27	Gentle on My Mind
28	Elusive Butterfly
29	This Girl's in Love With You
30	Call Me (Alternate Version)
31	Don't Play That Song
32	Oh No Not My Baby
33	Why I Sing the Blues
34	Oh Me Oh My (I'm a Fool for You Baby)
35	Day Dreaming
36	Young, Gifted and Black (Alternate Longer Take)
37	Brand New Me (Alternate Take 6)
38	April Fools
39	Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)
40	You'll Never Walk Alone
41	Angel - Work Tape
42	Until You Come Back to Me (Demo)
43	Sister From Texas
44	Mister Spain
45	That's the Way I Feel About Cha
46	Master of Eyes (The Deepness of Your Eyes)
47	I'm in Love (Alternate Vocal - Let Me in Your Life Outtake)
48	Til It's Over - Demo
49	Oh Baby (aka There's Something Magic About You Demo)
50	A Song for You
51	You
52	I Get High
53	Sparkle
54	Hooked on Your Love
55	Look into Your Heart
56	Rock with Me
57	Break It to Me Gently
58	The Wind

We've tried to avoid the blindingly obvious tracks (but have included alternate versions of some) and dug a little deeper to highlight lesser known B sides and album tracks and alternate takes. 

Aretha's big breakthrough came in 1967 with a cover version of Otis Redding's "Respect", now probably her signature song, which topped both Billboard's R&B chart and Hot 100 and made it to #10 on UK pop chart. That wasn't her first #1 though, as she had already topped the R&B chart with "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)" which also reached #9 Hot 100.

She had spent several years languishing at Columbia, releasing around nine albums between 1961-67 without a great deal of commercial success before being signed to Atlantic Records announcing her arrival with "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)" followed by "Aretha Arrives" in 1967. 

It's a bit of a sad indictment that in the UK her biggest selling single (and only #1 hit) was a duet with George Michael and another, of only five UK Top 10 hits, was with Annie Lennox! ("Respect", "I Say A Little Prayer" and "A Deeper Love" being the other three).

With just so much great music that she has left us with it's difficult knowing where to start, or more importantly where to stop, so we've limited this selection to tracks between 1964-76. 

The exception is her beautiful rendition of The Diablos feat, Nolan Strong "The Wind" (1954) which was unreleased until appearing on the 81 track compilation "Aretha" in 2021 (it may have previously featured on a compilation?). It was recorded in 1983 for the Luther Vandross produced "Get It Right" album but left off. The song was also recorded by Laura Nyro for her 1971 album "Gonna Take A Miracle" which had LaBelle on backing vocals (the album was actually credited as Laura Nyro & LaBelle).

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Aretha Franklin [2023] - So Soon / It Was You [Soul4Real #S4R30]

Soul4Real has taken two tracks from a 2007 CD compilation "Rare & Unreleased Recordings From The Golden Reign Of The Queen Of Soul". Both are outtakes from "Aretha Arrives" album in 1967.

The A side "So Soon" was also recorded by/credited to Donnie Elbert and was the first single release on Glenn Gunton's, now defunct, Joe Boy label in 1997.

The Joe Boy sleeve notes states that Elbert wrote the song when he moved to England circa 1968 and recorded an acetate of it. So quite how it came to be recorded by Aretha as a outtake/reject for her 1967 album which credits Van McCoy as the writer is a mystery? There is speculation that the vocal sounds more like McCoy or his cohort Chris Bartley, so perhaps that is more likely the answer. The Joe Boy version is included below and you can decide.

The B side is a cover of an early James Brown song "It Was You" which he recorded in July 1959 on Federal which Aretha updates from a doo wop item into a more deep soul number in her inimitable way.

Available to pre-order now from Soul4Real's new/revamped website for release on 15 Jun '23.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Northern Soul / Deep Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Soul4Real
Cat No:	S4R30
Date:	15/06/2023
Key/BPM:	8B/128 / 6B/76
Price:	€15

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Aretha Franklin [1972] - April Fools [Atlantic #45-2883]

Kicking off April Fools Day with Aretha's, Bacharach & David written, crossover tune from her 1972  "Young, Gifted & Black" album.

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Crossover / Northern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Atlantic
Cat No:	45-2883
Date:	1972
Key/BPM:	6B/118
Value:	£10 approx.

A Tribute to The Queen of Soul

Aretha Franklin would have been 80 today had the world not lost the undisputed and Queen of Soul on 16 Aug 2018.

Since her death a significant compilation simply titled "Aretha" was released which consists of 80 tracks including many rare and previously unreleased recordings. In response the same day it was released I posted an 'alternative' 55 track compilation and provided links to four tracks from the mid 70s which have never been available digitally.

Unbeknown to me beforehand these four tracks were selected and featured today as Gary Van Den Bussche's lunchtime sandwich on his Starpoint Radio show which is what inspired this post as we can never get enough of her music. Thanks Gary!

Last year also saw the release of a biopic movie "Respect" starring Jennifer Hudson as Aretha along with the soundtrack.

In 2017 an album "Brand New Me" was released  containing new orchestral arrangement of many of her hits.

Aretha Franklin [2017] - A Brand New Me: Aretha Franklin (With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) [Rhino]

It's still very slow this week for good quality new releases so today may well be an Aretha or at least an Aretha related day!

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra have just released an album of orchestral re-workings of the Motown songbook but this one of Aretha Franklin songs somehow passed me by when released in 2017. It spans her 'golden period' on Atlantic from 1966-79 with the latest recording being "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing" from 1974 all given the orchestral treatment.

I think my favourites on here are "Until You Come Back To Me", "Oh Me Oh My", "Angel" and "You're All I Need To Get By", but as far as I'm concerned Aretha could sing the phone book (remember those?) and it would sound good. She is undoubtedly the undisputed Queen Of Soul and always will be. 

It may surprise you to learn that she only ever had one solo #1 Billboard Hot 100 hit with "Respect" in 1967. Her only other, believe it or not, was the duet with George Michael in 1987 with "If I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)"! However, fifteen others were top 10 and twenty reached the top spot on the R&B chart. She is second only to James Brown of the highest rated soul artists in terms of chart positions of all time and is equal to Stevie Wonder in terms of R&B #1 hits.

P.S. I'm building a Spotify playlist of some of the better covers of Aretha tunes that I can find and will post when it's complete, but have posted a few that are only available on YouTube for now.

Aretha Franklin [1992] - Standing On The Rock Of Love [Capitol #CDP 0777 7 99896 2]

After the weekend deluge of new releases things are pretty quiet on that front today so I will take the opportunity of posting some hidden gems.

A track picked up on from a play by Gary Van Den Bussche last week is an obscure track from Aretha Franklin "Standing On The Rock Of Love" on a Capitol compilation for BeBe's Kids (an adult animated comedy movie released in 1992). 

It's by no means 'one of her best' but good for that era and probably not that well known? The song was co-written by Billy Griffin (The Miracles), Cindy Mizelle and John Barnes.

There are few other good tracks on the compilation including from Phil Perry and Ronald Isley (which I think Gary also played which I'll post if I can find it).

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

Aretha Franklin - A Compilation of tracks not featured on Aretha

As alluded to on the Aretha post earlier, here's a compilation of 55 tracks NOT featured on the new "Aretha" compilation released today. Hopefully there may be a track or two you had forgotten about or didn't know? The tracks are in chronological order and begin in 1964 from "Runnin' Out Of Fools" and end with her last album of original material "So Damn Happy" 2003. There's the odd track available only on compilations. (3hrs 36 mins of entertainment .. good for a long journey!) 

There were a few tracks from her 70s albums I'd have liked to have included but they are not available on Spotify i.e. "Sunshine Will Never Be The Same", "No One Could Ever Love You More" from "Sweet Passion" (1977), "I Needed You Baby" from "Almighty Fire" (1978) and "Half A Love" from "La Diva" (1979).

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

Aretha Franklin [2021] - Respect - Biopic - in UK cinemas tomorrow

A reminder that the Aretha Franklin biopic "Respect" is released in UK cinemas tomorrow (10 Sep 2021). The reviews didn't look particularly favourable that I posted after US release along with the full soundtrack but go with an open mind.

In addition the 81 track compilation "Aretha" (alluded to on 19 Jul) drops tomorrow from which I will post the 'interesting tracks' as I don't think you'll want to plough through 81 tracks all at once!

Click image for full track list.

Version Excursion - It Only Happens When I Look At You

"It Only Happens When I Look At You" is a song written by British songwriters Ken Gold and Michael Denne and recorded first by Aretha Franklin on her 1975 album "You". 

It has become a sought after item by Jackie Wilson as it wasn't released on 45 in the US, only UK, Spain and Turkey. 

Australian singer Rene Geyer also did a live version (only?) with Doug Williams on a 1976 album "Really Really Love You". It was featured in the soundtrack for a 1999 New Zealand movie "What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted".

UK band (from Birmingham) Delegation recorded it 1976 on the B side to their debut single "The Promise Of Love".

The Majors, who I think are from The Netherlands,  released it in 1976.

I've also found a few more recent versions, one from 1996 by a Japanese producer Little Big Bee (aka Eitetsu Takamiya), Aloha Feat. Pati from a 2010 album titled "Take Me Home" and finally a live studio version (which has probably not been released) by Aussies Tame & Lee recorded in 2014.

I also found some footage of  a very glamorous looking Aretha singing it live.

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

Aretha Franklin [1970] - Oh No Not My Baby [Atlantic (UK) #2099-044]

A great 'crossover' version of the Goffin & King classic from The Queen, first released by Maxine Brown in 1964 with Dee Dee Warwick on the harmonies.  

This one is fairly 'under the radar' as it only got a UK 45 release but did feature on her 1970 'Spirit In The Dark' album.

Details

Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Atlantic (UK)
Cat No:	2099-044
Year:	1970
Key:	5A
BPM:	90
Value:	£50-£65 (approx.)

Chaka Khan & Idina Menzel [2021] - I'm Every Woman (IWD 2021)

It was International Women's Day last Monday which I celebrated with posts from some of the biggest female black music artists of the 20th century.  What I missed though was that Chaka Khan recorded a new version of her debut solo single 'I'm Every Woman' with Idina Menzel to commemorate the day.

I also found a 2021 rework by French DJ Kmell and a new release of a cover of it by Tinashe, so thought I'd bundle them all into a single post along with a few other noteworthy versions.

Chaka Khan & Idina Menzel [2021] - I'm Every Woman

I don't think it's commercially available.

SoulBounce article

Billboard article

Chaka Khan [2021] - I'm Every Woman (Kmell Rework 2021)

Tinashe Feat. TOKiMONSTA [2021] - I'm Every Woman (From 'Black History Always / Music For the Movement Vol. 2') [Hollywood]

Released 26 Feb 2021. More style over substance methinks!

Deborah Cox [2017] - I'm Every Woman [Broadway]

Aretha Franklin [2014] - I'm Every Woman / Respect [RCA #88875 03488 1]

'Probably' the ultimate 'womans's anthem' must be this medley of 'I'm Every Woman & Respect' by Aretha Franklin from her 2014 album 'Sings Great Diva Classics'.

Whitney Houston [1993] - I'm Every Woman [Arista #07822-12519-7]

Aretha Franklin Biopic 'Respect' starring Jennifer Hudson

The Aretha Franklin biopic 'Respect' will star Jennifer Hudson as Aretha, chosen for the role by Aretha herself.  It was originally scheduled for release on 15 Jan 2021 and then delayed until Aug 13 2021 due to COVID19, but still hasn't been released.  I can't find any info on a new release date, so watch out for it.

View the official trailer below and watch JHud perform in front of Ms Franklin.

Genius: Aretha - A New TV Series due 21 Mar 2021

I'm not sure if we are able to receive this in UK, but National Geographic have finally released Season 3 of their Genius series after filming was disrupted due to Covid. Series 1 was Einstein, 2 was Picasso and 3 will be Aretha Franklin!

It's a 8 part series scheduled for air from 21-24 Mar 2021 and stars Cynthia Erivo as Aretha. Two eposides will be shown on four consecutive evenings between 21 Mar and 24 Mar with Hulu streaming the episodes the following evening.

On 25 Mar, to coincide with Aretha's birthday, all episodes will be available to stream online.

See trailer below. 

Chaka v Luther v Aretha & Stevie - Until You Come Back To Me

This post's title says it all as I'm sure that just from the first names you know already exactly who to expect.

This is the result when muscial genius collides - Chaka Khan and Luther Vandross covering a song made famous by Aretha Franklin (who had #3 Hot 100 /#1 R&B hit with it in 1973), which was co-written by Stevie Wonder (with Morris Broadnax and Clarence Paul) who first recorded it in 1967 (but unreleased until 1977 on a compilation 'Looking Back').

Chaka Khan (Live)

Aretha Franklin & Stevie Wonder (Live)

It is such a blessing what can be found on YT. Here's Aretha & Stevie in duet on the song in 2005.

Luther Vandross (Live)

The master of interpretation Luther Vandross doing his arrangement of the song as a medley Superstar/Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do) from 'Busy Body' and released as a single in 1984 but only reached #87 on Hot 100!

Hil St. Soul (Live)

Whilst we're here it would be rude not to include Hil St. Soul's live version. It is the song that turned me onto them when it was released in 2000 from their debut album 'Soul Organic'. It's great to see they seem to be finally getting the recognition deserved albeit 20 years later!

Aretha Franklin [2003] - Holdin' On [Arista #82876-50174-2]

The 'Queen' was still making contemporary music in 2003 with this cool neo/modern soul tune from her album 'So Damn Happy'.  

This would be her penultimate album with original material with only 'A Woman Falling Out Of Love' following it in 2011 other than live or covers albums.

Version Excursion - A Song For You (Leon Russell)

A few days ago I posted four different versions of Gladys Knight & The Pips classic 'Neither One Of Us' inspired by an 'amateur' YT version by Krystal Kleeer.  I've found another of her videos singing the Leon Russell classic song, 'A Song For You', made famous by Donny Hathaway, so I thought I'd post what I consider some of the best versions.

The song was written and recorded first by Leon Russell in 1970 on his self-titled debut album, as far as I can tell it was never released as a single in US but it was subsequently released later, generally as a B side, in Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

Donny Hathaway recorded it on his eponymous 1971 album (his second) and was released as a B side to 'Put Your Hand In The Hand' 45 on Atco the same year.

Well over 200 artists have covered the song in every decade since it's inception including many of the greats including Whitney Houston, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson, Lou Rawls, The Temptations, Peabo Bryson, Natalie Cole, Ann Nesby, Gerald Levert and pop artists such as Dusty Springfield, Amy Winehouse, Jack Jones, Lena Horne, Renee Geyer, Cher, Peggy Lee, The Carpenters, Simply Red.

Krystla Kleer Live 2019

Whitney Houston Live 1991

Recorded when she was still on top of her game.

H.E.R. Live 2019

H.E.R. means Having Everything Revealed - her real name is Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson and she was a child prodigy featuring on national TV aged 12.  She changed her performing name to H.E.R. in 2016. She is a fantastic singer, I just wish she would sing more soul rather than R&B!

Herbie Hancock Feat. Christina Aguilera Live 2005

Christina is another fantastic singer who suffers from the material that is released.  There are many clips on YT of her 'Sanging' real soul music e.g. Man's World, At Last, Somethings Got A Hold On Me and others.  I wish she'd release a 'proper' soul album as she's got a terrific voice on the right material.

Ray Charles 1993

I don't know when the video was recorded but it was released as a single in 1993 by Warner Bros., so assume that this may have been the video promo for it?

Aretha Franklin Live 2016

Probably not her best version of this as it was recorded in 2016 only two years before her death but worth watching as she was 74 when she performed this and probably not in the best of health.  For me, Aretha truly is, and fully deserves the title, 'The Queen of Soul'.

Nancy Wilson Live 1987

Nancy Wilson, one of the classiest jazz singers that ever lived, who had such a distinctive voice, performing at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1987. Another sad loss in 2018 along with Aretha.

Lalah Hathaway Live 2014

Donny Hathaway's daughter continuing his legacy.

Donny Hathaway Live 1980

The definitive version.

Luther Vandross - House Is Not A Home - his finest performance?

You've just got to love Luther.  Granted, he lost his way, or more likely was steered in the wrong direction by the record company, trying to cash in on MOR material to appeal to a wider audience.

How could anyone who purports to love soul music not like his rendition, of what essentially was a very MOR Bacharach & David song, which Luther turns into this masterpiece?  Originally recorded by Brook Benton, many think it's Dionne Warwick who recorded it the same year, in 1964, but let's face it, who paid any real attention to it until Luther's version on his debut album in 1981?  Would you believe that the last person to record it before him was Rex  Harrison!  There are no fewer than 177 versions registered on Second Hand Songs.

Here he is at Wembley, I am privileged to say I saw him and Anita Baker at Wembley in mid 80s on the same bill at Wembley when they were both at their peak ... what a night!  I can't remember the exact year, it must have been 86 or 87?, but I also saw them individually later Baker in 1988 and Vandross in 1989 again at Wembley. I don't know why I still have these tickets but not the one from earlier, probably mislaid them.

Two of the greatest soul singers that have ever lived, both now sadly departed, but they have left a legacy that will live on forever!

... and together: