Columbia just didn’t know what to make of birthday girl Aretha Franklin’s talents as proven by the first three cuts of this album. Straight ahead pop, a little country twang then syrup with strings attached. All the while, Aretha is singing with the burning soul that even Columbia can’t cover up.
No matter the arrangements Aretha let us know who’s boss as she sang the hell out of the material she was given. Imagine you’ve been with a company for three years and you are asked to do a tribute album to star from the previous generation. Columbia was clueless.
Her 8th album and Columbia is finally recognizing Aretha for what she truly was, a Soul Sister. Still singing songs like “Swanee” and “Ol Man River” here but at least the producers are starting to get an idea of her possibilities. A year later she and Atlantic Records are off to the races making Aretha Franklin gems, one after another.