The Great Aretha Franklin: The First 12 Sides

by Aretha Franklin

Overview

This overlooked classic, a compilation of Aretha Franklin's first singles, is often overshadowed by her parade of late-'60s hits on Atlantic. Only the rollicking first cut ("Won't Be Long") was chartbound, but on purely musical terms, this set stands up to anything she has done since. The program is solidly bluesy, and it's obvious that she didn't get ALL her schooling in Rev. C.L. Franklin's church. Her earliest gospel recordings were done there for Chess, but by 1960 she had come fully into her own, sounding every bit as sassy as Nina Simone or Esther Phillips, and playing that seductive blend of churchified soul pursued by future labelmate Ray Charles. This is simply superb, with top-notch accompaniment by R&B/jazz vets Ray Bryant, Al Sears, Warren Lucky, Milt Hinton, and more. ~ Myles Boisen, Roots & Rhythm Newsletter

Product Details

Release Date:	01/31/2025
Label:	Destination Moon
UPC:	8055515236347

Tracks

1. Won't Be Long
2. Over the Rainbow
3. Love Is the Only Thing
4. Sweet Lover
5. All Night Long
6. Who Needs You?
7. Right Now
8. Are You Sure
9. Maybe I'm a Fool
10. It Ain't Necessarily So
11. (Blue) By Myself
12. Today I Sing the Blues

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Aretha Franklin   Primary Artist
Ray Bryant Combo   Featured Artist
Ray Bryant   Featured Artist

Technical Credits

Billie Holiday   Composer
George Gershwin   Composer
Ira Gershwin   Composer
Homer Banks   Composer
Meredith Willson   Composer
J. Leslie McFarland   Composer
Curley Hamner   Composer
E.Y. "Yip" Harburg   Composer
Raymond Jackson   Composer
Sidney Wyche   Composer
Harold Arlen   Composer
Alan Silvestri   Composer
Curtis Lewis   Composer
J. Bailey   Composer