Funky Friday – Queen Of Soul
I really haven’t got anywhere near as much Aretha as I should – so any tip offs, starting points and must have recommendations would be welcome.
‘I Say A Little Prayer’
This has to be the most beltingest version of the Bacharach/David classic – where other readings drift dreamily along, Aretha’s sensual celebratery take swishes, swoops, swings and has me bending at the knee and bulging at the eye everytime. Absolutely stunning – Listen out for the Gospel style ‘call and response’ touches on the “forever and ever” section
Magic moments are…
The spiralling “do” – 1:31
The bellowing “EVER, YEAH ” – 1:46
The soaring “one” 2:10
‘I Say A Little Prayer’ was recorded for Aretha’s appearance on the Tom Jones Show ( the highlights of Tom’s sixties shows are available on DVD), where Tom and Aretha also tuck into a couple of dynamic duets and put the needles in the red with their super seismic lungbusting.
Tom Jones and Aretha Franklin – ‘See Saw’
And finally a few nuggets…
Aretha Franklin – You Keep Me Hanging On (outtake)
An extra special salute goes out to Vince at Fufu Stew for this track..
Tighten Up Your Tie, Button Up Your Jacket (Make It For The Door.mp3
Mondo Planet 
February 22, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Another fine Friday selection of tracks there Mr Mondo. ‘I say a little prayer’ is one of my very many favourite songs. There is just something about the way she sings that goes straight to your core. And she makes it all sound so effortless too.
But why haven’t you included her incredibly unnecessary version of Jumping Jack Flash with the delightful Keith Richards…
February 22, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Another fine Friday selection of tracks there Mr Mondo. ‘I say a little prayer’ is one of my very many favourite songs. There is just something about the way Aretha sings this that goes straight to your core. And she makes it all sound so effortless too.
But why haven’t you included her incredibly unnecessary version of Jumping Jack Flash with the delightful Keith Richards…
February 22, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Thanks cocktails, there were a couple Aretha leftovers/extras that didn’t make it to the final blog, one was the ‘Jumping Jack Flash’ track the other was this photo
February 22, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Now Modo, you know better… That gear in that photo beats what she wore when she did the VH-1 Divas show back 1n 2000. Fresh out the box, she came out wearing some crazy bloomers and God knows what else! My friend Mike would say that she needs a visit from the “fashion assassin”! Great post!
February 22, 2008 at 8:59 pm
It would be so easy to say something about ‘lungs’ and ‘busting’ – but I’m putting the handbrake on (for the moment)
February 22, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Getting back to the music as I think we should…
The Orthodoxy runs…’Aretha signed to CBS for years, they didn’t know what to do with her…blah blah…at Atlantic finally in blah blah hands of sympathetic blah…masterpieces…blah’
Clearly Atlantic era Aretha = genius BUT neglect you not early (CBS) Aretha. I have had this for years and bloody love it. So will you if you like Nina, Ella, Billie…
From the Atlantic period – do you know ‘First Snow In Kokomo’ from this? If not, shout and I will upload.
February 22, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Davey – shamefully I don’t know the first album, and only have a couple of tracks from the second one. So would be great to grab them if you could upload – thank you.
February 22, 2008 at 10:18 pm
I’ve been in a jazzy mood of late, so if it continues into next week I shall post some CBS Aretha.
‘Kokomo’ is here. Hope you like.
February 23, 2008 at 8:17 am
i still have a horrible feeling sometimes that she does a bit too much showing off but still that early years comp is essential
x
February 23, 2008 at 12:39 pm
I am positively reeling from that shocking photo that didn’t make the grade. Oh boy!
Thanks Davy H though for the excellent ‘First Snow In Kokomo’ which makes up for it.
February 23, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Davey – thanks for that gentle mellow melter
Ally
When it’s in celebration – thumbs up
When it’s just showing off – thumbs in ears.
Cocktails – have you tried any Nancy Wilson? Very tasty too. (and apologies for that jarring pic)
February 25, 2008 at 3:46 pm
PM: I’ve just been buying up cheap vinyl best offs and building up the tracks that way. “Young gifted and black” is patchy. I got the recent Atlantic outtakes comp which is good. Cracking version of my way, I don’t normally like this sort of thing but this is worth getting . As to her “showing off” it seems so effortless that it never comes over to me that way.
February 26, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Thanks for that BLTP I’ve picked up the outtakes comp – which is where ‘Set Me Free’ comes from. Vince at the always excellent Fu Fu Stew blog mailed me links to ‘Runnin’ Out Of Fools’ and ‘Take It Like You Give It’ which are both belters.