Aquarium Drunkard Presents: Aretha - 20
Miles Davis' "In A Silent Way", Dusty Springfield's "Dusty In Memphis", King Curtis' "Soul Serenade" and Aretha Franklin's 1971 lp, "Live At The Fillmore West". The four titles that make up the quartet of albums that have been acting as my de facto Sunday morning soundtrack over the past few weeks. But it's Aretha that this week's playlist focuses on, inspired by the live reading of "Spirit In The Dark" (accompanied by Ray Charles) found on the "Live At The Fillmore West" release. My original intent was to focus solely on the 2007 "Rare And Unreleased Recordings" compilation that shines a light on 35 demo, outtake and alternate versions recorded between 1966 and 1973 on Atlantic Records. But I then got pulled in revisiting the "Lady Soul" record and decided there was no way "Niki Hoeky" wasn't going to kick this thing off. And so it does.
This week's playlist highlights twenty Aretha chestnuts, from the monster hits to the less known, yet no less powerful, personal favorites. And, again, don't sleep on the aforementioned "Rare And Unreleased" collection. You'll thank me later.
ABOUT AQUARIUM DRUNKARD
Based in Los Angeles, Justin Gage is the founder of the long-running, eclectic music blog Aquarium Drunkard. In addition to the blog you can catch his weekly radio show, Fridays, on SIRIUS XMU satellite radio -- noon-2pm EST.
Gage is also the founder of Autumn Tone Records and works as a music consultant and supervisor.
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