My ex husband was John Belushi’s stunt double on The Blues Brothers; he did all the back handsprings down the church aisle among other stunts. and worked with John on other films. Anyway, I attended the wrap party held at a big sound stage at Universal. Aretha was there 🤗 🎶 and so where James Brown, Ray Charles, Cab Calloway and all the other musicians featured in that movie. and they all got up and played together with the Blues Brothers. It was one of the BEST musical experience of my life!
I met Aretha, because she was my favorite and she was such a doll! 💖✨💖
I say a Little Prayer for her! May she continue to rest in peace
Maybe on day - I do like the Allmans a lot but wondering what I could add that Long Live the ABB (a very fine Substack) couldn't do better. That being said, love the Fillmore East record of 1971 and the idea of the group conquering the New York scene.
Thanks for another great essay. I love the Queen and her entire discography, and I particularly liked what you said in the intro about her Columbia years, because that period of her career seldom gets the love and affection it deserves. All Night Long (from her debut album, if memory serves) and Unforgettable (from the tribute to Dinah) always send shivers down my spine.
I think there's a need for a good, critical essay looking at her years on Columbia. There's an episode of the great 'A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs' podcast that goes in-depth on it (listening to it was part of my research for my essay): https://500songs.com/podcast/episode-149-respect-by-aretha-franklin/. The stuff from that period that I've listened to is often very good but mostly because Franklin had the goods from the get go. One way or another, her exalted position as the Queen of Soul was not going to be denied, in my opinion.
I agree 100%. Interestingly, in her first two albums, some of the stuff she did was quite intimate (in terms of arrangement), not too dissimilar (at least, structure-wise) to the period you describe in Young, Gifted and Black. Funny to think how she somehow managed to circle back.
Thanks for this wonderful overview of what has always been my favorite Aretha album. The 3 album run of Live at Filmore West, Young, Gifted and Black and Amazing Grace is as perfect a run as any musician has ever gone on and for me at least Young, Gifted and Black is her absolute apex.
The album has all the interpretive magic, exuberance and power of Filmore West but dials back the slightly manic, edge of your seat energy in favor on an absolute control and maturity that is probably only possible in the studio. In particular the second half of Side 2 is just as perfect and ending to an album as I can imagine. From her understated composition First Snow in Kokomo into the huge building energy of Long and Winding Road and Didn't I to finishing with what is my absolute favorite song of the album, her pure gospel cover of Elton John's Border Song it's just such a strong finish that always leaves me feeling like my heart is trying to explode out of my chest. As an aside I'm astounded that I didn't realize until to day that Billy Preston is on both the Beatles original Long and Winding Road and Aretha's totally transformative cover.
Thanks for a great article and for sending me down a Youtube rabbit hole today that led me to this 1993 duet of Aretha and Elton John doing Border Song together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHhW-lWWxbo
To my shame, I must confess that beyond a few songs, I have never listened to the 'Amazing Grace' recordings. Why I haven't bought them, heaven knows. I will, at some point! One of the big holes in my collection.
I wish I could have fit in some thoughts on both 'First Snow in Kokomo' and her cover of 'Border Song.' Their omission in my essay is by no means a comment on how I feel about either recording (they are both excellent, especially 'Border Song').
Thanks for the kind comments. Very glad you liked the essay and that it inspired you to revisit some of the recordings.
I’m with you on taking a long time to find amazing grace. I’m not religious at all and the cultural traditions are also pretty far from my own experience so it was hard to find a way in. It finally clicked for me when I watched the live performance documentary of the album that came out a few years ago.
Another great post and tribute to the Queen of Soul. When I bought the remastered version of "Lady Soul" I was surprised to hear the unedited version of "Chain Of Fools". That long guitar prelude is a beautiful thing.
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My ex husband was John Belushi’s stunt double on The Blues Brothers; he did all the back handsprings down the church aisle among other stunts. and worked with John on other films. Anyway, I attended the wrap party held at a big sound stage at Universal. Aretha was there 🤗 🎶 and so where James Brown, Ray Charles, Cab Calloway and all the other musicians featured in that movie. and they all got up and played together with the Blues Brothers. It was one of the BEST musical experience of my life!
I met Aretha, because she was my favorite and she was such a doll! 💖✨💖
I say a Little Prayer for her! May she continue to rest in peace
Thanks for the kind words and sharing the memories - wish I could have been there too!
Wonderful charming memories indeed. I miss these artists! They were some of the best.
A great tribute. I say a little prayer that the Allman Brothers Band will get the LS treatment soon.
Maybe on day - I do like the Allmans a lot but wondering what I could add that Long Live the ABB (a very fine Substack) couldn't do better. That being said, love the Fillmore East record of 1971 and the idea of the group conquering the New York scene.
Fantastic as always, Robert. Surely Bernard Purdie deserves an essay of his own!
Thanks, William. Oh yes. Purdie is a force of nature and a major innovator.
Thanks for another great essay. I love the Queen and her entire discography, and I particularly liked what you said in the intro about her Columbia years, because that period of her career seldom gets the love and affection it deserves. All Night Long (from her debut album, if memory serves) and Unforgettable (from the tribute to Dinah) always send shivers down my spine.
I think there's a need for a good, critical essay looking at her years on Columbia. There's an episode of the great 'A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs' podcast that goes in-depth on it (listening to it was part of my research for my essay): https://500songs.com/podcast/episode-149-respect-by-aretha-franklin/. The stuff from that period that I've listened to is often very good but mostly because Franklin had the goods from the get go. One way or another, her exalted position as the Queen of Soul was not going to be denied, in my opinion.
I agree 100%. Interestingly, in her first two albums, some of the stuff she did was quite intimate (in terms of arrangement), not too dissimilar (at least, structure-wise) to the period you describe in Young, Gifted and Black. Funny to think how she somehow managed to circle back.
Thanks for this wonderful overview of what has always been my favorite Aretha album. The 3 album run of Live at Filmore West, Young, Gifted and Black and Amazing Grace is as perfect a run as any musician has ever gone on and for me at least Young, Gifted and Black is her absolute apex.
The album has all the interpretive magic, exuberance and power of Filmore West but dials back the slightly manic, edge of your seat energy in favor on an absolute control and maturity that is probably only possible in the studio. In particular the second half of Side 2 is just as perfect and ending to an album as I can imagine. From her understated composition First Snow in Kokomo into the huge building energy of Long and Winding Road and Didn't I to finishing with what is my absolute favorite song of the album, her pure gospel cover of Elton John's Border Song it's just such a strong finish that always leaves me feeling like my heart is trying to explode out of my chest. As an aside I'm astounded that I didn't realize until to day that Billy Preston is on both the Beatles original Long and Winding Road and Aretha's totally transformative cover.
Thanks for a great article and for sending me down a Youtube rabbit hole today that led me to this 1993 duet of Aretha and Elton John doing Border Song together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHhW-lWWxbo
To my shame, I must confess that beyond a few songs, I have never listened to the 'Amazing Grace' recordings. Why I haven't bought them, heaven knows. I will, at some point! One of the big holes in my collection.
I wish I could have fit in some thoughts on both 'First Snow in Kokomo' and her cover of 'Border Song.' Their omission in my essay is by no means a comment on how I feel about either recording (they are both excellent, especially 'Border Song').
Thanks for the kind comments. Very glad you liked the essay and that it inspired you to revisit some of the recordings.
I’m with you on taking a long time to find amazing grace. I’m not religious at all and the cultural traditions are also pretty far from my own experience so it was hard to find a way in. It finally clicked for me when I watched the live performance documentary of the album that came out a few years ago.
My excuse is more that I haven't simply bought it yet. I guess I'm saving the chance to discover the music for some future date.
Anytime she comes up in conversation, I have to mention this. I imagine you’ve seen it, but it is UN!BE!LEIVABLE!! https://youtu.be/k33sINjn9o0?si=n64iLbE1-H-IwTdW
I had not seen it but have now. Thank you for sharing!
It’s an unbelievable backstory as well!!!
Ah, to be a fly on the wall at any session that took place at FAME Studios. What a touching tribute to the undisputed queen.
Oh yeah - would have loved to have seen some of these great records made.
Another great post and tribute to the Queen of Soul. When I bought the remastered version of "Lady Soul" I was surprised to hear the unedited version of "Chain Of Fools". That long guitar prelude is a beautiful thing.
Yes it is and played by the great Joe South!
It is such a great intro. I guess radio time had something to do with it.
I think that's probably why they shortened it.
I'm unfamiliar with both but will check them out. I have no doubt Franklin hits it out of the park on both.