The Queen of Soul is back. But this time she's not singing the same songs we all know and love (and still haven't tired of). Thanks to the work of Jerry Wexler, James Austin and Patrick Milligan of Rhino Entertainment Company, we're now able to hear sides of Aretha Franklin that we haven't before in Rare & Unreleased Recordings from the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soul.
This recently released two-disc compilation features an array of Franklin's varied musical predispositions: those of independence and strength, easygoing jazziness, gospel choir fervor, energetic funkiness and bluesy relaxation. And every track is a surprise.
Rare & Unreleased opens up with 3 demos of Franklin in her simplest, purest form -- just her and her piano, no background singers, no complicated rhythm section. It is a reunion with the Queen that is beautiful and breathtaking, slow and jazzy, artlessly seductive. Here we are given the opportunity to really witness the craftsmanship of her genius. At one point on disc one's "Sweet Bitter Love" we hear a recording of Franklin insisting on a re-do of an opening that already sounds flawless, only to hear her begin again with something surprisingly even more appealing, including a certain vocal glissando that sends chills down the spine.
Moving through the first disc, we are presented with two takes of "You're All I Need to Get By." On the first take, Franklin isn't exactly in sync with the syncopation, so she pauses for a moment and then resumes singing. It's likely you'll never hear such beautiful imperfections again. Unless, of course, you play these takes over. Hearing these rawer recordings is an experience because we're able to see the organic side of Franklin's talents, which are still more effortlessly burnished than those of many famous recording artists.
Rare & Unreleased features clean tracks, too, most of which never made the cut for the track lists of Franklin's released albums and all of which could put the work of many modern R&B artists to shame.
Indeed, the two discs that make up Rare & Unreleased not only provide us demonstrations of Franklin's unparalleled skills, but duly serve to illustrate the efforts of others who supported her talents. "The Fool on the Hill," written specifically for Franklin by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, is a prime example of such efforts. In addition, disc two's "Lean on Me" features a rhythm section made up of the esteemed musicians Donny Hathaway, Chucky Rainey, Bernard Purdie and Cornell Dupree -- all playing second string to the Franklin's powerful vocals.
Similarly, in "Ain't But the One," Franklin performs a duet with the illustrious Ray Charles, who struggles to match Franklin's vocal strength. We all know Franklin is amazingly skilled, but who would have thought an equally celebrated musical talent such as Ray Charles would have a hard time keeping up with her?
Rare & Unreleased is a demonstration of the vast scope of Franklin's strengths. It shows us her many faces as a musician and illustrates the work of those who wanted the world to be aware of her talents. This wonderfully assembled collection charms, dazzles and amazes -- not to mention leaves us asking how such brilliant pieces could go unnoticed for so long.
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