Reviews (page 12 of 13)
Powerful
Chill soul/blues album. Its interesting that it has multiple song twice on it and im not sure why.
I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You is an okay album, Aretha Franklin had a good voice, the music generally worked well alongside that voice and none of the songs were bad. The songs could sometimes be a bit boring to listen to but other than that, its an alright album Best Song: Respect Worst Song: Do Right Woman, Do Right Man
The great songs frustratingly end too quickly. Undoubtedly unfairly hurt by the “Seinfeld effect” for the most famous songs. Fast songs generally stronger than the slow ones. Track 2 big momentum killer. Enjoyable Favorites: Title Track Good Times Save me
Whoa what a voice. Songs vary in quality, but it’s a pretty consistent 60s soul vibe. A strong album though I’m not especially taken by it. Best song: Respect
Good, just not my type of music. I do really like Respect though, it is a fun song
obviously a great singer
Respect is a legendary song, but the rest of the album kind of flows past me without much thought. There's also no doubting the power of her voice, the songwriting and production just feel so dated, especially compared to other albums from the late 60s. Still a decent listen.
Super passionate soul singer, recognized Respect (of course)
Some solid tunes on here, would listen again
It's OK, I guess. To me it's kind of like that Ray Charles record only a decade newer. It's a foundation of later work but it's not as interesting as what came after.
Respect is a top tune, the rest were so-so
Favourites: • Respect
Liked this well enough. Basically the commitments soundtrack.
Good listen, let down by the original tracks
Good, I guess, but this kind of Soul music isn't really my syle. Even if it's by Aretha Franklin. 3/5
Standouts: Respect, A Change is Gonna Come, I Never Loved a Man, Do Right Woman Do Right Man. The album is solid. Just not something I would listen to often. 3.5/5
No notes
Was an ok album.
Aretha is one of the GOATS. This isn't music I would typically listen to, but it is still pretty good. I wouldn't have it on a playlist per se, but it is still enjoyable to listen to. She has got a really good voice that really carries a lot of her songs. A high 3/5
It starts off with a bang with her best song ever, which is of course, Respect and there’s no doubt that she is one of the all-time greatest female vocalist but the rest of the album just can’t compare to the lead track so the album doesn’t get above mediocre rating.
There was never any question in my mind that Aretha Franklin can sing. I'd heard "Respect" before listening to the album, of course, but had never heard any of the other songs. And while I definitely had respect for her (pun not intended), I'm not usually a big fan of singers who don't write their own songs. I was under the impression that she only sung covers. I was pleasantly surprised to find she had writing credits on quite a few of the songs. However, the album is still more about her voice than about the songs. I do find her tone a little shrill for my liking a lot of the time, but there's no denying she's a great, soulful singer who knows how to deliver her message convincingly. Of course, it's iconic how she took Otis Redding's "Respect," which was initially kinda misogynistic, and turned it into the ultimate female empowerment anthem. Other than that, I loved the self-written "Baby Baby Baby." You can really hear her pain when you listen to it. Favourite songs: Respect, Baby Baby Baby
Respect nie wystarczy na 4
No arguing with that voice or that Respect is one of the greatest songs ever recorded But nothing else on here touches that level But then, whatever could…
This is very good but honestly it doesn’t set my world on fire or anything
One hit to make the album, so not really a top album for me
Respect slaps. I didn’t notice the other songs but was excited when the album looped around and Respect came on again
although i prefer lady soul cause this ones a little less versatile its still a great collection of songs and you just cant go wrong with aretha
I can understand why she was popular. Just not for me. Very talented though.
3-4
A greatest hits of Aretha Franklin album would be great from start to finish. This album has a couple of songs that would definitely make it onto that, and also a lot of dime a dozen Fats Domino style rhythm and blues. None of it is bad, but not all of it is great. Favorite song: don't let me lose this dream
Aretha toca un soul/blues algo así. Suena parecido a Ray Charles, canta una barbaridad.
Not bad. Not my jam
BL: Aretha, oh Aretha. In my opinion Aretha has one of the best voices of all time, it’s indisputable. Have never listened to a project the whole way through though, so let’s see how it goes AL: this project just highlights how powerful of a voice Aretha had and how powerful she was as a women. While a lot of the songs I’d argue are filler material with someone like Aretha at the helm it still makes them incredibly listenable and just reminds us how she’s such a tour de force. And that Sam Cooke tribute at the end was beautiful. FT: “baby baby baby”, “a change is gonna come” 3/5
Aretha Franklin’s voice is unmistakable, true to her, or the singing character she adopted, and no recording featuring her voice can be less than listenable. Voice aside, much of this record is unremarkable. Most of the ballads blur in subject matter, sound and feel. Stand by your willy. There are standouts: “Save Me”’s opening distorted guitar made my ears twitch out of ballad-induced torpor. The circular riff reminds me that Krautrock came as much from dance music as it did from the Velvets. Next comes “A Change is Gonna Come”, which feels ironic as it is another slow ballad, though one of the better ones, waltzing hi-hats elevating it. “Respect” automatically raises any ranking a notch. Got to give a little. Least a three.
I respect her talent.
Somehow, this was my first time through an entire Aretha album. She's obviously got an amazing voice. I can't imagine what it must be like to be able to sing like that. And yet, at the same time, I found myself getting fatigued about halfway through. Unsure why exactly. She has an incredible dynamic range, which she employs to great effect. But her voice cuts through the mix in a way that kind of wore me down after a while. In small doses, she's incredible. Each song was well done. Great, even. But a whole album was a bit much.
Respect was #1 in the USA the day I was born. This is the first time I have heard the album. Respect is classic Aretha. The rest of the album is good. I've never been to crazy of a fan of her. 3/5
Voz inconfundible de soul. Auténtica voz indiscutible. No está mal el disco, pero te tiene que gustar ese estilo
Bra
Pretty good! It took me awhile to recognize Change is Gonna Come, and I really like this version that's kind of in between Sam Cooke and the Gits. Not much else to say; classic Aretha!
She can certainly sing. Mixing seemed very off and the singles were definitely boosted. Up and down.
Not my cuppa tea, but damn has she got a nice voice
Yeah fine. A couple of classics on there but certainly not an album I'd listen to again in a hurry.
Lovely album
Blues negro, muy piola para tener de fondo y Aretha Franklin canta muy bien. Respect muy buen tema obvio, los otros no me los acuerdo tanto pero son blues y estan buenos que se yo.
Good album
Perhaps greater for context rather than content
Aretha Franklin, one of the original divas with such a powerhouse voice. Who knew that Respect was not even two and a half minutes long?! It was surprising to learn that this album only spent 2 weeks at #1 in the overall Billboard charts, after what we know today as some of her most famous works. However listening to it, it is understandable as there is not really much else on the album that really holds a candle to the two released singles. Best: Respect Worst: Don't Let Me Lose This Dream
Fun but not my style
This starts off with Respect, which immediately makes it great. However, the rest of the album is low key crooning. Don't Let Me Lose This Dream is pretty good.
Sole classic Aretha on this one - her vocals are perfectly situated within the mix on top of some creative, funk-inspired instrumentals and backing vocals that make each track pop. A bit downtempo for my taste, but still great to hear the context around some all-time classics
bien ah 7/10
Listened Before? N Soulful and hard-hitting at the same time. She's a unique talent and this is her at the top of her game in the late 60s. I enjoyed it even though it's not really my style. Respect is an all time classic, though, and it's the song I chose to represent this one. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Respect
Kan ha funkat men ändå , lite snark
Classic sound. But I can’t highlight anything.
Si même Aretha se met à faire de la musique moyenne, je n'ai plus aucune foi en ce générateur.
Enjoyable, but this is not my jam.
I would vote it higher based on talent and objectivity, but this is my subjective ranking and I'm not likely to grab it off the shelf to put on. 3/5
Good but not for me, could be fire in the right mood
Very solid soul album. Respect is the biggest hit and the obvious highlight.
some really classic songs. maybe overplayed? IDK. Always a worry. but a fun one. yep. boring.
Beautiful voice, but soul can be dull
Ça part fort avec une chanson iconique, mais après ça garde pas assez l'énergie. Dommage!
I'd never just put this one but it wasn't bad.
These types of albums are the hardest for me to rate. There's no denying that it's good, she can sing, the songs are tight, etc. But I just don't like it. After a couple of songs I get bored.
What a voice. Music bit smooth though, 3 stars
Another musician I’m only vaguely familiar with, whereas perhaps I should really know more songs than I actually do. I’m hopeful and hesitant at the same time - R&B/soul are generally genres I don’t enjoy much. Songs I already know: Respect, A Change Is Gonna Come Favourite after listening: Respect, A Change Is Gonna Come Overall: 5/10 I feel like this is a score that people are going to disagree with, so let’s get one thing out of the way - music is very subjective, and no album is going to please everybody. Respect is still a classic and an enjoyable song, but the rest of the album just doesn’t do much for me. Aretha Franklin is an excellent singer, but vocals have always been the least important part of a good song to me. Take away the vocals, and it is frankly uninteresting music to my ears. I can respect (pardon the pun) the talent of Aretha Franklin, but it just isn’t music that clicks for me. I even went back and listened to this again in case I was wrong the first time round, but that actually made me lower the score from a 6 to a 5 as I got bored halfway through.
Te steriel, weinig tempowisselingen, geen emotionele connectie
One of the greatest voices ever. This is objectively a good album, but by my own rating system i think it’s a 3
Good album
R E S P E C T
Comments: Even tho the genre isn't my thing, it was a very enjoyable album nonetheless. First Listen?: Y Fav. Tracks: Soul Serenade, Respect, I Never Loved a Man Rating: 3/5
Kova mut kalpenee kyl Lady Soul:ille 3/5
Hyvä, muttei ihan niin kova kuin Lady Soul.
Voimakasta menoa! Erityisesti Respecthän on nyt klassikko. Jostain slowareista en sit niin välittänyt, joten taitaa mennä keskitielle 3/5
Ne bih si ovo pustio, ali je sasvim okej. Respect je klasik.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T taking care of T.C.B!
Pretty good, would like to delve into Aretha’s tunes more.
Great stuff from the queen of soul
hi aretha!
Absolute killer voice. Reasonable songs.
Respect is a classic for obvious reasons. Really good album, interesting blues guitar work on a couple tracks. Fantastic voice. Probably would have been a 5/5 record in '67 but there's definitely something not quite there in my opinion.
Quite nice for what it is
3, respect
It was good, Aretha was an amazing vocalist, but I don't listen to her music very much because I don't like it that much. I enjoy the singles a lot, but other than that I don't listen to her albums all too much. For me, there's a lot of bloat, and despite that bloat displaying incredible technical talent and ability, I'm just not that intrigued. Highlights: 1, 4, and 9.
Respect. Suena muy bien y se disfruta bastante. Hay algunas buenas canciones más pero todo está eclipsado desde el principio: "Don't Let Me Lose This Dream" o "Baby, baby, baby".
Great voice
Aretha has a nice voice. There are some notable songs like Respect. It's there for its historical presence. The sound and production aren't great. You could blame it on the time period. Some songs are just short and seem to have little importance. Highlights: Respect
Awesome voice, she really knows how to make these songs her own. Respect is a classic, I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) was also a standout for me.
Went in with high expectations that it didn't quite meet. Not all the songs were as good as RESPECT.
Nothing but a solid Aretha Franklin album.
As with the previous album, I wasn’t all that excited to play it but actually I enjoyed it. 3*
Yep Aretha had an amazing voice as evidenced on this collection. However it's one of those albums I own that doesn't quite hit the spot, so I rarely play it. I think it's maybe just a little too straightforward whereas my tastes are for something more exotic, zany and unusual. So maybe the problem is me, not the record.
One really good song but the rest of the album was a bid boring
enjoyed, pretty sure ive heard this album sampled
Yeah - good work here. Some classic soul.
I found this album a bit dull... Am I crazy? 6.5/10.
Ach ja war ganz nett hab ich leider nicht viel zu sagen zu aber hat gefreut zu hören
Kann irgendwie mit dieser Art Soul/Pop nicht allzu viel außerhalb von Filmen anfangen und selbst dann müssen es irgendwie die allergrößten Banger sein. Auf der ersten Hälfte des Albums dahingehend noch ein paar coole Nummern, aber besonders gegen Ende des Albums kommt einfach nichts mehr. Glaub so Popmusik fühlt den Zahn der Zeit am Stärksten plus die dauernde Idealisierung durch die Musikmedien entzweit das Sollen und Sein hier massivst.
Ill keep it 100, this albums is really good for what it is, but isnt meant for my tastes tbh. Very good casual listening though, definitely worth the time. Hear me out when I say this, her and Julian Casablancas have similar vocal vibes, like the fried vocals, compression-distortion-compression, but like its just how her voice naturally sounds. born by the river nice; good allusions, running like the river. Chords at middle of do right woman, do right man, are nice good album
Aretha, you're wonderful.
Tons of respect, even if Franklin’s not my preferred flavour of the blues.
Not my vibe, but wow, great voice.
Have never listened to this album but I do love Aretha Franklin's voice. I imagine the album would be very good.
7/10 very vibe. definetly enjoyed it. 60s rock crasy
Prima muziek van Aretha!
Lekker hor!
Aretha kan wel wat! Goeie sound.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
7/10
Great album. Feel good.
very beautiful and lovely while i made pancakes
Iconic singer with good music which, today, unfortunately doesn't command your attention very much
real rating 3.5
Iconic singer, but would I listen to the whole album again? Probably not.
A 23 year old walked into my office and asked if this was The Jackson 5. It made me so sad. Anyway, this was my first time hearing it all the way through and it was great.
Really only like her top song
Bit middle of the road - but some obvious classics.
I won't belabor my point that having the far-and-above best song on the album as the opener often drags down the rest of the listen (clearly none of these titans were making albums with little old me in mind), but it remains one of my bigger complaints about albums on this list. She has an absolutely commanding voice - I just wish there was more going on in these tracks Saved: Respect, I Never Loved A Man*
Saved Prior: None Off Rip: Respect, Drown In My Own Tears, I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: You're gonna look me dead in the face, Rolling Stone, and tell me this is the 13th greatest album of all time? OF ALL TIME????
This lady deserves her place in the annals of popular music fame, but whilst i can appreciate her story and her vocal strength, it's a style of music that doesn't get my pulse racing
8.5/10
All I’m asking is for a little respect
The lovely Aretha!
Objectively not bad, but not my preference in music.
Respect is a good song.
Such an amazing voice.
Classic
Is there a better voice than Aretha’s? Fifteen seconds into Respect I get the chills that last the rest of the song. She did it to me again in Save Me. How lucky am I that I get to experience Aretha’s supreme talent? I feel as though aerosolized soul is oozing out of the speakers, and I get to breathe it in, during A Change Is Gonna Come. Several songs are unnoteworthy. Tracks such as Don’t Let Me Lose This Dream; Dr. Feelgood; and Do Right Woman, Do Right Man could go. In the end as an album, there isn’t quite enough here to garner a higher rating that Aretha herself clearly deserves.
pretty cool, just a little repetitive in my opinion but I like the rhythm.
What a voice! Some classic songs performed with gusto.
Despite me having no doubts about the class of this album it’s too samey for me. I didn’t listen all the way
Incredible voice, good for listening to late at night or a lazy weekend morning
Not one of my favorite singers but a classic album for sure.
Beautiful soul music to set a relaxing mood, but it's not to my speed. Gotta give respect where R-E-S-P-ECT is deserved though!
I can tell this is great music but it's not really my jam. I find myself spacing out over lots of it.
Ich war nicht wirklich bei der Sache, fand es aber ganz gut.
never loved a man the way that i love nigel. good album this, couple of boring tracks but an enoyable listen.
Some really nice stuff but a bit screechy in places. I enjoyed it but unlike Nena Simone I won't re-visit.
Not my thing but one or two tracks were worth a listen.
Incrivelmente eh bem legal! Respect, obviamente eh mais conhecida que o Papa
Good jams, not my style but enjoyed the short 35 minute album.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Good I suppose. I bet 'Baby, Baby, Baby' is Robert Plant's favourite song from this. The creepy nonce.
Admittedly I wasn’t concentrating with headphones on.
7/10
I can appreciate the song writing and talent behind the album, but it just doesn't connect at all.
6
Feels so perfectly timeless.
not my taste but wonderful vocals
Not my favorite style of music
Eh, it was ok. Nice singing.
Strong album with strong voice, beautiful voice.
Hardeer than you thought
Me da webaaaa pero pos ni modo... hasta aquí mi reporte
Ni muy muy ni tan tan, pero cantaba cabrón la doña.
Respect * 3 would have made this even better
Great horns (and great voice obviously). Reminds me that I should watch the Muscle Shoals documentary. Lots of covers of songs by other big names, but I found myself preferring her originals. Sleeper hit: "Don't Let Me Lose This Dream"
Good
This record is a split between bangers and snoozers for me. I appreciate her greatly, though.
not bad but it not my jam so i dont really care for it
No lady soul but still great
This is certainly a 3.5. All the acclaimed elements I read about are there: I especially love the density of musical material in just over half an hour. Aretha had an iconic voice, of course. The sidemen sound fine. But something about the assemblage lacks the punch of other albums I've heard in the same vein. Yet I believe it's there. One to revisit.
vibe e atmosfera legais, vocais maravilhosos da aretha. os altos do albums estao mais pro final (apesar das 3 musicas repetidas no final q eu fiquei sem entender) principalmente em “a change is gonna come” que eu acho q ja ate ouvi na voz do sam cooke. dito isso, é mais um daqueles albums que se eu revisitar, vai ser mais pela vibe geral q ele passa, e nao por eu gostar das musicas em si notas 5,5
Good album. Such soulful and storytelling vocals.
I'm not denying Aretha’s genius, just sayin' the album as a whole doesn’t sustain the brilliance of its best moments. Looking at the consistency, flow, and depth across all tracks, it falls short of the masterpiece status it’s often given. 2/5 here doesn’t mean “bad” it just means there are a few transcendent highs surrounded by a lot of forgettable middles wrapped in a historically important but musically uneven package. I found it fairly repetitive and boring to be honest. Aretha’s greatness is unquestionable, but I Never Loved a Man feels more like a legendary single surrounded by a patchy album. I admire it — I just don’t love it. And sorry but I must join the small "great voice & love the crowd here, and appreciate the experience, but this is not an album I would look to add to my collection.
1. rezpect - 3 2. tearz - 2 3. man - 2 4. zoul - 3 5. dream - 1 6. baby - 1 7. feel - 3 8. good - 1 9. uuoman - 2 10. zave - 1 11. change - 3 12. rezpect - 3
Save Me and Good Times were good, everything else was kinda meh. Not sure I'm a fan.
Me gustaría que me gustara más pero no fui fan :(
Respect as the first track kicks it off at a high. Then it's almost just downwards after that. Found myself bobbing along all through it but not really connect to it in the sense I'm looking for. A bit lacking in diversity between the tracks. And, for me, Sam Cooks' original version of "A change is gonna come" can not be topped as a 10.
Feeling out of it while hacking. Not my usual but she's certainly talented.
🪻honestly just not a big fan of oldies.
La verdad que se me hace difícil poder puntuar este álbum porque no es mi estilo de música. Igual hay un par de canciones que me hacen querer volver el tiempo atrás y poder disfrutar de este tipo de música.
Some magazine ranked "Respect" number 1 on The Best Songs Ever chart. "Respect" is truly funky, and the lyrics are beautifully written, but it is definitely not in the top 10 best songs ever. The other songs are mehhhh.
One of the most iconic songs of all time, followed by 13 of the most middling songs of all time
5/10
One of those, “I know this is a classic & Aretha Franklin is beloved by everyone & considered a queen” … & yet… Not to be disR-E-S-P-E-C-Tful, but I don’t listen to soul, am personally not impressed by vocals alone & found this to be not very varied. So while I might “get it,” its still subjectively not for me.
Seems like this album is on the list simply because of Respect, especially since there is another Aretha Franklin album coming. I can’t respect that.
Vraiment pas mon style mais je connaissais la première musique
Aretha has a really nice voice! Also liked the slow tempo. But, it is not for me
I prefer the later material ... just cannot get into this bluesy stuff
I’m sorry to say this but I don’t particularly enjoy this style of singing and in most cases the music wasn’t exciting enough for me to overcome that. In saying that, obviously Respect sounded great, but to me that was also quite an outlier
The opening track is an undeniable classic, but all the “baby,” “man,” “woman,” lyrics in everything make the album start to feel like a word salad with few ingredients. It’s surprising to see how many different writers there are. Another case of a talented singer and uninspiring material. The music sounds too old to be 1967.
half boring
Aretha Franklin, the so-called Queen of Soul? Nah, I didn't cast my vote for her. My pick has always been Tina Turner. Take her album I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, it's mediocre at best. Sure, 'Respect' is a killer cover of Otis Redding's original and stands out as a classic. But everything else? Just decent filler, the kind of stuff that fades into background noise. I actually had to listen to the whole thing twice before I even noticed 'Respect' popping up for the third time.
Great album
Aretha has an incredible voice, obviously, but apart from Respect and A Change is Gonna Come I have a hard time separating the songs. They're all a bit samey to me, might be the arrangements or the production, I'm not sure.
Just not for me
It’s a given that Aretha Franklin is an icon that has a devastatingly gorgeous voice. However, I don’t feel the songs on this album are worthy of her talent. Many of them are traditionally Bluesy with little variation. I’ve listened to different albums by her but I find her to be more of a singles artist for me.
Fell flat and boring.
Didn't get much out of it but Respect was good.
Meh
Ok, didn't excite me.
Honestly, pretty boring
Could not connect with the music. The album feels out of place in this list.
i was busy and this (surprisingly) made no impression on me
what a powerhouse, but only the first song is popular and very good, the rest is ok
норм, но ничего особенного. не поняла зач в конце песни повторяются
Aretha has some pipes. Her stuff isn't something I revisit much though. The best tracks are two famous covers, the rest of the album is fairly bland. Top tracks: "Respect," "A Change is Gonna Come"
This wasn't terrible, but as I noted in my review of "Lady Soul", I prefer singing to screaming, and this has just a bit too much of the latter for my taste. And then there's the matter of covers (which we've since learned was just the way of things in the 60s). Having just heard Otis Redding's original, it's undeniably clear that Aretha's cover is the superior product (screaming aside). However, I definitely do prefer the Sam Cooke originals.
Me aburrio perdon :(
It was ok, we all have to live in a world where Urethra is almost universally adored. I think she is ok. Nice voice, but once the big songs had passed, not a lot to hold my attention.
Obviously well made, soulful. Not my thing.
Respect given where it’s due, but this just isn’t for me. No one can take that talent away from Aretha though. She’s an all time great. ⭐️⭐️
I must give the queen of soul her due RESPECT. The album opens with that track, probably her most famous song. She has an amazing voice but her music is just not my style
Ok
Aretha Franklin is great for about one song in a row.
I guess even Soul isn't safe from the 60s' Curse of Slop 💔 It's good when it sort of deviates into other genres, like the bossa nova-flavored Don't Let Me Lose This Dream. Outside of that, as soulful as it is, I can't say it does much for me. I like her voice though!
Respect was so good it was on here twice
Can’t deny how good of a singer she is but I can’t just get into the songs. Also replaying three of the songs at the end is kind of annoying.
Very underwhelming
So not my thing but liked some of the slow wistful ones.
I reviewed Aretha Franklin's Lady Soul a little over a year ago, and I thought it was fine. I think she's an incredibly talented singer, but that album just wasn't up my alley. However, I'm excited to give her another one of her albums a listen today, and I'm hoping that I'll enjoy this earlier effort more than I did Lady Soul. Unfortunately, I enjoyed this album less than I did Lady Soul. Aretha Franklin is an incredibly talented singer, but I think I just don’t enjoy her approach to soul music. I don’t know if it was the selection of songs she decided to record, or something else, but this album just didn’t pack a lot of punch for me. Musically, I didn’t find anything remarkable or enticing about this album, and I really didn’t care for the way it was mixed. I felt like the backing vocals took away from Aretha’s performance, and I wonder what the thought process was in having backing vocals when you have one the most talented signers of all-time leading the charge. However, there were a couple of positives on this album, aside from Aretha’s vocals. Her version of “Respect” is one of the best songs of the sixties, and she completely rips this song away from Otis Redding, and makes it her own anthem of black female empowerment. The same can almost be said about her rendition of “A Change Is Gonna Come.” Aretha doesn’t snatch this one away from Sam Cooke, but her version does a great job of merging past pain and present pain with muted optimism for a better future. Other than that, this album just didn’t do it for me, and it pains me to have so much criticism for an album from a legend. Aretha Franklin is a great artist, but I’d just rather hear her belt out her hits.
Aretha’s voice is flawless, but it leans too hard on gospel. For me, the churchy vibe drags it down and makes it uninteresting.
So that's where thatr Respect song comes from. Otherwise pretty unremarkable. Not my type of music.
Somehow I dislike this more than some of the others? I like the songs, but it’s just not something I could listen to on repeat. I find the instrumental aspect gets quite annoying after a while, her voice is great.
Other than the well known hit, this album falls flat for me. Aretha got pipes but the songs are too slow. Surprised this was her 10th release. I can "Respect" Franklin's talent but this album was not as strong as Lady Soul...1.58 stars.
Can't deny that Aretha sounds great throughout the whole album. Unfortunately its mostly a relic of a bygone era and genre. Outside of Respect it's primarily a handful of slowed down soul songs. In a vacuum they aren't bad, and might be perfect for a late night lounge act, but from a modern listen on a streaming service it just doesn't have the same impact. I understand the appeal at the time, but I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You is just another outdated album to listen to and then move on from. Respect to the artist and her work, but it's not something I will need to revisit. 1.74 stars
Vocals are great, but there isn't much else here besides it's historical significance.
what a queen. this isn’t really the kinda music i like to listen to but she hit that so hard
While I can appreciate the songs and lyrics and meaning, and the album as a whole, I just am not largely a fan of this type of music. The album was good and worth listening too, but I probably won't find myself revisiting it, or many of the songs.
She is a good singer, that's for sure. I've never really liked R&B stuff that much though
only really liked “Respect”
Meh, just some R and B Album.
good but not really my taste, 2-3/5 prob
Nothing really stood out honestly. Aside from the last song I suppose. Low 2/5.
Early albums that are all cuts, no sides, no throughline, make it hard to get to know an artist. It's easy to grasp that Arethra Franklin is a great singer of songs. It is maybe possible to understand that she is a great interpreter of songs – when she's not making big mistakes: A Change Is Gonna Come. But it is difficult to get any further, when each song stands staunchly by itself. What sets apart Sam Cooke's Live at the Harlem Square among early 60s soul album is that a live album has narrative – they're all part of the same performance and the performance of each song relates to every other performance. Even if the songs don't relate thematically, they connect temporally – all played in the same place, played by the same musicians, rather than jammed together from one studio session here and another studio day there. The problem doesn't go away. The Britney Spears album we already reviewed was a collection of stand-alones jostling for prominence on a single record. Arethra Franklin isn't like that, of course. I know she's an artist, rather than a studio and executive confection, but I don't know what kind of artist from this collection of songs. She sounds like a queen – how could anyone treat her like the subject of the title track does? She sounds so dignified – how does she not command unspoken RESPECT? Who is she? I need a fuller picture. 2 The opening three tracks of this album are so good that the album could never have been anything but lopsided. If the rest is too classy in execution (and production - love the horn sounds on Dr Feelgood) to deserve the tag ‘procedural’ - it is still mostly forgettable. Then the cover version of A Change is Gonna Come is bizarre and ill-judged. The minor lyrical changes aren’t half as damaging as the musical sanitising of the harmony; goofy dominant sevenths helping take the bitter edge off the verses and turning tragedy into Sunday brunch. The outro is needless showboating. A rotten way to close a record. 2/5
Listened to before: No Before this album I only knew the song respect. And while I knew it is considered a classic I never really enjoyed it. Not that I didn't like it, it just did not click with me. I could never say why that was. Guess what, for the album: It has the smae effect for me. Obviously Aretha Franklin is a fantastic singer, but somehow her music does not reach my feelings. Probably my fault, not hers. I enjoy some parts here, like the beginning of Drowning in my tears or the brass in Soul Serenade. But as a whole I get nothing out of this album. Things I can point out: The singing is a bit much for me, I like a more toned down approach. Also the recording could be more polished and clear. But still, it is probably just the style of music that is preventing me from liking this album. As sorry as I am: Rating 2.5
Not my cuppatea
Lots of screaming, the songs were boring
when you know the you couldnt get more than 3 interesting songs on the album so you just replay your singles again
:/ Demasiado largo, se me ha hecho un poco pesado
I feel like maybe my mood when listening to an album affects everything - or maybe this album is one I've heard too many times before and it just becomes background noises of the kind I would hear in a shop on high street or on american idol. So sorry to Aretha I just felt today when listening to it that it was all background noise.
Good music but this kinda vibe just appears rarely to me 2,5/5 💜
What can I say, I think its really boring Instrumentals are bland and interchangeable, yeah the singing and vocal work is good but it's not enough to carry a whole album (imo)
I can see the appeal but not for me
Obv respect is a classic and a hell of a leadoff song. I recognized a few others. Good album, wouldn’t be in my regular rotation
Good but sounds old
Just ok. Never liked her voice.
Não é mau, mas não é o meu estilo.
Kinda groovy, powerful vocals. But the music does not speak to me. Perhaps it's the age or genre but the musicality is not that interesting for me.
Obviously respect is a stone cold classic and i also like the title track but this just feels so old fashioned to me. and the backing vocals on most tracks are distracting, not adding much. doesn’t do much for me as an album 2/5
41 minute and 26 seconds of yelling! The only plus is the Chubbchubbs beginning, that's why there's second star.
She's good, but I don't find it interesting 2/5
I rate my albums based on many things, but mostly being its replayability. The album itself is highly replayable for those who are truly invested into soul (especially early soul) music. For me, personally, it is not my taste. Not to say it's bad. I went into this album without any knowledge of soul music, but came out with a new appreciation for it. "Respect" is one of the strongest starts to an album I've heard, following with the emotionally packed "Drown in my own tears". But, the following songs after "Drown in my own tears", without any good breaks, sound extremely same-y. If "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" were put in the early middle of the album, rather than the near end, it'd benefit the album a lot. Aretha pioneered the soul genre with this smash hit, and I'm glad to have been blessed with the opportunity to listen to it. Overall though, I think as the genre has evolved past what Aretha pioneered, there are many better choices for when you need a soul session. I do not rate solely on the importance an album had, which is why I'm giving it a 2/5. It's just not what I look for in music, and I would never replay it.
strong! but also quite a bit of schmaltzy...
Respect +2
Not my type of music at all. But that woman can sing. So it gets a couple starts for that
No argument that Aretha can sing and sing well. But with the exception of “Respect” I found these songs mostly bland. And they all kind of feel the same. It’s not awful but I was pretty bored while listening. 2.5/5
Just a little bit! Just a little bit! Even just a litle bit was a bit too much...
Mother of soul. Enough said.
I feel like I don’t really get this album. Aretha Franklin is undoubtedly a top vocalist, her talent is impressive and non-negociable. The songs, however, seem bland at best. Apart from Respect, of course. But then again I am not really a fan of soul, so who am I to judge? 2.4/5 just because of Aretha’s vocals.
i could listen to her sing all day but i actually couldn’t because the songs were lame
great voice, but not my music
BOOOOOOORING. Voice may be the main appeal but I don't like the phrasing and the melodies are boring. Mostly rhythmically and harmonically the same in every song. I have little to say about this really- just very boring. When you're doing loop music like this it helps a lot to have arrangements that contrast with the leading voice because of the lack of variation, which this doesn't do at all. Likw the backing vocals and guitars for example dont really counterpoint the rest of the instrumentation even if they have different rhythms. Blah. The Flamingos are better.
Il y a des albums, dans cette liste interminable, qui se présentent avec le poids de l'Histoire sur leurs sillons. Des disques qui, avant même que le diamant ne touche le vinyle, vous murmurent à l'oreille : "Attention, gamin, tu pénètres en terre sacrée." Et "I Never Loved A Man the Way I Love You" d'Aretha Franklin est de cette trempe, c'est plus qu'un album, c'est un putain de jalon culturel. Un acte de naissance, la pierre angulaire sur laquelle une partie de la musique populaire du 20ème siècle s'est construite. Le contexte, on le connaît. Aretha, jeune prodige à la voix d'or, se morfond chez Columbia qui essaie de la transformer en chanteuse de jazz proprette pour cocktails mondains. Et en 1966, le couperet tombe, la maison de disques la lâche. C'est alors que le flair de Jerry Wexler, ponte d'Atlantic, entre en jeu, il la signe et l'envoie direct à la source, au studio FAME de Muscle Shoals, en Alabama, pour l'entourer de la crème des musiciens du coin. La suite, c'est la légende, une alchimie se crée. La session donne naissance au titre éponyme, et même si une embrouille entre le mari d'Aretha et un des musiciens fout le bordel et force le rapatriement des sessions à New York, la fusée est lancée. Le résultat ? Cet album fut un tournant majeur dans sa carrière. Mené par deux titres devenus des hymnes planétaires, l'album s'est carapaté dans le Top 10 américain à la vitesse de la lumière. "Respect", cette reprise d'Otis Redding qu'elle s'est appropriée avec une telle force qu'elle en a fait un manifeste féministe et un cri de ralliement pour les droits civiques. Et bien sûr, la chanson-titre, complainte bluesy d'une puissance émotionnelle terrassante. D'un coup, la "Lady Soul" n'était plus une promesse, elle était LA reine. Elle a, sans conteste, révolutionné la soul et est devenue l'une des artistes les plus importantes de son temps. La messe est dite, l'analyse historique est faite, tout le monde est d'accord... C'est un chef-d'oeuvre. Alors pourquoi, mais POURQUOI, je me retrouve à devoir justifier un médiocre 2/5 ? Eh bien, asseyez-vous, parce que c'est là qu'on va arrêter de parler d'Histoire avec un grand H et qu'on va commencer à parler de musique avec mes oreilles de mec né en 1970. J'ai grandi avec le brouillard de Manchester, pas avec la chaleur de l'Alabama. Ma trinité à moi, c'était plutôt The Cure, The Smiths et The The. C'est le son qui a forgé mon ADN. Alors, quand je mets ce disque d'Aretha, j'entends la perfection, j'entends des musiciens au sommet de leur art, un groove implacable, une production chaude et enveloppante. Et puis j'entends la Voix, cette putain de voix. Une force de la nature, un miracle, un instrument capable de passer de la caresse la plus douce à la colère la plus rugissante en une fraction de seconde. Objectivement, c'est inattaquable, c'est un 5/5 technique, un 10/10 historique. Mais subjectivement, mes amis, qu'est-ce que je me fais chier. Pardonnez mon langage, mais il faut que ça sorte. Passés les deux-trois titres phares qui sont de toute façon gravés dans l'inconscient collectif, l'album s'installe dans un confort qui me laisse totalement de marbre. C'est de la soul de manuel, exécutée à la perfection, certes, mais sans la moindre aspérité, sans le moindre dérapage qui pourrait retenir mon attention. C'est un album qui semble avoir été conçu pour plaire au plus grand nombre, et il y est parvenu admirablement. Mais moi, le "plus grand nombre", ça a toujours eu tendance à me faire fuir. J'écoute "Drown in My Own Tears" ou "A Change Is Gonna Come" et je respecte la performance, je comprends l'émotion, mais je ne la ressens pas. Ça glisse sur moi. C'est comme regarder un film en noir et blanc acclamé par la critique : tu vois bien que c'est un chef-d'oeuvre, mais tu n'arrives pas à te sentir concerné. L'émotion est codifiée, les arrangements de cuivres sont attendus, le piano est élégant. C'est trop propre c'est trop américain, dans un sens qui m'est complètement étranger. La soul d'Aretha, même dans la douleur, porte en elle une sorte de foi, de résilience, une connexion au gospel qui me passe à dix mille pieds au-dessus de la tête. Moi, j'ai besoin de la crasse, j'ai besoin du doute, j'ai besoin de sentir que l'artiste est au bord du gouffre, pas qu'il va s'en sortir en chantant plus fort. C'est une question de culture, de sensibilité. Je suis un européen cynique, que voulez-vous. Alors voilà. I Never Loved A Man the Way I Love You est un album que je suis content d'avoir dans ma discothèque, au même titre qu'un livre d'histoire. Je le sortirai pour expliquer à quelqu'un ce qu'était la soul en 1967. Je lui dirai "écoute ça, c'est le sommet, la référence". Mais est-ce que je le mettrai un soir, seul, pour me laisser transporter ? Jamais de la vie. Je préfère encore me fader un bon vieux disque de Godflesh pour me rappeler que la vie, c'est avant tout du bruit et de la fureur. Un 2/5, pour le monument, pour la reine, pour le cours d'histoire. Mais pour l'émotion, je repasserai. Pardon, Majesté, ce n'est pas vous, c'est moi.
Correcto
It's fine, and Respect is a classic, and there is no doubting the voice ... but it's not my thing. I don't dislike it, but I don't like it either.
- der Hördurchgang war in Ordnung, nochmal würde ich es aber wohl nicht hören
I don't get it.
Respect is a timeless classic for a reason. But honestly, I didn't much enjoy the rest of the album.
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.
Nothing standing out to me
Belle voix, mais les morceaux n'accrochent pas.
A couple classics not a big fan 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
Vet inte om jag någonsin lyssnat på Aretha Franklin. Men vet ju definitivt vem det är. 2 / 5
Well composed but not my style
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.
its alright not for me tho Significant 38/120 Liked 17/120 Added 4/120 NNN
Kinda boring honestly
It’s fine. Some songs I inow
Aretha is no doubt talented. Fantastic voice, just not my music of choice.
2.3
It's good but just not for me
Not my type of music, but some good songs
Aretha I love you girl but this album needs a remaster bad
Respect. Other than that pretty mid cap
Jazzy album Vibrato type voice Catchy piano melodies Impressive vocal range Kind of repetitive and boring after a while Still got some bangers tho for sure tho at the start
not my kind of music
Greit detta og
2.5
5/10.The R-E-S-P-E-C-T album. Aretha has a great voice, but it's not enough to overcome the samey sound of this album for me. If you like the style and genre you will enjoy this, similar to The Strokes album Is This It, where you either love it or it's not for you. This wasn't for me.
Beautiful voice (I mean obviously) and overall a nice project to listen to. Not really something I'd willingly purchase for myself, but still pleasant to listen to her raw talent and this classic style
lol @ the absolutely gushing reviews here. Suuuuure guys, suuuuure. Realistically? She can sing but it's a covers album, painfully dated, and only has one song anyone recognises. It's a 2/5.
Dit is een heel goede zangers. Ik ga me wel storen aan de adlibs, maar desondanks goed te luisteren als je van heel rustige soul houdt. De paar uptempo nummers vind ik geweldig. **
She can sing. But it’s not a great album
mmmmmmmmmm
Klassikko
Another very classic album that I don’t really get. This is more a genre that I don’t like much (soul) than some of the others that I have rated, however. There’s just not really anything there that I feel strongly about.
I can’t pick any song out because it fell on a Friday and I’ve not been able to review for two days. There is a new album today, so I’m not listening again. No pun intended, respect what she does, but I was a bit bored listening to this one.
Listened to it on Friday. Can’t remember the songs really so I’m not doing the format. No Respect
Sept 19/20
Aretha has an amazing voice, hands down. But I'm not that into this album. I find it a bit boring.
Still a bit slow for me. If I'm longing for this feeling or this era, I would grab something else
a little old for my taste
Respect is a jam but otherwise there's not much else here that appeals to me. :(
average
I appreciate the musicality but it didn't really interest me.