A Chiseled-In-Stone Masterpiece

Like `nevermind' below, I too worry about my command of English in assigning this album its propers. Released March 10, 1967 (as Atlantic LP No. 8139), less than three months before the Beatles magnum opus, "I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You," is the equivalent in the soul music realm as "Sgt. Pepper" is in rock and roll. It's as simple as that. Hard to believe now, isn't it, that "Respect" waited in the album for single release (as Atlantic 2403) until April 16th?!

I confess that as a 13-year-old in 1967, I somehow missed the chart run of the title song, which came first. But "Respect" was simply a song NO ONE could ignore or dislike. It crossed all cultural, racial, gender and age barriers as a song urging one to confident self-assertion, and still does. The company's honchos must have been thrilled that early summer of 67 when "Respect," along with the Young Rascals "Groovin'," kept Atlantic releases owning the top of the pop chart for six consecutive weeks.

A startlingly brilliant artist had arrived and minted me as one more fan that spring as the trees blossomed. Aretha is going to be 62 this year and I'll be 50, but she can still count on my money. This is the album that started it all, and if it's possible that you have no Franklin material in your collection, this is the place you MUST start.

the Queen, indeed

So much has been written about this album that it's really tough to add anything new. And the term "classic" is thrown around so much these days that it's hard to put it into any useful perspective. But the bottom line is this: any serious fan of music should have a copy of this; it trascends all labels, all boundaries. It is a must have. And there is a reason Rolling Stone Magazone gives this 5 stars and calls this "the Best Soul Album Ever Recorded" ( it says so right on the cd package.) From the instantly recognizable sass and strut of "Respect", to the blues belter "Dr Feelgood", through the Bossa Nova-flavoured "Don't Let Me Lose This Dream", every song is a winner. Miss Franklin even had a hand in writing several of the tracks on this album, showing she is much more than just "the world's greatest soul singer." There are more classic songs on this album than you can shake a stick at. Just read the tracklisting and see for yourself. Franklin is backed by the Muscle Shoals house band on this album, although only one song ( the incredible title track ) was recorded entirely in the famous Alabama studio, and they really deliver the goods. As good as some of her mostly overlooked Columbia Records material was ( and a lot of it was very good, although it was more "adult" in that it was more jazz oriented ) her Atlantic debut has a passion - grit and soul- that had never before been captured on tape. And Franklin has a gift of interpretation ( only hinted at during her 5 years with Columbia Records, where she mostly sang big band, jazz, blues, soul and pop covers, as well as a small handfull of self-penned originals ) that is unequaled in the world of popular music. Her covers of Otis Redding's "Respect, of "Drown In My Own Tears" ( previously recorded by both Dinah Washington and by Ray Charles ) and of Sam Cooke's beautiful ballad "A Change Is Gonna Come" make you forget the orginals. The Reign Begins Here.

You Are Not A Critic Unless You Praise This Album!

I don't really know how to put this amazing classic into aspect,all I can say is it is amazing,and I'm actually kind of sure that's all that needs to be said.Aretha's voice,the catchy songs,the meaningful tracks,and,most importantly,the soul.This album is just breathtaking,the most breathtaking tracks being the singles,which is almost every single track on the album.This album contains classics such as the mega-hit "Respect",the vocal-filled title track,"Do Right Woman,Do Right Man"...and everything else,for that matter.I don't have a verdict for this album,but I clearly don't need one.Just buy it while you are still alive!