Sat Jun 12 2021
5
it's aretha bitch
This is a Random Album Generator.
One album a day.
From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
Lady Soul
Aretha Franklin
1968
- Album Summary
Lady Soul is the twelfth studio album by American singer Aretha Franklin released in early 1968, by Atlantic Records. In 2003 the TV network VH1 named Lady Soul the 41st greatest album of all time. In 2003 and 2012, it ranked at number 85 on Rolling Stone's list "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". It rose to number 75 in a 2020 reboot of the list. The album was rated the 29th best album of the 1960s by Pitchfork.
Reviews
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Date
Tue Oct 13 2020
5
A classic and nothing else needs to be said
Wed Jan 20 2021
5
Aretha’s energy is absolutely infectious on this album. Something that surprised me on this is the instrumentals. Some really great horns, piano, bass, drums, strings, etc. It sounds a little dated, as far as recording goes. I wonder what it sounds like on vinyl. Man, this is so good
Fri Nov 06 2020
5
Not something I'd usually seek out on my own but absolutely loved this album. Some really funky tracks in alongside the more soulful stuff I was more familiar with.
Mon Nov 16 2020
5
R&B was never the same after Aretha. Classic songs on this album still important today.
Tue Jan 19 2021
5
Finally! An objectively fantastic album! From start to finish, an auditory pleasure!
Wed Apr 14 2021
5
Chain of fools - excellent Money won’t change you - very good People get ready - excellent Niki hoeky - good (You make me feel like) a natural woman - amazing Sweet sweet baby - very good Good to me as I am to you - good Come back baby - excellent Groovin - very good Ain’t no way - excellent 9.5/10
Wed Jan 13 2021
5
Beautiful voice, timeless rhythm and production
Wed Mar 03 2021
5
Brilliant
Mon Feb 01 2021
5
Amazing, packed with soul and hits. These are lady singing songs that are fun to belt in the shower and around the house.
Fri May 28 2021
5
La grandeza artística que tienen algunas personas a veces es abrumadora y eso sucede con Aretha, vi que esté ya es un disco recopilatorio pero está tan bien mezclado que no tiene un pero; soul, funk, R&B, Gospel y su maravillosa voz son una mezcla perfecta
Sun Jun 13 2021
5
Yeah, this is again in my favorite eras and genres of music, so I am a big fan of this. Also, I was surprised to see that this was her 12th studio album! I didn’t realize she had recorded so many by this time!
Fri May 28 2021
5
Dato inútil: este disco lo conocí gracias a Selma Bouvier. Ok, vamos a lo importante. Existe el Soul.... y existe Aretha Franklin. Está en otro nivel propio y es de esas contadísimas cantantes que de verdad sí se ganaron a pulso esos títulos como "Reina del Soul" o ser nombradas una diva. Nadie puede cantar como ella, la potencia, la emoción, la cadencia. A Natural Woman es de esas canciones icónicas que de manera perfecta reflejan como fotografía musical perfecta toda una época y género. En realidad creo que no puedo ni tengo que decir mucho más... es un disco que dudo haya alguien que no pueda apreciar su calidad. Voz espectacular. Una banda de estudio maravillosa con un punto de funk perdido en detalles, una cantidad perfecta de metales sin exagerarlos. Coristas de fondo excelentes, también en su perfecta medida sin opacar pero con suficiente presencia. La música puro soul puro, algunas rápidas, algunas lentas, algunas modernas algunas que se les siente el fondo de su origen en gospel. No hay pero para este disco.
Mon May 17 2021
5
Wow! This is amazing. Not a style of music I'd usually seek out, but I really enjoyed it and may well revisit. Incredibly, powerful, melodic, rhythmic and soulful. Not a weak track on the album. It's difficult to imagine how R&B music (or any music for that matter) could be better than this. Objectively and subjectively this can't be anything other than a 5.
Wed May 19 2021
5
Nove. Os miúdos estão deitados. A sala já não tem desenhos espalhados, uma casa no campo, figuras de pauzinhos sem mãos dadas, pétalas do tamanho do sol. Ele já dorme, ou acorda, ou luta de olho semiaberto contra um loop de televendas que ninguém vai comprar. Os copos vão para a gaveta, os talheres para o alumínio, iluminado o frigorífico que me acolhe as marmitas, cada vez mais curtas. Amanhã começa-se cedo, em casas que não a minha. O sol já não me desperta há muito. A noite acolhe-me com alento, no barulho incessante dos camiões do lixo e o bruto arrancar do padeiro que não põe mudanças desde '97. Amanhã, como sempre, o mundo começa cedo. Abro a rolha, pop!, gulp gulp gulp da garrafa, não acorda ninguém. Um copo para o caminho. Um dia havemos de chegar. MotA: Chain of Fools (extended cut) "For five long years, I thought you were my man / But I found out, love, I'm just a link in your chain"
Tue Jun 22 2021
5
Before going into this I knew Aretha Franklin had a good voice but damn. This was great - loved every track, great mixture of blues and amazing vocals.
Tue Sep 21 2021
5
Kind of hard to hate Aretha, right? The more I listened, the more I realized I couldn't really find any flaws in it. Smooth soul and gospel backing a one-of-a-kind voice. Favorite tracks: "Money Won't Change You", "Since You've Been Gone", "Ain't No Way"
Fri Oct 08 2021
5
The OG Diva - and I mean that in the post positive sense of the term. Aretha is the shit. All "divas" since her (for better or worse - Tina, Whitney, Mariah, Adele, Beyonce, Lizzo) are emulating her - or trying. There may not be a better female (or male?) vocalist. But - let's also talk about the songs as a whole. I was really impressed with the arrangement of almost every track. These can be very simple, straight-forward songs - but they didn't settle for that. The horns, the strings, the little "kicks" and syncopations and chord structures - very well done. And - though I know it wasn't written for me - there may not be a prettier song than Natural Woman. I'm leaning 4 on this, but The Queen is getting a 5 out of respect (that's , r-e-s-p-e-c-t).
Fri Oct 08 2021
5
All I know are the singles. My first voyage into the deep cuts of Aretha World. Man, what a delight. Interesting to be reviewing this right after reviewing Pearl. Because the two have a lot of commonality and I'm sure Pearl never would have existed without the influence of Franklin (and this record's release just two years prior). The ladies are going "five stars" two reviews in a row. Only because there isn't an option for 6 stars.
Wed Dec 15 2021
5
Every song is a winner and Aretha smacks it out of the park, her vocals elevating already strong material even higher. I can’t find enough superlatives to describe just how good this album is. It’s close to, (if not) the perfect R&B/soul album.
Thu Jan 20 2022
5
Amazing as always. Aretha Franklin had one of the most powerful voices in popular music. Lady Soul contains two of her greatest hits, but is enjoyable and explosive throughout. Her level of vocal control is remarkable and she never over or under sings. The musical backing is well arranged and highlights her voice well.
Tue Mar 01 2022
5
This is a powerful album, crammed to the brim with classic originals and covers. Each track shows Aretha's ability to connect the listener to the emotion and the meaning buried deep down in the soul of every song. The tracks 'Good to Me as I Am to You' and 'Ain't No Way' are so incredibly good.
Tue Mar 15 2022
5
Another extraordinary recording by Lady Soul, a magnificent showcase for her stunning, soulful, expressive voice. Unmatched as a vocalist, blessed with a warm, comforting tone, this is an album to sink into and enjoy not just the singing but the exemplary backing band (a special nod to Tommy Cogbill whose bass work is incredible). Chain of Fools and You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman are recordings for the ages. Rest in Peace, Miss Franklin, we miss you.
Sat Mar 19 2022
5
This is a glorious album and is well deserving of a Five Star rating. Aretha near the peak of her powers. Her voice throughout is strong and powerful, yet she can ease back when required, as in a controlled rendering of Curtis Mayfield's 'People Get Ready'. There is a surprise hint of tape hiss, and as a result it brings a bit more warmth and heart to the performances.
Sun Jul 17 2022
5
If there is a album with a more famed and established list of songwriters I would like to put it head to head with this one and watch the world explode. James Brown and Curtis Mayfield alone puts this album in a separate category, but you also have The Vegases and Jerry Wexler. And of course not to mention the combination of Carole King and Gerry Goffin who are one of the best songwriting combinations of all time. And I won't even begin to list out the legendary list of artists that played on this album, as I already know this review is going to be substantially long. But damn, is that just as impressive if not more impressive. "Chain of Fools" is a fantastic opening track followed by a couple of solid fillers. Then you have the one and only "(You Make Me Feels Like) A Natural Woman" the fact that this is just the end of the A-Side is possibly the one disappointment of this album. It rightfully belongs as the culmination of a fantastic album (as Carole did on her fellow 5 star album Tapestry). "(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone" is a great open to the B-Side. But the groove of "Good to Me as I Am to You" speaks to me in a special way. What a work of art on the bass! "Groovin'" is exactly what it claims to be. "Ain't No Way" is the only song that I can understand putting at the end over "A Natural Woman". The only way to end an album other than a song that powerful is with a song this heartfelt and powerful in a completely different way. All in all this is an album that you could apply every positive adjective you could ever think of to and it would be accurate. A masterpiece of an album! Anybody that gives it lower than a 4 star rating should be declared incompetent. That being said it should absolutely be a 5 star album!
Mon Jun 12 2023
5
5 One of the only - or quite possibly - the only album on the list thus far to have given me goosebumps. Her voice, her energy, her star power - Rolling Stone has now twice named the woman the greatest singer of all-time, and it’s hard to argue with that after listening to this. The album is a constantly swinging pendulum of fun and beautiful, and Aretha manages to knock it out of the park each and every time. Chain of Fools and (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman are classics, but the song that really moved me here was People Get Ready, a rendition of a song by The Impressions that was being used as the unofficial anthem of the Civil Rights Movement. Listening to perhaps the greatest singer of all-time spread a message of unity, pride, and power so beautifully during one of the most important chapters in US history… goosebumps. Just goosebumps, man. While that was my favorite moment of my listening, truthfully, every song here is a highlight. I loved everything I heard and could probably go on about each, but the last thing I’ll touch on here is the closer, Ain’t No Way. One thing that’s stuck out to me about a lot of these older albums is a lack of finality, like you’re given a sudden ending once your collection of music runs out, but man, the song just seems to effectively sum up everything that makes the album and woman so iconic - the kind of closer that makes you take a step back once you realize it’s all over and go “Wow”. Unfortunately, you don’t quite get that if you’re listening on Spotify, as the application bundles four bonus tracks at the end, but in the fairest of exchanges, you get more Aretha, and even though they’re four tracks you’ve already heard, the extended version of Chain of Fools may very well be better than the original. Great listen from front to back. As someone who’s never claimed to be the biggest fan of soul music, I’m not sure how someone couldn’t like this - at that point I think you just hate music. I really didn’t set out to give this album a 5 when I started listening, but to give it anything lower would feel like a disservice. Iconic all around.
Mon Jun 12 2023
5
I went into listening to this album not knowing exactly what to expect. Obviously I'm familiar with Aretha's most popular songs, but I am not at all familiar with her extended discography. So, I was a little worried that there'd be some songs I vibed with and others not so much, but boy was I absolutely proven wrong and I'm so glad I was. There's not much for me to say beyond I loved every single song on this album. Like, every single one. I didn't know Chain of Fools by name, but recognized it immediately as soon as it started, and it started things off on a high note(I highly recommend the unedited bonus version that follows Ain't No Way) with everything that followed keeping that momentum. Aretha has an incredible voice that gives these songs appropriate power and feeling. To the point of giving me chills at times. Straight from my listening notes: "I am a sucker for a good pouring of the heart and I just love this. You deserve someone who makes you feel like A Natural Woman, Aretha. Yes." "YOU TELL 'EM ARETHA. THEY BETTER BE AS GOOD TO YOU AS YOU ARE TO THEM. Fuckin' love this one." "You're gonna catch me Groovin' with my baby on a sunday afternoon to this track for sure." I had more notes for each song, but you get the idea. I was on board the entire time. Not only will I re-visit, I think this entire album is going into my liked songs on Spotify and I eagerly await hearing them again. No doubt in my mind in giving this a 5.
Fri Jan 22 2021
4
gude
Sat May 01 2021
4
One of the most powerful voices in music. Just turn off the lights, stare at a wall and understand what music is all about
Sat Jun 05 2021
4
J'ai bien aimé cet album mais j'en veux à cette dame d'avoir popularisé les expressions "Où est le respect ?" et "C'est le cousin à qui encore ??"
Tue Jan 26 2021
3
Not my cup of tea but fantastic vocals
Mon May 17 2021
3
a massage for your inner ear
Tue May 31 2022
3
Probably not an intergalactic paedo
Mon Oct 05 2020
5
That voice.
Thu Oct 15 2020
5
Nothing better than listening to Soul while walking in the Woods.
Tue Oct 20 2020
5
Un 9;5
Tue Mar 16 2021
5
Excellent album full of power ballads.
Mon Mar 15 2021
5
All timer
Tue Feb 09 2021
5
She's amazing, such a great voice and an amazing artist.
Sat Jan 23 2021
5
Amazing.
Fri Jan 22 2021
5
Truly great soul album and you have to love Arethas voice.
Wed Jan 13 2021
5
Would definitely buy. Had never heard (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone.
Fri Feb 19 2021
5
Classic
Tue Mar 16 2021
5
It's hard not to love this. Aretha's voice is next level
Fri Jan 15 2021
5
Brilliant. Absolute classic
Sat Feb 06 2021
5
Wow, mycket bra. Väldigt souligt, men i alla dess olika stilar. Bra musik, och damn hon e bra Aretha. Ångrar lite att jag inte lyssnat mer tidigare, får bli ändring på!
Mon Jan 18 2021
5
she's a singles artist type to me usually but this is an excellent collection
Fri Jan 29 2021
5
i love her
Fri Jun 18 2021
5
Wow… really great album. It’s a shame songs from this area go by so quick. Favorite tracks: “People Get Ready,” A Natural Woman,” and “Chain of Fools”
Wed Apr 07 2021
5
What.a.voice.
Mon Mar 08 2021
5
Proper classic soul. That voice is incredible
Sat Feb 20 2021
5
Não é o meu rolê, mas tenho que reconhecer que é uma voz FODA cantando músicas TOP
Sun Jan 17 2021
5
Amazing album by Aretha Franklin, great discovery, I have heard one or two of her songs, but this album is incredible.
Mon Mar 08 2021
5
Una maravilla de principio a fin. Capaz de mejorar hasta el peor de los días.
Sat Feb 13 2021
5
Perfection. People get ready and you make me feel top versions.
Wed Mar 17 2021
5
Eeeeeyassssssss
Sat Jul 17 2021
5
Loved it!
Wed Apr 21 2021
5
The voice of soul, the music of soul, brilliant!
Wed Apr 07 2021
5
Fantastic!
Wed Mar 31 2021
5
know most of the songs , but first time hearing full album
Sat Apr 17 2021
5
Wow
Mon Jun 14 2021
5
Dang, what a voice. Great instrumentation as well, super tight band. Difficult to fault.
Tue Jun 22 2021
5
What a pleasure to listen to. This could've been longer and I still would've enjoyed it just as much. 4.5/5
Sat May 08 2021
5
Literal chills from cover to cover.
Thu May 06 2021
5
Classic. The queen.
Tue Jul 20 2021
5
Rating: 9/10 Best songs: Chain of fools, Money won't change you, People get ready, Niki Hoeky, A natural Woman, Since you've been gone
Wed May 19 2021
5
Potente poderoso portento vocal.
Sat Jul 03 2021
5
Fantastic album . Strong from beginning to end. 5 🌟
Mon Jun 07 2021
5
Great soul music from the queen of it. Some songs you've heard plenty but don't get tired of. But the album cuts are great also.
Mon Jul 12 2021
5
Awesome
Wed Sep 08 2021
5
She made me wanna make an apology for all the men that did her wrong.
Wed Sep 08 2021
5
a real classic
Thu Sep 09 2021
5
Loved it!!
Fri Sep 10 2021
5
Queen of jazz, blues and just great love ballads. 🥰you years ago and still rank you in my top 20 best female artists. “You make Feel, Sweet Baby, Chain of Fools are classics
Tue Sep 14 2021
5
13th September 2021 Listened in the car on the way to get my hair cut at jess's. Very timely given there is a biopic currently out about Aretha starring Tiffany haddish. Some absolute classics combined with some gorgeously soft and mellow songs. She's the OG queen.
Thu Sep 16 2021
5
Very good
Fri Sep 24 2021
5
Chain of Fools!
Fri Sep 24 2021
5
Aretha on the top of her game. Enough said
Sat Sep 25 2021
5
Everyone a banger
Tue Oct 12 2021
5
Good
Tue Oct 19 2021
5
Beautiful
Thu Oct 28 2021
5
Thoroughly enjoyed this. It's bluesy and soulful and Arethas voice is amazing.
Tue Nov 09 2021
5
#/5 -
Tue Nov 09 2021
5
I thoroughly enjoyed this album. So soulful. I enjoyed every minute of it. Especially (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone.
Fri Nov 12 2021
5
It's a 60's/70's Aretha Franklin album. You don't need to listen to it to know it will be a 5. But I did, and it is.
Sun Nov 14 2021
5
All hail Lady Soul. It's just that simple.
Sun Nov 14 2021
5
Gotta give it up
Mon Nov 22 2021
5
Amazing album ! Listened to it 3 times
Fri Nov 26 2021
5
Boggling amount of iconic soul classics packed into one relatively brief album
Sun Nov 28 2021
5
Absolutely fantastic!
Tue Nov 30 2021
5
Aretha is incredible. I was in a bad mood and cheated her out of a perfect score from the group when I only gave a 4 on the last album. It can't make up for it, but this is a 5 for sure. wall-to-wall winners on this one.
Tue Nov 30 2021
5
Didn’t actually listen to this, but it’s Aretha, so she gets a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tue Nov 30 2021
5
Loved to be able to just disappear into the music for a bit
Sun Dec 05 2021
5
Aretha Franklin is in that small number of iconic artists about whom whatever I might say or write feels redundant. In her case, it's for very good reason. What else can I say about the Queen of Soul? This is brilliant, beautiful, and I love it. That's plenty.
Mon Dec 06 2021
5
You got a problem with Aretha? Yeah? Then you have a problem with me. Don't mess with the Queen of Soul.
Wed Dec 15 2021
5
Unbeatable voice
Fri Dec 17 2021
5
This would get 5 stars for Natural Woman alone. My only complaint is it's TOO SHORT
Tue Dec 28 2021
5
Great Album!
Wed Dec 29 2021
5
A true American icon.
Mon Jan 03 2022
5
Awesome