Artist: Aretha Franklin Album: Aretha

Year: 1980
Duration: 42:08

A of Aretha Franklin's Album Aretha

Aretha Franklin is undoubtedly one of the most popular singers who will always be remembered for her remarkable contribution to the world of music. Franklin's music career spanned over five decades, and she had a significant influence on popular culture. One of her celebrated albums is the self-titled Aretha, which was released in 1986 and produced by Narada Michael Walden. This album saw her return to her roots in gospel music, blues, and jazz. In this post, I will review the album and highlight the best songs, most innovative parts, and provide some critical feedback.
The album Aretha contains ten tracks, eight of which were co-written by Franklin. The opening track, Jimmy Lee, is an upbeat song that sets the tone for the whole album. The song has a strong rhythmic beat and catchy chorus that will have you dancing in your chair. The second track, I Knew You Were Waiting for Me, is a duet with George Michael and was released as a single in early 1987. It quickly became a hit for both artists, reaching No.1 in several countries. This track has a catchy melody, upbeat rhythm, and harmonious vocals between Franklin and Michael.
One of my favorite tracks on the album is Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves. This song is a collaboration with Eurythmics co-founder and producer, Dave Stewart. The song became a feminist anthem, and the empowering lyrics about women's liberation and unity stood the test of time. The song has a bouncy tempo, with Franklin's powerful and soulful voice taking center stage. Another excellent track on the album is Jumpin' Jack Flash, which is a cover of the famous Rolling Stones track. This rendition adds extra funk and soulful flare to the original version, making it a must-listen for both Aretha and Rolling Stones fans.
Franklin's Aretha album also includes some slow ballads with intricate instrumentation, such as Another Night and If You Need My Love Tonight. In these tracks, Franklin's soulful and emotive voice is particularly prominent, accompanied by impressive jazz and instrumental solos.
While the album has several innovative parts, there were also some parts that came across as generic. For instance, Integrity and Ain't Nothin' Like The Real Thing felt too mainstream and failed to showcase Franklin's unbelievable vocal capabilities. Some of the tracks also lacked diversity and creativity in their production.
In summary, Aretha Franklin's Aretha album features a beautiful mix of classic and contemporary soul music, as well as jazz and gospel influences. The tracks, Jimmy Lee, Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves, and Jumpin' Jack Flash, stood out as highlights on the album. The quality of the instrumentation and Franklin's awe-inspiring vocals are evident in each track. However, some parts of the album were generic and lacked innovation, which affected the overall cohesion of the project. Despite that, the album is an excellent addition to any music lover's collection, and it's a testament to Aretha Franklin's enduring legacy in music.