I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You

Ok

No much to say. Just Aretha.

An album that helped define soul.

Great vocals, of course. Not my go-to style as it's a bit outdated but obviously immensely talented. 6/10 (3/5)

It's Aretha. C'mon.

It’s Aretha… Respect!

Freakin fabulous

Respect.

This is the second Aretha album I got in a week, and I think I liked this one better. It was more vibey and soulful, whereas the other one was more about showcasing Aretha as a powerhouse vocalist. Her voice is always fantastic, but I feel like her performances on this album are a bit more controlled, which I like — sometimes too much melisma gets in the way of the message. This album has the iconic "Respect." I also really enjoyed her cover of "A Change Is Gonna Come" — I love Sam Cooke, but it was refreshing to hear the song performed by a woman. 5/5

This a 2 star album, dragged into respectablility, and occassionally brilliance, by Aretha. She is so badly let down by the band, the arrangements, the production and most of the song choices that it's amazing this is listenable. The producer obviously had no idea how to cope with her voice. It feels like the mic is somewhere in the band, next to the backing singers (who are way too loud and average). Aretha's voice is coming from somewhere over the other side of the stage/studio. I can see how this album marked her arrival. There's no denying she is something special. But compared to the amazing bands and production on Motown, this sounds amatuerish. She deserved better. Listen for her and you won't be disappointed. Tune the rest out if you can.

Brilliant voice, brilliant songs, properly stopped me in my tracks at points. The title track, A Change is Gonna Come and, of course, Respect were highlights. Four stars - although very very close to the full five!

Sublime soul songs, didn't expect anything else. 4.5*

Great voice. Great production. Backup singers showing sisterly love.

Probably not something I'd listen to often, but this is no doubt excellent.

LOVE. So good. Wow. Every song bangs.

Ain't my jam but good

Most songs are similar, soulful blues. First track Respect is a bit too familiar. A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke is very spiritual.

Love her voice and the album as a whole - 9/10

I was listening to this in the car and my dad said that Aretha Franklin was in the Blues Brothers movie so we watched that, and she had a whole musical number that’s pretty good. Too bad that was not on the album. The album itself is great as a whole, but outside of the first song not many stood out by themselves for me.

I listened to this a while ago in the car but forgot to rate, it was good but the ppl I was driving started inquiring about what my Spotify wrapped was last year and I was like uhh why the interrogation ahhhh. I listened to Lady Soul and this immediately after. But I listened to lady soul while walking so I think I internalized it more but I think it's better regardless. like a super high 3.

Great! I loved the hits I knew but the rest were good too. 8/10

5/10 - Respect is a classic song but the rest did not stun me. I was not the most locked in during this album, I was trying to problem solve while playing pokerogue and it was not going well.

Really really good. Super close to giving it a 5 but I don’t know how many of these songs I’ll actually listen to frequently. Album was a great listen though

Incredible vocals and very well produced. Great. 4.

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You was released well into Aretha's career, but this was the album that made her the Queen of Soul. With tracks like "Respect" and "I Never Loved a Man...," Aretha made pop classics of her soulful efforts - these songs top lists of the "biggest" and "most influential" in popular music. Aretha had one of the most potent voices to make popular music. Her rich, expressive sound made her one of the central figures of modern music.

Controversial take, but a lot of people put Aretha at the top of the list of the best singers, but I wouldn’t. Don’t get me wrong, she’s great and this album is fantastic, I just don’t think she’s the greatest of all time.

3.5

Don't really feel this one. Its got great songs and some of the best songs of the time as covers, but as an album it doesn't really strike me. Later Aretha albums are a bit more coherent and work better as albums, rather than singles collections.

very good songs

I have never listened to a full Aretha Franklin album. This is exciting!!! Looking at the songs on the album, I may have actually listened to this album -- just never in one listen. Holy cow every song is like a famous one every has heard somewhere sometime.

Excellent songwriting and one of the most timeless voices in music. Probably not the best to listen to right after a breakup

Absolutely outstanding voice and songs. One of the best all time singers in history. Much enjoyed

Aretha is an undeniable America treasure and an undeniable talent. So it's sort of discordant when I find myself swinging between elation for her splendid voice to deep annoyance with the persistent themes of being beholden to a man and their love. This discordance really comes to the fore when listening to Dr. Feelgood. Thankfully, her talent wins. Unfortunately, the battle is real and the winner isn't always as clear. Thankfully, I find myself swaying along to more songs than I cringe to. Overall, an important album that I really enjoyed. But I suspect that I'd save her work to pepper playlists and not necessarily listen to the whole album. This is one of the hardest albums to rate. A Change Is Gonna Come just destroyed me. 5 ⭐

A classic

"A Change is Gonna Come" The Queen of Soul.

hopeful, confident, romantic and god-conscious, this groovy soul album is straight from the heart, mind, and body. the first track is what most people know this album by, but the remaining tracks are something to listen to as well. a POWERFUL voice of a generation that nobody can match.

Respect is a timeless classic for a reason. But honestly, I didn't much enjoy the rest of the album.

Good Saturday morning listen. Respect, Do Right Woman, Do Right Man were my highlights

Respect is the sole thing keeping this album afloat imho

Already listened, beautiful vocals and soul at one of it's peaks

2nd Aretha album for me so far. Similar feeling for this one as with 'Lady Soul'. I much prefer the upbeat songs to the slower ones. I Also much prefer the cover songs to the original ones. A solid 2 stars.

Amazing soul (sometimes bluesy) trip. Masterpiece.

C'était bon.

Nothing standing out to me

For what it is, I think it’s pretty good, but I don’t listen to this kind of music regularly. She’s obviously very talented. It was a good listen.

Energetic

First song was okay

I don't know why I don't have any of her albums. This was wonderful.

great

It's easy to understand why Respect is so popular, but there are lots of songs on this album that are more enjoyable to listen to.

Sing a song Aretha

Would I listen to it again: yes Is it a no-skip album: yes Do I like it: yes

Belle voix, mais les morceaux n'accrochent pas.

Come on, its Aretha Franklin!

Voice, composition, on point

Respect banger rest okay

Such a classic voice!

Really liked this one a lot! What a voice!

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You" by Aretha Franklin was middle-of-the-road for me. Soul music has never truly resonated with me, so it's challenging to highlight specific aspects when nothing particularly stood out. However, it didn't irritate me either; it just didn't connect with me on a deeper level.

I mean, come on. It's Aretha. She has such a powerful voice, she has such a pretty voice... She has such a **voice**. It's what makes her music, more than anything else. Sure, you can argue the instrumental or the lyrics or the backing vocals aren't up to snuff, but as long as she's on her game vocally, it's hard to call it bad. And, hey, this album has "Respect"—it's one of those songs that by itself gives this album a 4, so good on the rest of the album for earning that extra star.

What a voice. And what an album.

Well, that’s a 5. I’ve only ever heard Respect off this album, and other than (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, I’m just not that deeply familiar with Aretha Franklin's work. I’m a moron for not being deeply familiar with her work – this album epitomizes soul, and it’s very easy to see why she was dubbed the Queen of it within her lifetime. Her vocals on this record are absolutely stunning, and the main highlight of an album that would not be anywhere as good without them. Even without the absolute monster of a track that is Respect, this album would absolutely stand up on its own, from the immediate power of her voice on Drown In My Own Tears all the way to the passion shown on A Change Is Gonna Come. Just a fabulous album; it’s a very well-deserved 5. A 10/10, even.

What a singer, what a voice. Incredible

Not my style, but she has a great voice and the songwriting is also quite fascinating. Lyrics are quite boring though.

Now *this* is music!

Classic, of course. A couple bossa and rocked up songs, but mostly straight forward soul. It gets a little same-y after a while, but it's a crime to slag off Aretha. 3.7

33min Excellent classic melodies Great voice Soulful Favorite songs: Good Times, A change is gonna come 72

Legendary Aretha Franklin. Fun to hear! This album took me by surprise and was way better than I'd expected. I half expected it to sound quite dated, like some of the 50s albums we've had on the list. And it did to some extent, but mostly I was surprised how it sounded relatively modern, and almost all songs on the album were quite good actually! I enjoyed listening to it back to back, and I never felt like I zoned out and just forgot about it. Every song took my attention even though I was working. Not a lot of albums do that!

Aretha Franklin really is one of the all time greats when it comes to Motown, soul and gospel. This collection of tracks really showcases her singing with instrumentation that really lets her voice shine. "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" is a favourite of mine. For some reason on a few tracks i think her vocals are to quiet in the mix. Anyway the big hitter is of course "Respect" which make Redding's creation Franklin's in the first few seconds. If you are in the mood for motown this is a great place to start. It's just all in all a very good album.

Not a fan yet

Fantastic album - always a great listen.

It is not as good as "Lady Soul" but still nice.

Aretha Franklin is such a queen! I'm surprised I had never listened to this album all the way through. Glad this list remedied that

greatness

Yes, the album may be old. But the music is great, just like Aretha's voice. There is music that almost only works in a historical context, for example because it was the impetus or expression of a new development, but sounds outdated and flat today. And there is music that was and is great. This album also belongs to this kind of music. 5/5

I never loved a man the way I love Aretha Franklin

Very good all the way through, I just didn’t quite love it enough to give it a 5

Fair play this pretty great stuff, banger after banger. Not something I’m going regularly whack out and play, but you can’t deny its greatness. Simpsons: Yes

She's a decent singer and there's a few big tunes, but it's not really my kind of music. Can't give more than 3 stars for something I'll never choose to listen to again.

She's got a brilliant voice, good backing singers, and it was a lovely short album. However the two biggest songs on the album are both covers of other people's work.Admittedly they're both good but it takes away a star unfortunately

Good stuff

Noice. It makes me wanna dance but I’m single. :,)

Beautiful

норм, но хватило бы и одного её альбома в списке

Ну она легенда. Это очень крутой альбом, все круто Алкоальбом: твое любимое пиво

Арета великая, а мы всё ещё жалуемся на составителей списка. И такое бывает, да.

I've Never Loved An Aretha Record The Way I Love This One.

True classic

Like others, I feel like Respect carries the album.

Great voice. Loved the album

Fantastic

Great album

She sure can sing.

Her voice is so powerful. I 100% see why she's still revered as one of the all-time greats because it's clear from one note why that is. Her piano playing on here really adds a lot too. It's cool to hear how central it is to the entire songs.

queen

Definitely a reason why Aretha is the Queen of Soul. R-E-S-P-E-C-T alone earned the albums 4 and everything else was icing on the cake.

Voiced by an angel and a torrent alike

Enjoyable listen. I saw Respect landed at the no. 1 spot of best songs of all time by Rolling Stone mag. Pretty massive achievement.

Everyone knows Aretha can belt. I'd like to shout out her lower softer voice, which is also very nice. Good well-rounded singer

Aretha is great, we know that, so I Never Loved A Man the Way I Love You was always going to deliver, and it does so from the first note of the first, most iconic song of hers, then doesn't let you down after. The only artist we've had so far who I'm confident has a better voice is Nina Simone but I'll be damned if she's not a very close second, she's the star of the show and the music is just along for the ride. Baby, Baby, Baby and Do Right Woman, Do Right Man deserve singling out for special praise too but this is another easy 5.

A level up from the other Aretha Franklin album we've had, which was really good. This is quality the whole way through, her voice is obviously fabulous, and the arrangements are designed to really focus attention on that. That comes with its downsides - there's nothing worth noting on here apart from her vocals - but the power and range she has overcomes that. I hesitate to give an album with so many covers a 5, but I can't not with this one.

Aretha's voice is powerful and resonates with you.

Such pain and passion cannot be overlooked.

Respect is the best song by quite a bit, even though the whole record is really good.

May not go on my rotation but was good for the listen. Will I listen to again: 5%

love, love, love!!!

Uuuh yesssss Aretha isch echt eifach die best. Denn vergisst mer amel wieder das sie die best isch und denn losisch und denn isch wieder klar Aso respect natürli scho mol grösste banger ever. Oooh drown in my own tears soo schön. Sie spielt klavier! So guet. Uii dr. Feelgood soo starch. Sie het de blues. Do right woman fangt so aa als wärs bitz langwiilig und nocher isch huuuere geil. De text au mega ume. I lieb.

WHAT YOU WANT brudi aretha afoch unantastbar. unangefochten. wexler production plus wie sie klavier spielt. fuck. drown in my own tears eig. ein vo mine liebste ray charles songs. aber jo aretha machten au ganz easy. BLÖDER WIIICHTIG. ihri schwöstere ade bgvs au uuultra wichtig title track meeeega energy bruudi. etz 3 tracks sfoch glost ohni schribe und s passt afoch allles alles zeme. bassline bi save me isch huere geil to cogbill fitzt ane. a change is gonna come isch soo schön mann wie sie ahfangt. füfi. füfi. füfi.

ARETHA es ischsoo warmi musiig ja i müed a change is gonna come hend ja alli coveret hahahah aber s tönt rechr andersch, coole cover ich villnz müed zum gross öppis schribe ABER 4I

The album is fabulous, "Baby, baby, baby" is my favorite track. Miss Aretha Franklin can do absolutely no wrong in my eyes. Rest in peace, Queen!

already listened

Respect is a classic. But nothing else here is really that interesting. And Respect is on here twice. Lol

A couple classics not a big fan of soul

Aretha is iconic and this album is a big reason why. Simply incredible.

What a voice!

This is such a great record, every song and vocal performance is fantastic.

I hate to tell you, because it’s already too late and you probably learned it at some point, but you’re better off without men, because they’re not gonna do any better and you’re value is greater than the chance that they will.

Oh my. Doesn’t get much better than this!

The only song I knew well was RESPECT but I came out loving the album as a whole.

Respect is a perfect opener - it’s often heralded as one of the best songs of all time and is somehow not overrated, and never feels overplayed no matter how regularly I hear it. The title track is insanely good as well, as is the closing track (an incredibly powerful cover of Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come). The rest of the album is very good, but it does drop a little bit outside of those three magnificent songs

Just an awesome voice. Amazing album.

Aretha’s voice is simply amazing. Many of these songs are covers (was quite common then), but her vocal style made her renditions her own. Is the sound engineering up to current standards? No. But the recordings are balanced, the instruments clear, and her amazing voice shines through it all. The pacing is decent. All around, it’s a pleasant album to listen to.

Very solid soul album.

noh tässäpä on amerikkalaisen populaarimusiikin huippu. neljä kymmenkunta vuotta levytettyä tuottoa kansan konsumerismin täyttämiseen... ja tähän jäi laadunkasvun päättöpiste..mitä vittua. toki suomalainem oululaine bändi blind channel ehkäpä rikkoipi katon läpi sirpaleiksi mutta ei niitä lasketa...alieneja... tuetävät vähän enemmäm audiokeinoista lun maanpäälliset, sekulaariset "musiikkiteoria" nörtit vittu... vähän enemmän tietää blind channel... osaavat hypnoosiin laittaa. ihan hulluksi.. pähkähullut kaduilla...hurraa hurraa...me olann, blind channel fanit.. respect

Awesome album, I enjoy the organ/churchy sound in a couple of her songs. Some great soul music.

Very great. Classic soul for the list works for me.

Respect

This album is a work of art straight from Aretha’s soul. Powerful! ❤️

If you like this style of music, you'll like this album.

It's one of the pivotal albums of her catalogue and the era. Godmother of soul.

Aretha is a great performer and Respect is an all time cover, but nearly nothing else in this entire album even interested me slightly compared to the first song. But, this isn't a 1, because Respect and Aretha had a singer is just that good

As I normally do everyday when I wake up, I reached for my iPad to check out my album of the day. Great! after a few duds an album I could get my teeth into. As I only have a bedside HomePod to listen to in my bedroom I decided that as this album is regarded so highly I would wait until I was up and able to listen on my Hifi combo. I then learnt that today was also a musical momentous day in that Taylor Swift had released her new album The Tortured Poets Department. Reviews of this indicated that this album was likely to make the 1001 list sometime in the future. So I began to listen to Swifty on my HomePod. Halfway through track one I gave my head a shake and wondered what I was doing. Was it not blasphemous to pick the Queen of Pop over the Queen of Soul? Yes I decided. I then snuggled down and blissfully spent a fantastic 30 minutes with Aretha. Now I’m not a soul music lover at all. Up to a few years ago I would have avoided it like the plague but I’ve always given it a little respect (geddit?) as half the world’s population cannot be wrong in liking soul. I’ve never listened to this album before but most of the tracks were familiar to me. You cannot help but be drawn in by Aretha’s outstanding vocals and the musicians behind her. I can understand why people can be reduced to tears and this album is full of tearjerkers. I was nearly there myself with the final track A Change Is Going To Come knowing the political and social message behind it. This album will not alter my opinion of soul music but will certainly make me more receptive of it. As for the Taylor Swift album, as she would probably admit herself it comes nowhere near the majesty of this album and is a sad reflection of the standard of today’s music. But maybe that is an unfair comparison but I can’t help making it (I later listened in full to the Swift new album and surprisingly I loved it. Another 4/5 when next edition of book is published) 2nd listen was a FLAC Tidal stream and is absolutely beautiful. A sonic delight. 4/5 19/4/24

Good shit

👑

Favourite track: I Never Loved a Man (the Way I Love You)

Such a great voice, and two absolute timeless classics in Respect and Do Right Woman, Do Right Man. That being said, the themes are very consistent love and heartbreak, basically singing about men. Also, soul isn’t my favorite genre so this is a very personal preference rating of a three from me.

Not my thing at all, but I can recognise that it is well executed.

First and foremost I'm a fan of Rock, Metal and heavy boundary pushing extreme music. I of course had heard Aretha and was familiar with what her deal is, but it wasn't until I heard this album about 10 years ago (I found it at a thrift store) and was pretty blown away by how great this is. Gospel/R&B/Soul from 1967. There's only a couple songs on here that are really memorable for me, but it's so enjoyable to listen to. Musically I like the way it sounds, but it doesn't really have any personality. Aretha is all the personality! I think the production is just fine. It also all feels like mid tempo burners. If the musicians pushed harder and the production punched harder this would be a 5/5. But, that's not what this was intended to be and it still an all time great!

Great album

Great album!

Easy 5!

While I'm not expert in this style of music, I can see why she was held in such high regard. Talent for days.

- one of the frickin voices of all time. - love mr feelgood (dr feelgood?) as an expression of female desire. ought to be more of that - late night album, summer deck

No music can be everyone's cup of tea. This kind of music is not mine. Nonetheless, this record should be a milestone in female R&B self-empowerment. That alone would make it valuable as a historical document. But for me, even though I rarely listen to this kind of music, this is also a great performance. The sheer energy that Aretha Franklin brings to the table, her power and presence make it a really, really enjoyable listen. She may not have been the best voice of all the "divas" (and I've always wondered why she was given such a derogatory label), but she was certainly the powerhouse.

C'est l'album d'une voix, en ce qu'elle est capable d'atteindre et de produire, mais aussi dans ce qu'elle s'affirme et devient l'outil d'émancipation d'une femme.

Aretha Franklin was not just the Queen of Soul, but one of the greatest vocalists of all time. This album bridges the gap between gospel and soul, showing that when all is said and done, love songs are the same no matter who you are singing them to. The music sensibly does not get in the way of Aretha’s voice, which soars with emotion on every song.

It's not exactly my cup of tea, but she has an incredible voice and the music is pleasant to listen to. Probably won't listen to it again willingly, but happy to have heard it at least once.

Amazing voice.

I mean, they don’t call her The Queen of Soul for nothing.

listened to whole thing. Aretha reminds me of my Grandma Kathy but black.

My mom played this album growing up. Hearing it again now I can appreciate it even more - she's a lyricist before her time.

I feel like music like this usually isn't really my thing, but that could also be just because I wasn't really in this kind of mood. One thing is for sure, Aretha Franklin was one hell of a singer.

RESPECT!

Does she have a good voice? Yes. Is Respect a classic? Yes. Does most of this not really do a lot for me? Also yes. I feel like this is an album that I should like more than I do. It's not bad, it just didn't thrill me.

What’s to say, other than it’s Aretha! The best album on this list so far.

My Queen.

Man that woman could sing. It's kind of funny how many versions of all of these songs I've heard over the years. From this record Respect gets all the attention but I've always just been kind of lukewarm on that one. My favorite is I Never Loved a Man, the guitar part in the middle always sounds so great. But this album starts super strong and then kind of drops off in the middle for me a little bit. For me personally, this isn't an album I would listen to all the time. It's great, sure, but it's just not my thing. I'd give it a 3.5/5 but will round up to 4 because it's Aretha and regardless of taste, that woman was amazing.

Partly heard before Saved 7/11 Top track: Respect

Great album start to finish!

I enjoyed the arrangements/Motown of it all, and of course Aretha's voice is awesome. But I struggle to stay interested for more than a song or two when the main draw is being wowed by the talents of the vocalist.

#51 This is a beautiful album that really reflects the youth in AF voice from her beginnings. Very easy to listen to and enjoyable

As usual Aretha Franklin does not disappointed. Jazzy chords and powerful singing that takes over. 4.5

Really really good! Plenty of good songs. Respect is amazing (obviously) and iconic. Aretha’s voice is heaven like. It’s probably all been said before. Excellent album!

Weird title for an album. Great voice, really good songs. Not much more to say.

I believe this was Aretha's first album with Atlantic after she moved from Columbia Records. Her cover of Otis Redding's Respect has become the new standard for that song. Even Redding admitted she had taken the song from him. There's nothing on this album as good as Respect, but this is still a solid R&B/Soul album by the Queen. I almost gave the album a 5 based on Respect alone.

Damn

Definitely a different style than I normally listen to, but the talent and the musicality is undeniable.

Its was great! I really liked it.

Respect would have been a better album title! This song topped the US charts the day I was born. Always my own personal trivia. Standouts: Respect, Don Right Woman, Save Me, A Change is Going to Come The entire album is well above average. I’ve been a fan of here because she just sings other people hits…l but This album is something special. 4/5

3/27/24. Aretha is the queen! Her soulful voice is unmatched and each song suits her perfectly.

nice , smoothing and energetic

Hors concours! Giving this one five stars feels wrong, The album is in a league of its own. This is Aretha's first classic album and it did nothing less than open up a brave new world of emotional possibility for pop music.

lundi matin mood

Nothing but top notch Soul

Vey influential.

Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1

Not bad 3.5 ish

4-4.5

It’s all about Aretha’s voice. Nothing else particularly earthshattering, but that’s enough to make it good.

Die Stimme des R&B, Respekt, der Song des Feminismus, der bis heute Geltung hat, dieses Album war Aretha Franklins Durchbruch.

Not really my bag, but good nonetheless.

-Good length -strong start -amazing voice -doesn’t flash me tho -lyrics kinda weak

"I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You" by Aretha Franklin - where do you even start with an album that not only redefined soul music but also captured the essence of an era? This isn’t just an album; it's a revelation, a soul-stirring journey led by the Queen of Soul herself. From the opening notes of "Respect," Aretha doesn't just perform; she commands, turning a simple demand for respect into a cultural anthem that resonates through the ages. Then there’s "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man," where her voice, rich with emotion and depth, navigates the complexities of love and respect with the ease of a master. Each track is a testament to her unparalleled ability to convey the deepest human emotions, transforming the personal into the universal. The production? Flawless. The emotion? Palpable. The impact? Immeasurable. Aretha’s voice, infused with power, grace, and vulnerability, elevates this album from merely great to transcendental. "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You" is not just an album; it’s an experience, a masterpiece painted with the hues of soul, gospel, and R&B. It's no exaggeration to say that this album is a cornerstone of American music, a beacon that shines brightly in the pantheon of the greatest recordings of all time. Five stars don’t seem enough for an album that continues to inspire and awe listeners with its raw power and beauty. This isn’t just music; it’s Aretha Franklin at her most sublime, and it doesn’t get better than this.

It's Aretha. She can sing anything and make it better. If Aretha don't get your left eye to jumpin' it's not Aretha's fault.

No notes. Perfection.

Great stuff

Classic. Dug her song's I recognized more.

The queen of Soul. Gospel inspired quality songs with a fabulous voice

Beautiful album.

Wonderful album with some truly beautiful moments

I'd listen to this album anytime. Amazing voice that carries you gently through the soulful melodies coupled with an empowering message. Great!

Rating: 6/10. Good not great. Not my taste, but has value. Might make it into rotation if I liked the genre. Genre: Soul, R&B Respect is a banger. Aretha Franklin has an amazing and powerful voice. The songs don't really resonate with me. The album is very vocal-centric, while to me the vocals of a song are of lower importance.

It’s easy to see why Aretha was the Queen of Soul. All pretty similar in sound, but if that sound is what you’re after, boy, it can’t be beat. Great version of A Change Is Gonna Come. Songs added to Spotify: 2

Oh boo, my review didn't get cached. Another great, this one with RESPECT, but not my kind of fave album.

I am loving this.

Such a powerful voice, and a great album that felt relatively short.

Such a beautiful and powerful album

Frankly, this is a classic!

Bangee

Love listening to this music, gotta put this in my rotation way more. She's classic and soulful.

theres the occasional good track but overall very boring. i recognize she has a great voice but her compositions dont interest me and i dont like her voice enough to be entertained. a change is gonna come is the best song here but it is significantly worse than sam cooke's version. very mediocre. 5/10

Low expectations but damn this album slaps

Such a good one wow. So thats ehy I hear this womans name all the time

I listen to this at least once a week because she is the greatest person to ever pick up a microphone except for maybe Etta James. It'll be hard to include an Aretha album here that isn't 5 stars for me lol

respect

soul music just hits

respect

Easy listen, and she can sing :) 3/5

Legendary voice

Got this on International Women's Day, which is a happy coincidence. Because what a voice! Obviously I was familiar with some of the tunes here - and have already had the Otis Redding album that the original of Respect is on and which also happens to have a version of Change if Gonna Come on as well. There are a couple of slightly weaker spots on the album, but on the whole Franklin's voice carries anything that isn't perfect. And what a voice. Iconic, and for that alone this is worth 5 stars. I played this four times on the day I got it and have played it more since. It's class.

An enduring classic.

Timeless. Holds up so well.

Thanks Mrs. Jemima:)

This album is really good. Her voice is amazing. It reminds me of the "Blues Brothers" style of blues and it's got a great feel. With that said, some of the songs are a bit played out sounding as, although the musicians do a great job, this style has been done and done again.

My mom loves her

+1 bara för Respect. Inte hela 5 stjärnor dock, svänger lite för mycket i vilka låtar jag tyckte om och inte.

Really fun listen. The soul sound and piano on this is so good.

gotta r-e-s-p-e-c-t it.

Vet inte om jag någonsin lyssnat på Aretha Franklin. Men vet ju definitivt vem det är. 2 / 5

WOWSERS. Aretha Franklin is absolutely the queen of soul and it is easy to see how her voice has greatly influenced many vocalists today. I loved listening to this album, her extremely expressive and passionate musical power and interpretations really make this album fantastique to listen to. The background singers and band were also killing it.

I dont like Queen

Aretha is always a classic

dobro je ovo bilo

Title track has awesome guitar solo. Baby, Baby, Baby is an incredibly sad and dark song.

That was great. Though I've always liked some Aretha songs, I've never listened to a full album. It's an easy 4, with a five being I'm buying it now.

Queen of Soul

Timeless, beautiful.

This was my first time listening to Aretha Franklin intentionally. The album itself was a well rounded album that carries a theme most women can relate to, loving an ungrateful man. The soul and power carried throughout the album makes it hard not to empathize with her frustration, and even recall some of your own experiences. Starting off with respect, and throwing in a diverse musical experience it was a decent album for casual listening. I rate it a 3/5 because although the music was well written and preformed, it was not memorable. It felt like something I have heard before and did not leave me wanting to relisten to a single song or to further explore her catalog.

It was good, I love albums with a theme especially when it's relevant to today. I don't know if it'll stick however.

Fun stuff.

I mean, what’s better than peak Aretha Franklin? Every major performer has aspired to recreating the power and magic of Respect. No one has ever come close and no one ever will. Since nothing further needs to be said about this masterpiece, I’d advise anyone who reads this review to please go watch Aretha Franklin’s funeral concert. It’s a who’s who of holy crap, all singing Aretha’s hits. And she organized this herself, before she passed. Cecily Tyson’s hat alone is worth the trouble. You’re welcome.

10/10

With classics like Respect, Good Time and A Change is Gonna Come I feel like 4 has to be the lowest I can give this

Love Aretha! Enjoyed listening to her belt out the songs on this album

Gear: Focal Clear Mix (Stereo): Respect! Musik: Wahnsinn (mit Fillern) Wertung: 🌹🌹🌹🌹(🌹)/5

Me ha gustado porque Aretha Franklin es muy guay, sobre todo la de Respect.

Leppoista soulia. Ei oikein se mun teekuppi, mutta Aretha Franklin on tärkeä laulaja historiassa. Parhaat: Respect, Good Times

Nice

Mad respect for the Queen. She slays!

La música popular tiene una de sus cumbres en la primera canción de este disco. "Respect" lo tiene todo: ritmo, melodía, alma (soul) y contenido. Es quizás la más hermosa reivindicación de los femenino con impulso feminista. La canción que da título al álbum es otro temazo, pero en realidad todo el disco en su conjunto es una obra de arte. Merecen ser mencionadas las versiones de "Drown in My Own Tears" de Ray Charles y "Good Times" y "A Change Is Gonna Come" de Sam Cooke, porque no sólo están a la altura de las grabaciones originales, sino que Franklin les da una nueva vida con su propia alma. y por supuesto merecen ser citadas las canciones propias de la reina del soul: "Don't Let Me Lose This Dream", "Baby, Baby, Baby", "Save Me" y "Dr. Feelgood (Love Is a Serious Business)".

3.5 no denying that Aretha has a great voice but besides “respect” there weren’t any other songs with staying power

Great voice. Not my cuppa. A whole album of strident soul wailing - however superb the delivery - isn't my thing. R-E-S-P-E-C-T is of course the highlight.

I’d never listened to an Aretha album despite being familiar with her hits. This isn’t my favorite type of music, but this was good! Everything about this album felt on point.

<3 Alles van Aretha is amazing.

4.5 stars. "Respect" cover is one of the best songs ever recorded, so powerful. Showed what soul could be. "Save Me" underrated, fun groove musically.

Aretha Franklin is THE voice. Soul, as a genre, has turned out some of the greatest artists of a generation: Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, countless others. One name stands head and shoulders above all, one who will almost certainly be remembered for her artistry long after her death. I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You is considered her seminal work and for good reason! Not a single loser on this one. You get the finest performances, the finest songs, the finest of everything Soul. If you wanted it any other way, then you probably didn't want Soul.

Such a powerful voice! I hadn't heard past "Respect" and woah she is unreal. "Soul Serenade" stuck out for sure. The whole album is strong and her voice and the backing instrumentals are insane, I liked some of the slower, ballad type songs such as "A Change Is Gonna Come" too!

I listen to several songs by Aretha and have them loaded on my mp3 player. Respect is one of them.

Soulmuziek zoals het bedoeld is. Aretha heeft echt een dijk van een stem, en Respect is een muzikale mijlpaal, die geflankeerd wordt door een sterk album zonder ook maar 1 slecht nummer.

Her voice is amazing and the popular track (Respect) is huge. The rest of the tracks still showcase her voice, but none of them had the same hook.

"Respect" is a strong 5, but the rest of the album doesn't quite reach that level.

People talking about this is 'just covers' need to give singing and delivery some serious credit. There's a reason "I Will Always Love You" and "Nothing Compares 2 U" are famous that have nothing to do with their original writers (no shade to Dolly or Prince.)

Classic song after classic song with simple, uncluttered arrangements that hi-light the melodies and of course the voice. 5 stars

I received this and Lady Soul three days apart. I think I preferred that one. Respect is an all timer. Her version of A Change Is Gonna Come is also great. It isn’t as great front to back and has a few key memorable songs.

88/100

Aretha at her finest - beautiful range, dulcet tones and great interpretations of the songs that weren't originally hers. Classic R&B doesn't get better than this.

Well composed but not my style

neat

An absolute classic soul album, sung by possibly the best to ever do it. Respect is a brilliant way to start and A Change is Gonna Come ends it very well. Not every song hits hard but the ones that do are sensational. Fav songs: - Respect - I Never Loved a Man - Baby, Baby, Baby - Dr. Feelgood - A Change is Gonna Come

For Respect 3.2

not a perfect album, but it's incredibly close. extremely powerful and iconic voice that carries the songs, some songs slowed down a little too much for my liking but this album is a testament to why everyone knows her name

I can’t give Aretha anything less than five.

What a great performer! These songs have burned themselves into the consciousness of a large part of the world.

I have somewhat of a cutoff when it comes to the year the music I listen to is released. Usually anything released before 1965 is entering dangerous territory. But there are many albums on this list that were released before then. So it has definitely helped me get out of my comfort zone. But I don’t generally love those albums. This album though? It’s pretty solid. Becoming aware of the power of Aretha Franklin was a joy. She stands out as one of the most commanding female vocalists of all time, and just one of the best vocalists in general. Look up any top female singers list, and she will be on it, and she will be high up the list. If she’s not, the list is objectively off. Her range and control of her own dynamics is incredible, and most of the noteworthy moments on this come solely from her. Her voice really is soul music personified. The instrumentals aren’t super crazy. Don’t expect anything very impressive or dense. They are mostly just there to give Aretha something to sing over, and nothing else. The one thing I find to be consistent with albums from this time period is a lack of memorability. Like, this album is good, and I am able to recognize that. It’s just that I don’t know if I ever see myself coming back to any particular song from here, because I don’t remember what made them good the next day. I would probably have to be in a very particular mood to find myself listening to this, and I’m not even really sure what kind of mood that is. Rating: 6/10

soul jazz for my jazz soul

I'm not a huge fan of the genre but the singing is pretty impressive

For an album that's quite out of date, it's pretty good to listen to.

Thank God for Aretha Franklin. And thank God for Jerry Wexler who figured out how to use that mind-blowing talent that had overwhelmed the brain trust at Columbia, and who then convinced Aretha to give him and Atlantic a shot. You can hear them all pushing the boundaries in various directions; sometimes leaning back towards her Columbia sound and sometimes going for a straight Stax sound. They'd perfect the sound with the masterpieces of the next year. But this album is really special. Holy Macaroni.

How can you give the album that birthed a classic anything less?

Back to back Aretha! Another excellent album from the Queen of Soul. While I enjoyed Lady Soul more due to it's overall uptempo nature. This album is also incredible and further cements her status in pop culture history. Also starting out the album with Respect definitely let's you know that you are in for a banger.

Back to back Aretha albums? What a lucky man I am. Once again I can't compliment her vocals enough. So many vocalists today sound 'perfect' without casting a spell on me. It's like comparing an all white and grey modern 'open concept' home, devoid of any feeling yet looking great - not something you'd want to raise a family in. Ms Franklin however, is like a family cabin. Looks amazing and you can't wait to go back and visit again, a lifetime of feelings and memories contained within. Even if there is an imperfection, it's executed so well it becomes part of the art. Opening with 'Respect' and ending with 'A change is gonna come' is a feat few artists will ever be able to accomplish. While the middle might not've hit me as hard as Lady Soul, that's of little consequences to me as both of these albums are masterpieces.

mmmmmhmm

Outstanding

Its great, what can I say?

The queen of soul.

I never realized that this was Aretha's breakout album and she was kind of obscure before this. Anyway, I think it's illegal to not like this album so I'll just give it a 5 and move on. Everyone knows what the best song is so I shouldn't have to spell it out.

Het is ontzettend goed, maar ik hou er totaal niet van. Veel herhalingen en steeds luidere uithalen. De opname (met name van de stemmen) is ook wel aardig schel en dan word ik altijd een beetje boos zoals jullie inmiddels misschien weten. Daarnaast krijg je ook een handvol covers, wat ook niet per se heel knap is, ook al zingt ze ze technisch goed. Qua cijfer ontzettend lastig. Het zit qua irritatie niet op het niveau dat ik de afgelopen dagen vaker heb gehad en het is ook niet Mariah-niveau irritant, dus voor een 1 hoeft Aretha niet te vrezen. Ik denk dat het ergens tussen de 2 en 3 zit. Een 2 voor het album in z'n geheel en een 3 voor het hitje.

Not sure why spotify repeats 3 songs?

Can’t beat that opener. The rest is also very good but just not my thing. High 4.

Don't think I've ever said this, but this album is too short! What a set of songs delivered by a truly incredible vocalist. This is a 5++.

The voice is incredible. Excellent covers (including \"Respect\" the greatest cover of all time?) and great originals too. Love the title track, and what a killer band! The Queen of Soul has this title for a reason.

If you take yourself back in time, I can imagine putting this record on and letting it spin and finding enjoyment.

I am slightly disappointed, because I adore soul, but maybe it's just not the right day for this album? I loved loved loved a few tracks, been meh on most. I don't outright dislike any though, which is a change from yesterday's album. Favorite songs: Respect - who doesn't know this song, of course I love it Baby, Baby, Baby - THIS, this is that shit I like A Change is Gonna Come - profound lyrics, I got chills, great instrumental Almost there but not quite songs: Soul Serenade - a grower Do Right Woman, Do Right Man - feminist, call back to Respect I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) - a shrinker Good Times - a shrinker Least favorite songs: Don't Let Me Lose This Dream - elevator music Save Me - the arrangement is too busy, it gave me a headache

This is an album that you need to R-E-S-P-E-C-T. I've obviously heard the hits, but with Respect being the only big one on the album, and it being the opener, I was a bit worried but I shouldn't have been. Aretha really brings it home with her performance.

A beautiful album, obviously important for her breakthrough. Doesn't quite hit 5 because it's mainly a covers album and I have rules.

Love it

its alright not for me tho Significant 38/120 Liked 17/120 Added 4/120 NNN

Enjoyed this one by playing my VMP mono edition which was perfect on a cold, snowy Colorado February morning. This album could ride just on the strength of the well-known hits but it's so much more. Aretha in her prime with a dedicated rhythm section, and solid writing? What else is needed?

There's a reason she's voted the world's best singer.

You have to R.E.S.PE.C.T. that voice. This is an amazing album. The biggest shock to me in this album was the song Save Me, as it is the same guitar riff as Gloria by Van Morrison. I'm not sure who ripped of who, though it does raise some questions. Is the idea of spelling a word out (Respect / Gloria) also a borrowed idea? Idk and I don't have time to do the research right now.

"Respect" by itself would earn this album five stars. This is one of those times when it almost doesn't matter what the artist is singing or playing. Aretha is singing. That's pretty much enough.

Brilliant, should be on everyone's list.

Echt heel vet, zoveel nummers die ik ken. Qua originaliteit sowieso een 4. Ik kan het geen 5 geven omdat ik aan het einde van de dag hier niet uit mezelf naar zou luisteren, los van de top 2000.

Aretha Franklin - I Never loved a man the way I love you The Queen of Soul takes us all to church. Her voice is a religion! 5/5

Great album

It’s hard not to like Aretha. Soulful, powerful voice with great range. Can sing everything from gospel to blues to pop with equal sincerity.

Rounding up to a 4, because even though this won't make my regular rotation, Franklin's voice is just that good.

RESPECT to Aretha. Great album

Solid set of tracks, I am going to check out her other albums since I feel like they probably will fit my taste better. A good start to getting into Aretha