(Columbia/Legacy)
Aretha Franklin is, without a doubt, the Queen of Soul. But before she belted out "Respect" and defined soul music for Atlantic Records in the late 1960s, Aretha was a pop songstress for Columbia Records. During her seven year tenure at Columbia, Aretha sang everything from standards and show tunes to jazz and refined blues. The Early Years , the latest release in Columbia/Legacy's Rhythm and Soul Series, captures the best of Aretha's early career and highlights her incredible voice and inspired delivery.
Columbia Records' legendary John Hammond obviously recognized Aretha's unique talent when he signed the 19-year old in 1960. But as the fourteen tracks here suggest, Aretha was just too much for the conservative label to handle.
For example, Aretha puts her own indelible and unmistakable stamp on jazz vocalist Dinah Washington's "This Bitter Earth," "Drinking Again," "Nobody Knows How I Feel This Morning" and "Evil Gal Blues." And on "Laughing on the Outside," "Without the One You Love" and "God Bless the Child," Aretha transcends lush string arrangements and high-brow trappings with her emotionally-charged gospel vocals.
Aretha's ability to make the most of Columbia's offerings is also obvious on "Walk on By." She transforms Burt Bacharach's pop classic by adding her characteristic brand of sassiness and spirit in such a way that it easily outshines the more restrained Dionne Warwick version. Similarly, on "Skylark" and "Cry Like A Baby," it's obvious that Aretha was on the verge of bursting loose creatively and pouring forth something that would forever transform American music. And The Early Years is a tribute to the development of that incredible voice, emotion and power. TRACK LISTING: This Bitter Earth, Without The One You Love, Cry Like A Baby, Trouble in Mind, Muddy Water, Walk On By, Skylark, Drinking Again, Evil Gal Blues, Laughing On The Outside, God Bless The Child, Take A Look, Nobody Knows The Way I Feel This Morning, I Wonder (Where Are You Tonight)
