Aretha Franklin - 'The Atlantic Singles Collection 1967-1970'

 

'The Atlantic Singles Collection 1967-1970' is a 2CD set and features 34 singles which Aretha released during her first three years with Atlantic Records.

Arranged chronologically, the songs on the new collection originally appeared on six studio albums, 'I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You' from 1967, 'Aretha Arrives' also from 1967, 'Lady Soul' from 1968, 'Aretha Now' from 1968, 'Soul ’69', 'This Girl’s In Love With You' from 1970, and 'Spirits In The Dark' from 1970. The only exception is Franklin’s cover of Elton John’s “Border Song,” which was released as a single in 1970 and later appeared on her 1972 album 'Young, Gifted and Black'.  Many of Aretha's best-known songs, including the nine #1 R&B hits “I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You),” “Respect” (also a Pop #1), “Baby I Love You,” “Chain Of Fools,” “(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone,” “Think,” “Share Your Love With Me,” “Call Me” and “Don’t Play That Song.”

Several of the songs on this collection are cover versions that demonstrate Aretha’s exceptional skill at reinterpreting music and making songs her own.  Among the highlights are her versions of Sam Cooke’s “You Send Me,” The Band’s “The Weight,” The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby,” and Dionne Warwick’s “I Say A Little Prayer,” which became a Billboard Top 10 hit for Aretha in 1968.

This entire set is in mono, and mono at its finest with absolutely beautiful mastering.  Mono mixes of the 60s which, by definition, center everything, as opposed to relatively rudimentary early stereo mixes which crudely split instruments and vocals between left and right channels, often to the detriment of the rhythm section's impact.  On many of the Motown and Stax records, there's a night and day difference between the punchy mono mixes and their anemic stereo counterparts.  Aretha's voice just feels much more prominent here, out in front, not as buried, and very balanced.

This collection shows how the Queen of Soul earned her crown.

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