With her breathy vocal style and picture perfect tone on "Serenade," she gives a wonderfully nuanced style homage to Dinah Washington. (She also did a tribute album of her material in '64). Capturing the song's demure but breezy subtleties, around an elegant background of a jazz band augmented with lush R&B horns, "Dream" is the best non-Bacharach Bacharach ever done on record.
Aretha filters in luxurious gospel shouts into the song's schmaltz. The music, cocktail jazz arrangements blended in a pop-soul background, captures Burt's weird camp appeal without losing any of Aretha's signature style.
"Let The Good Times Roll" was an example Aretha could make you shake your booty as well as move your sprit. It's pure ear candy: a catchy melody, irresistible piano keys, million dollar bass guitar, a Motown style hook and Aretha at her most light-hearted. Kind of like Mary J. Blige's "Family Affair," but not as mind-numbingly dense (I love Mary, I just hate that song). A song about a normal party with any other singer, Aretha's chops make it the spot where you want to be. "Do Right Man" focuses on her gorgeous form; proof she could make a nuanced idiosyncratic reading of a ballad as well as she could rock a full tent R&B revival.
"Ain't No Way" is another pop drama musical landmark, but there is a different tone to it than the rest of her depression odes. Her other "my man done me wrong" epics on the album, contained a depressed resignation; as if she couldn't see living past tomorrow. "Way" is more of a gentle yet irritated and almost sardonic plea for her muse to handle his business . Written by Aretha's sister Carolyn, it contains the same massive depth of emotion as "Never Loved A Man" and "Drown" but it's sung as if she knows she's going to survive and in order for the man to be in her life he better straighten up his act; or she just might kick him to the curb.
"Dr. Feelgood"is rightly celebrated for it’s approach to female sexuality. It's a gorgeous tune, Aretha paying the eternal compliment to the brotha who knows how to handle his business in more ways than one. Like a blaxploitation sex goddess, she builds and builds the tension, blending religious ecstasy and sexual energy leading to that breathless bridge that couldn't have been any more perfect if it was written by heaven's team of songwriters.
Article comments
1 - Elvira Black
This is terrific, Robert.
2 - Michael J. West
A damn fine article about a damn fine album. One of my favorites (although, blasphemically, I never much cared for her version of "Respect"; I've always preferred Otis Redding's original).
That said, I have one tiny, tiny nit to pick:
Out of all the living soul geniuses, (her, Stevie, Sly, Prince)
James Brown doesn't count as a living soul genius?
3 - Robert lashley
Elvira: Thank you
Michael: I can dig it, and you're right. I should put the godfather at the end of that caption.
4 - Bryan
"I Never Loved A Man The Way That I Love You" would make a terrific title for a lesbian anthem.
5 - ART
OK LANG
6 - Paul Hill
I have been a fan of Aretha Franklin since she was 14. I heard her as a small boy on a crusade with her father and her voice changed my life. I watched her get pregnant at 14 and again only a few years later, marry and divorce Ted White, hoped she'd find happiness with Ken Cunningham, even Glenn Thurman, but I don't think anything will ever compensate for the early loss of her mother and the eternal desire to please her father. I watched her siblings die one by one and the ups and downs of each of her children and wondered how she could ever be so strong. I think one scripture encapsulates this marvelous woman, "Raise up a child in the way (she) is to go and when (she is)old, they will not depart from it." Her faith has kept her sober, strong and unbending. I've watched her go and come back and I'm glad she's back.
7 - lilkunta
What album had a pic of an abused Aretha? Ive never seen that!
Also, Ive read varous AF interviews & she says Ted was emotionally abusive. She detailed her time in Alabama hen me made them leave after just 1 song being recorded. Bue h was physically abusive as well?