Album of the Day

ARETHA LIVE AT FILLMORE WEST distills the best of the Queen of Soul’s March 1971 performances at the San Francisco venue down to a double album that dazzles from start to finish. At producer Jerry Wexler’s suggestion, King Curtis’ band backed Franklin on these dates; along with the sax star, the group included guitarist Cornell Dupree, organist Billy Preston and drummer Bernard Purdie. The song list offers nods to the rock fans in attendance (“Eleanor Rigby,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water”) as well as powerhouse versions of Aretha classics including “Respect,” “Dr. Feelgood” and “Spirit in the Dark” – the last being a duet with Ray Charles. Allmusic calls the Gold-certified, Top Ten ARETHA LIVE AT FILLMORE WEST “the most dramatic and deeply satisfying of Aretha Franklin's live recordings,” and we couldn’t agree more.