Aretha franklin cd in R&B, Hip Hop & Rap Music

"Aretha Live at Fillmore West" (12/14/1993) R&B Franklin, Aretha, Atlantic & Atco RemastersPersonnel: Aretha Franklin (vocals, electric piano); Ray Charles (vocals, electric piano); King Curtis (soprano & tenor saxophones); Billy Preston (organ). The Kingpins: Cornell Dupree (guitar); Truman Thomas (electric piano); Jerry Jemmott (bass); Bernard Purdie (drums); Pancho Morales (congas). The Memphis Horns: Andrew Love, Lou Collins (tenor saxophones); Jimmy Mitchell (baritone saxophone); Wayne Jackson, Roger Hopps (trumpets); Jack Hale (trombone). The Sweethearts Of Soul: Margaret Branch, Brenda Bryant, Pat Smith (background vocals). Recorded live at Fillmore West, San Francisco, California on February 5 and 7, 1971. Originally released on Atlantic (7205). Includes liner notes by David Nathan. Personnel: Aretha Franklin (vocals, piano, electric piano); Ray Charles (vocals, piano, electric piano); Pat Smith , Brenda Bryant, Margaret Branch (vocals, background vocals); Cornell Dupree (guitar); Arif Mardin (strings, synthesizer); King Curtis (saxophone, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Lou Collins, Andrew Love (saxophone, tenor saxophone); James Mitchell (saxophone); Jimmy Mitchell (baritone saxophone); Roger Hopps, Wayne Jackson (trumpet); Jack Hale (trombone); Truman Thomas (electric piano, keyboards); Billy Preston (organ, keyboards); Bernard "Pretty" Purdie (drums); Pancho Morales (congas, percussion); The Sweethearts of Soul (background vocals). Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot. Liner Note Author: David Nathan. Recording information: Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA (02/05/1971/02/07/1971). Photographer: Jim Marshall . When Aretha Franklin recorded 1971's LIVE AT FILLMORE WEST, she was backed by a group of veteran session musicians on a mix of popular interpretations along with some of her trademark numbers. Opening with Otis Redding's "Respect," Franklin made Stephen Stills' "Love The One You're With" her own with the help of Billy Preston's joyous organ playing while Bread's saccharine "Make It With You" was injected with a healthy shot of sexy sassiness. Aretha Franklin's underrated piano playing and a healthy display of her gospel roots make FILLMORE one of the more special recordings in Lady Soul's vast canon. Franklin's skill on the eighty-eights particularly shines on her swinging treatment of the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" and the jubilant "Don't Play That Song." Franklin also plays electric piano on "Dr. Feelgood," and from this point on she turns Bill Graham's hall into a Baptist church. Between the call-and-response of her background singers and King Curtis' skillful band-leading/saxophone playing, Franklin's high point came when she brought Ray Charles out for the reprise of the testimonial "Spirit In The Dark" followed by the uplifting "Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)." When Aretha Franklin recorded 1971's LIVE AT FILLMORE WEST, she was backed by a group of veteran session musicians on a mix that included interpretations of popular songs and some of her trademark numbers. Franklin makes Stephen Stills' "Love The One You're With" her own with the help of Billy Preston's joyous organ work, while Bread's saccharine "Make It With You" is injected with a healthy shot of sexy sassiness. Franklin's underrated piano playing and a healthy display of her gospel roots make FILLMORE a special recording in Lady Soul's vast canon. Franklin's skill on the eighty-eights particularly shines on her swinging treatment of the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" and the jubilant "Don't Play That Song." Franklin also plays electric piano on "Dr. Feelgood," and from this point on she turns Bill Graham's hall into a Baptist church. The call-and-response of her background singers and King Curtis' skillful band-leading/saxophone playing lead up to the high point where she brings Ray Charles out for the reprise of the testimonial "Spirit In The Dark" followed by the uplifting "Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)."

"I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You" (06/20/1995) R&B Franklin, Aretha, Atlantic & Atco RemastersPersonnel: Aretha Franklin (vocals, piano); Chips Moman, Jimmy Johnson (guitar); Charlie Chalmers, Joe Arnold (tenor saxophone); Willie Bridges (baritone saxophone); Melvin Lastie (trumpet, cornet); Ken Laxton, Ernie Royal (trumpet); David Hood (trombone); Spooner Oldham (electric piano, organ); Arif Mardin (vibraphone); Tommy Cogbill (bass); Gene Chrisman, Roger Hawkins (drums); Carolyn Franklin, Erma Franklin. Recorded at Atlantic Recording Studios, New York, New York on February 8, 14 & 15, 1967; Fame Recording Studios, Muscle Shoals, Alabama on January 24, 1967. Includes liner notes by David Nathan and Jerry Wexler. Personnel: Aretha Franklin (vocals, piano); Chips Moman, Jimmy Johnson (guitar); King Curtis, Charlie Chalmers (tenor saxophone); Willie Bridges (bass saxophone); Melvin Lastie (trumpet, cornet); Dewey "Spooner" Oldham (keyboards); Tommy Cogbill (bass); Gene Chrisman, Roger Hawkins (drums); Carolyn Franklin (background vocals). Recorded at Atlantic Recording Studios, New York on February 8th and 14th, 1967 and at Fame Recording Studios, Muscle Shoals, Alabama on January 24th, 1967. Includes original release liner notes by Jerry Wexler. Personnel: Aretha Franklin (vocals, piano); Chips Moman, Jimmy Johnson (guitar); King Curtis, Charles Chalmers (tenor saxophone); Willie Bridges (baritone saxophone); Melvin Lastie (trumpet, cornet); Dewey Oldham (keyboards); Gene Chrisman (drums); Carolyn Franklin (background vocals). After the end of Aretha Franklin's five year stint on Columbia Records (who tried marketing her as a jazz vocalist), she signed on with Atlantic Records. Produced by music biz veteran Jerry Wexler, Franklin's Atlantic debut found her flexing creative muscle and making music that forever altered the course of pop and soul. Accompanying herself on piano throughout, Franklin's powerful and passionate vocals garnered comparisons to Ray Charles, while her blend of R&B, gospel and jazz rightfully earned her the moniker "Queen Of Soul."

"Soul '69" (12/14/1993) R&B Franklin, Aretha, Atlantic & Atco RemastersPersonnel: Aretha Franklin (vocals, piano); Arif Mardin (arranger, conductor); Jimmy Johnson, Kenny Burrell (guitar); David Newman (flute, tenor saxophone); George Dorsey, Frank Wess (alto saxophone); Seldon Powell, King Curtis (tenor saxophone); Pepper Adams (baritone saxophone); Joe Newman, Snookie Young, Bernie Glow, Ernie Royal, Richard Williams (trumpet); Jimmy Cleveland, Benny Powell, Urbie Greene, Thomas Mitchell (trombone); Junior Mance (piano); Joe Zawinul (electric piano, organ); Spooner Oldham (organ); Jack Jennings (vibraphone); Jerry Jemmott, Tommy Cogbill, Ron Carter (bass); Grady Tate, Roger Hawkins, Bruno Carr (drums); Louie Goicdecha, Manuel Gonzales (percussion); Evelyn Greene, Wyline Ivy (background vocals). Recorded at Atlantic Recording Studios, New York, New York on April 17 & 18 and September 23-27, 1968. Originally released on Atlantic (8212). Includes liner notes by David Nathan. Personnel: Aretha Franklin (vocals, piano); Jimmy Johnson , Kenny Burrell (guitar); David "Fathead" Newman (flute, tenor saxophone); Frank Wess, George Dorsey (alto saxophone); King Curtis, Seldon Powell (tenor saxophone); Pepper Adams (baritone saxophone); Richard Gene Williams , Ernie Royal, Joe Newman , Snooky Young, Bernie Glow (trumpet); Jimmy Cleveland, Thomas Mitchell, Urbie Green, Benny Powell (trombone); Junior Mance (piano, keyboards); Joe Zawinul (electric piano, organ); Spooner Oldham (organ); Jack Jennings (vibraphone, percussion); Tommy Cogbill (electric bass); Grady Tate, Roger Hawkins, Bruno Carr (drums); Manuel Gonzales, Louie Goicdecha (percussion); Evelyn Greene, Wyline Ivy (background vocals). Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot. Liner Note Author: David Nathan. Recording information: Atlantic Recording Studios, New York, NY (04/17/1968-09/27/1968). Photographer: Jean-Pierre Leloir. Arranger: Arif Mardin. The title is a bit of a misnomer--this album, originally released in 1969, should have been called "Aretha's Jazz" or "The Queen of Soul Swings." Aretha's powerful, authoritative singing is consistent with her best '60s & early '70s work, but here she applies it to an interesting mix of '50s & '60s pop, soul/R&B and jazz standards. The beat tends to swing, sway and "cook" rather than snap, the horn section swells with rich, punchy unison passages rather than riffing or honking and the instrumental solos have a jazzy, thoughtful feel. The background vocals still have that gospel-chorus-derived sound, however, and Aretha's voice still soars to the heavens. She makes every song sound like it belongs to her alone--whether it's Glen Campbell's "Gentle On My Mind"or Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' "Tracks of My Tears." Each track is given a jazz-accented rendition with Aretha's voice redefining the tune's meaning. Not an album for those just getting familiar with the Queen of Soul's body of work, but it will show her fans a rarely-seen side of her talent.

"Platinum & Gold Collection" (05/06/2003) R&B Franklin, Aretha, AristaProducers include: Jerry Wexler, Narada Michael Walden, Luther Vandross, David A. Stewart, Lauryn Hill. Compilation producers: Rob Santos, Gretchen Brennison. Recorded between 1967 & 1986. Includes liner notes by Bill Dahl. This is part of Arista's Platinum & Gold Collection. Liner Note Authors: Michael Hill; Bill Dahl. Photographers: Ebet Roberts; Harry Langdon; Glenn A. Baker. Arrangers: Lauryn Hill; Narada Michael Walden. A brief 12-track collection of Aretha Franklin's hits from her Arista period (post-1981), Platinum & Gold Collection includes her three Top Ten hits of the era: "Freeway of Love," "Who's Zoomin' Who," and "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)." The compilers use their nine other selections wisely -- with "Jumpin' Jack Flash," "It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Never Gonna Be," and "A Rose Is Still a Rose" -- but at barely a half-hour, this is strictly a choice for the budget-minded record-buyer. ~ John Bush

"Aretha in Paris" (12/13/1994) R&B Franklin, Aretha, Atlantic & Atco RemastersPersonnel: Aretha Franklin (vocals, piano); Jerry Weaver (guitar); Miller Brisker, Donald "Buck" Waldon (tenor saxophone); David Squire (baritone saxophone); Donald Townes, Russell Conway, Ron Jackson, Little John Wilson (trumpet); Rene Pitts (trombone); Gary Illingworth (piano); Rodderick Hicks (bass); George Davidson (drums); Carolyn Franklin, Wyline Ivey, Charnessa Jones (background vocals). Recorded live at the Olympia Theatre, Paris, France on May 7, 1968. Originally released on Atlantic (8207). Includes liner notes by David Nathan. Personnel: Aretha Franklin (vocals, piano); Charnessa Jones, Carolyn Franklin (vocals, background vocals); Jerry Weaver (guitar); Donald Walden, Miller Brisker (tenor saxophone); Russell Conway, Ron Jackson (trumpet); Gary Illingworth (piano); George Davidson (drums). Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot. Recording information: Olympia Theatre, Paris, France (05/07/1968). Photographer: Jim Cummins. When Aretha Franklin overcame her fear of flying long enough to swing through Europe for a two-week tour, ARETHA IN PARIS was the brilliant by-product. This exquisite slice of Lady Soul's spectacular presence in a live setting came at a time when she was making her mark as the Queen Of Soul. Backed by a full orchestra and a trio of vocalists that included sister Carolyn, Franklin played a set consisting of material that was barely a year old. On Willie Nelson's "Night Life," the legendary singer can be heard preaching her sorrow to the crowd (she had temporarily separated with husband Ted White that night). Regardless of any pain she may have been going through that night, Franklin's energy never flags as she rips into energetic versions of Ray Charles' "Come Back Baby" and Otis Redding's "Respect." Most impressive are renditions of her own soul classics such as "Dr. Feelgood (Love Is A Serious Business)" and "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)," both which benefit from slow build-ups and spine-tingling finales.

"This Girl's in Love with You" (12/14/1993) R&B Franklin, Aretha, Atlantic & Atco RemastersPersonnel: Aretha Franklin (vocals, piano); Duane Allman (slide guitar, guitar); Eddie Hinton, Jimmy Johnson, Jerry Weaver (guitar); King Curtis (tenor saxophone); Barry Beckett (organ, electric piano); David Hood (bass); Roger Hawkins (drums); Cissy Houston, The Sweet Inspirations, Sylvia Shemwell, Brenda Bryant, Pat Lewis (background vocals). Producers: Jerry Wexler, Tom Dowd, Arif Mardin. Engineers: Ron Albert, Chuck Kirkpatrick, Tom Dowd, Jerome Gasper. Recorded at Atlantic Recording Studios, New York, New York on January 8 & 9 and October 9, 1969; Criteria Studios, Miami, Florida on October 6, 1969. Originally released on Atlantic (8248). Includes liner notes by David Nathan. Personnel: Aretha Franklin (vocals, piano); Duane Allman (guitar, slide guitar, steel guitar); Jimmy Johnson , Eddie Hinton, Jerry Weaver (guitar); King Curtis (tenor saxophone); Barry Beckett (electric piano, organ); Roger Hawkins (drums); Cissy Houston, Dee Dee Warwick, Pat Lewis, Sylvia Shemwell, The Sweet Inspirations, Brenda Bryant (background vocals). Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot. Liner Note Author: David Nathan. Recording information: Atlantic Recording Studios, New York, NY (01/08/1969-10/09/1969); Criteria Recording Studios, Miami, FL (01/08/1969-10/09/1969). Unknown Contributor Role: King Curtis. Arranger: Arif Mardin. Released in 1970, THIS GIRL'S IN LOVE WITH YOU captures Aretha still riding the arc of an extremely powerful, stratospherically successful period. As part of an effort to achieve greater crossover success, the Queen tackles various '60s hits from the Rock and Pop charts. Aretha hit with renditions of " "Let It Be" and "The Weight." The album's real highlights, though are her soulful cover of Bobby Bland's "Share Your Love With Me," the stirring "Dark End Of The Street" and the gut-wrenching, Gospel-tinged "Sit Down And Cry." The album's title track and Franklin's #1 hit "Call Me," while somewhat overwrought, still showcase the singer's incomparable voice, which, as always, soothes like a caress and smashes like a hammer. THIS GIRL'S IN LOVE WITH YOU, while not her strongest album, is still a noteworthy addition to Aretha's Atlantic discography.

"Greatest Hits (1980-1994)" (04/02/2001) R&B Franklin, Aretha, BMG (distributor)Personnel includes: Aretha Franklin (vocals, piano, keyboards); George Michael, Luther Vandross, Gloria Estefan, Bonnie Raitt, Sylvester, Michael McDonald, Lisa Fischer (vocals); Rick Iantosca (acoustic & electric guitars); Paul Jackson Jr., Dean Parks, Cornell Dupree, Corrado Rustici, Doc Powell (guitar); Marc Russo (alto saxophone); Kenny G. (tenor saxophone); Clarence Clemons (saxophone); Narada Michael Walden (piano, drums, percussion); Babyface (keyboards, programming); David Cole (keyboards, background vocals); Nat Adderley Jr., Burt Bacharach (keyboards); Nathan East (bass); Bernard Purdie (drums); Robert Clivilles, Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); L.A. Reid (programming); Cissy Houston (background vocals). GREATEST HITS (1980-1994) contains all of Aretha's hits since arriving at Arista records in 1980 as well as several new songs recorded for this release. "A Deeper Love" was nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in the 37th Annual Grammy Awards. This GREATEST HITS compilation brings together the Queen of Soul's singles from the 1989s and early '90s. Included are the hits "Freeway of Love" and "Who's Zooming Who?" The German edition comes with one bonus cut. This aptly named best-of album collects the creme de la creme of Lady Soul's post-Atlantic Records work, a fruitful period in which she re-invented herself as an all-purpose pop diva. Highlights include several star duets, among them "United Together," a classic Burt Bacharach ballad done with Michael McDonald, and the perky "Doctor's Orders," with Luther Vandross; as well as more urban fare such as the tell-it-like-it-is "Who's Zoomin' Who" and "Jump to It." There's also a show-stopping rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream," the big number from the musical LES MISERABLES, and the brilliant crossover smash "Freeway of Love," an almost-rocker which introduced Aretha to the MTV generation.