All great artists have their influences and inspiration. Aretha Franklin, named very recently as the Greatest Singer of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine, is no exception.
Her fans will be familiar with the songs on this collection, but maybe not these versions. Spanning the years 1948-1972, highlights include ‘Try A Little Tenderness’ by the influential Little Miss Cornshucks, ‘Drown In My Own Tears’ by Aretha’s hero Ray Charles, Helen Humes’ original of ‘Today I Sing The Blues’ and ‘Sit Down And Cry’ by unsung soul heroine Jean Wells.
1. Respect - OTIS REDDING
2. The House That Jack Built - THELMA JONES
3. Seesaw - DON COVAY & THE GOODTIMERS
4. Sit Down And Cry - JEAN WELLS
5. Don’t Play That Song (You Lied) - BEN E KING
6. Every Little Bit Hurts - BRENDA HOLLOWAY
7. Soulville - DINAH WASHINGTON
8. Pitiful - BIG MAYBELLE
9. Share Your Love With Me - BOBBY BLAND
10. Today I Sing The Blues - HELEN HUMES with BUCK CLAYTON’S ORCHESTRA
11. My Song - JOHNNY ACE with THE BEALE STREETERS
12. Try A Little Tenderness - LITTLE MISS CORNSHUCKS
13. I’m Wanderin’ - JACKIE WILSON
14. The River’s Invitation - PERCY MAYFIELD
15. Drown In My Own Tears - RAY CHARLES
16. The Dark End Of The Street - JAMES CARR
17. Prove It - MARY WHEELER
18. I’m In Love - WILSON PICKETT
19. Eight Days On The Road - HOWARD TATE
20. To Be Young, Gifted And Black - NINA SIMONE
21. Let Me In Your Life - BILL WITHERS
22. That’s The Way I Feel About Cha - BOBBY WOMACK
23. I Say A Little Prayer - DIONNE WARWICK
24. The Day Is Passed And Gone - CLARA WARD