Lady Soul

4,5/5

Enchantée Lady Soul, tu portes très bien ton nom, la voix est exceptionnelle, mais ce style de musique ne fait pas trop écho chez moi, malgré l'album qui est excellent avec les fulgurances d'Aretha

Now we are talking, this is some great Soul music, such a great voice

Hot buttered soul the way God himself intended.

Beautiful music

Beautiful powerful singing, raw band that sounds like all the tunes were recorded live. A masterclass in vocal technique.

4⭐️/5 07.10.2026

i got bored, it’s good just not the kind of genre i listen to

Хорошее!

Great classic soul album

Listened

Her voice is really just goated. It’s like Aretha Franklin was made in a lab to be the perfect soul singer.

8/10

Very good listen, everything was pleasant to the ears. A black lady never fails to deliver.

OG Jazz. Not in the mood for this rn

Her worst song is better than most other songs, certainly these days. Such a voice.

прикольно - тарантино вайбы. 4/5 для жанра

Simply wonderful and over in a too quick instance.

Que divina está señora dios mío

First Listen; 4; This is just a solid album from start to finish. Incredible singing, varied sounding songs while still maintaining a strong R&B/soul sound throughout. Like with a lot of other music I've found that I like, the songs are very dynamic. It feels like there's a push and pull, an attack and release, throughout each song and the album. Favorite Track: Chain of Fools

I wanted to be blown away by this one, and I really really like it, but I feel like there's something missing from it being a 5 for me. Maybe it's all the covers on the album. Amazing arrangements and vocals, obviously.

So good.

She really is Lady Soul.

Enjoyment: 9/10 Replayability: 8/10 Cohesion: 8/10 Flow/Pacing: 7/10 Artistic Merit: 10/10 Weighted Average: 8.55/10 Summary: Late-60s bops mixed with moving soul classics. EDIT: On relisten, I realize now how spoiled I was with the Queen of Soul as my first album. This is a tight-knit, funky album bursting with jams. Moved from a 3 to a 4. Liked Song(s): Chain of Fools, Niki Hoeky, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, Good to Me as I Am to You, Groovin', Ain't No Way Disliked Song(s): People Get Ready Recommend? Yes Heard Before? Partly

Very beautiful, maybe a little dated sounding but still quite nice 3.5

Can we all agree Groovin' is a terrible song? Not even Aretha could make it palatable. Would have been a perfect album without it. Still an outstanding listen.

How do you not feel that voice in your gut?

tight and groovy, she’s got a voice of an angel i mean come on

I expected to like this more but I still liked it.

Aretha Franklin was such a powerhouse vocalist, and this record shows that again and again and again. In 30 minutes, you get 10 top-notch songs that showcase her vocal and emotional range. My only criticism might be that it feels rather old fashioned for its time, given the incredible innovations happening in pop music in 1968. Actually, it's not so much a critique—not everything needs to be groundbreaking. It just is the thing that puts it in a different class from, say, "The White Album," "Bookends," or "Eli and the Thirteenth Confession".

Aretha really soars on this record, but overall I found it to be just very good and not amazing. No doubt that there are some excellent tracks on here. The two most notable songs, Chain of Fools and A Natural Woman, are both great, great songs and her voice sounds great on both of these. Sweet Sweet Baby was really cool as well, with everything about this track hitting. Come Back Baby reminded me of a Little Richard track, just had a bit of that very fast paced energy. Another excellent one. While her voice is great throughout, the last few songs on the record just didn't have much too them other than her. Keeps me from making this a 5 star. All the same, very, very good and a solid 4 star record.

Bah oui évidemment que ça doit figurer dans la liste Playlist pick : (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (titre de con en revanche)

better than bowie

So that's the song that girl sang for Mr Schnayblay in School of Rock all those years ago.

La verdad discazo MAL

One of the best soul albums ever

Classique

i like motown esque stuff

Not really something i listen to on daily basis but her vocals are amazing and the albhm is great in general. It would make me lock in as background music.

Smukt Soul Album fra Lady Soul (Aretha Franklin). Skal have hørt det noget mere. Aretha har en sindssygt smuk og ren stemme på dette album og fortjener i den grad tilnanvnet Lady Soul (Men hun er ikke den eneste). Også vildt smuk arrangement albummet igennem. Sætter også pris på det nydelige cover af Groovin'. Standouts: Chain of Fools, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone, Ain't No Way. Måske denne kan rykke op på 5 stjerner med tiden.

Oh yeah she IS Lady Soul.

Queen shit

Nice

Lady Soul is an absolut pleasure to listen to. The voice is incredible, the attitude is present and I ve been listening to it all day. I know nothing of her and the history of the album didn't really say much, but I'm glad to know her now. I think this is probably gonna be an album I listen to a lot !!!!

MMMMM Boem lekker

I mean the Goat of Goats. So good I looked up to see when her next show was. RIP to a legend. 8.6/10

No because I needed to hear all these songs... the first song immediately catch me and the last song totally wrecked me.

Vietnam. The Tet offensive. Race tensions. Student uprisings. Apollo 8 moon landing. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. The Civil Rights Act of 1968... it goes on and on and on... it was a LANDMARK year. And this record was part of it. This record SOUNDS like 1968. The country was in an uproar... and here we have Aretha coming in and using her soulful voice to swoon, croon and sing on one of her must-listen albums.

i mean she makes me feel like a natural woman I would say 4/5 for me, 5/5 for the world

Soulful by the bowlful.

Amazing album. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. Nearly every track locks you into an infectious groove that feels impossible to sit still for. It’s a product of an era where you had to have a full band, and the concept of the "bedroom producer" simply didn’t exist. Not that the modern production style is inherently bad and old = good. It's just that it brings a tactile, human quality to every track which is often lost in the perfect, convenient, and overly-sanitized modern style. There are even moments where you can hear Aretha breathing into the mic and it makes it feel that more personal. The standout track for me is "Niki Hoeky," anchored by an incredible bassline, but across the board, the record maintains an energy that demands physical movement. Every musician involved gets their moment to shine; from the drums and bass to the guitar and horns, there is a constant stream of subtle details and flourishes that grab your attention. The ballads, however, are the weakest point for me. I understand their place in the tracklist, but they felt like a frustrating time-out from the momentum the rest of the album builds. While I’m sure they land for some listeners, they were the only moments that broke my immersion. Ultimately, this is a record that succeeds because it is what it is and can't be anything else. It's great songs performed by a fantastic singer and amazing band. 4/5.

Talk about belting it out. There was a reason she was called the queen of soul

A album without skips and I guess it’s a piece you can hear either you’re happy or you’re sad I think it would slap both ways

She’s got a great voice and this album show cases this. Great backing and arrangements to the songs also. Love Chain of Fools

It’s as if i started to learn how to walk

Undeniably groovy.

very pretty, sweet, doesn't drag on too long, basically as good as soul can get

Some real enjoyable hooks, stories in songs

Essential. If “Chain of Fools” and “Natural Woman” won’t get you to four stars, what will?

Very nice blues album, Aretha Franklin has a wonderful voice, I just feel like I wasn't really in the best mood, having a sleepless night.

There are some truly iconic songs on hand here, and there's no question that Aretha is one of the all-time great voices. Even the songs here that are "just fine" in comparison to Chain of Fools or You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman are elevated because of her voice.

A solid soul album. Most of the tracks were decent to good. "Chain of Fools" was great. 3.5 stars.

A classic. Ain’t No Way is an all time favourite.

I normally don't fuck with soul and R&B but I gave this one a fair shake and it was a banger.

Fantastic album showcasing by Aretha Franklin is considered one of the greats

Aretha BURSTS onto the scene. Four flat.

Beautiful beautiful voice - the queen.

amo q la escucho y suena antigua JAJAJAJ, me recuerda a algo a lo que mis abuelos bailarian jeje, also ame su voz y no lo odieee. no lo escucharia de nuevo pero si me gusto escucharlo y no senti que perdi vida lol

Classic soul. Great album.

So much soul

Chain Of Fools Niki Hoeky (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone Good to Me As I Am to You

love it even if I don't really listen to this type of music

This is a fantastic album. Aretha’s voice here is absolute peak and the songs themselves hold up. Chain of Fools is a great opener. People Get Ready shows her range even more, but “Good To Me As I Am To You” is my favourite track of the album – everything about it is perfect.

It's hard to find fault with this album — the performance and recording are top-notch. Why not a 5? Well, it's not really my genre

Talk about nostalgia. My mother raised me on soul so many of these songs take me back to listening when I was just a wee lad. Aretha is the queen and this record only further solidifies that title. She has such a powerful and beautiful voice, all while being backed by musicians that know exactly how to complement her. This is one of those records that always puts me in good, hopeful spirits. RIP Queen!

really torn between 4 and 5 stars. this is a beautiful soul album and aretha has such a well-controlled and powerful voice. really isn't anyone like her. also this album starts and finishes on such a high note, it's extremely well rounded.

Perfect arrangements and performances all around .

Good easy listening. Wouldn’t mind a record of it, but the lyrics are very old fashioned. That’s expected because of the age.

It's nice

i enjoyed it. i like the Motown diva singers like her an Etta James. i would definitely listen to this again.

The Queen of Soul. Throughly enjoyed alblum. When i think of Arthea Franklin i think of "Think". If this was on the alblum it might have been a 5.

A number of smash hits on this record, all of which are enjoyable. Aretha Franklin is an unquestionable queen in music. Enjoyable but not quite on repeat.

Good

She got pipes

Yet another incredible record from the Queen of Soul. This one is on the shorter side but remains a beautiful listen. 9/10 [KEEP]

Solid album, classic tunes. great vocals, groovy backing, easy to listen to

what a sexy lady

This was really great. Clearly she is the queen. Great arrangements, great recording incredible voice. 5/8/26

One of the queens of soul music! Amazing album!

Great album

This album definitely has a lot of soul eh? Waka waka!

Classic soul music, a classic

Very cool! She has a great voice. I like how prominent the base is in a lot of these songs. I can see myself revisiting in the future for sure

Amazing voice, nice bass lines. Good for night trips or walking. Top Songs: Chain of Fools, People Get Ready, Ain't no Way

ну круто, но я все не смогла послушать

Incredible vocal performance. Live production top notch as well. Gonna come back to this one for sure.

Similar to my last Aretha experience. Great songs beautifully sung and Natural Woman is a classic but I wouldn’t choose to listen again.

Had been on the list for a while, didn’t disappoint

Every song is so familiar this was an unusual album to play. Hadn’t realised just how into the mainstream she got, and for good reasons - a soul icon

One of the best.

Great album, awesome singing and some classics!

The best singer America has ever produced.

Chain of Fools (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone Ain't No Way

good vocals, really good instrumentals. rerminds me of blues, love it reminds me of hugh lauries albums.

One of the greatest voices ever. She could sing anything and I would enjoy it. As for the songs on this album some are great and others more bland and doesn't stick out as much. None are bad though. The only thing I would have loved is a remaster that gets rid of some of the peaking on the instruments from this old recording. Some of the dissonance it creates takes away from my enjoyment of the music itself.

she the queen for a reason

Бодро, драйвово и душевно в то же время

Icon

Don’t know how to rate these older albums because they didn’t write any of the songs, but her voice is really good. Familiar with the hits, of course, but I’d never heard an album of hers. This was a good experience

I've been trapped in a hospital for the past week. I'm walking around, getting some movement in, as it relieves the pain in my side. I have my headphones in, as “Lady Soul” soundtracks the fluorescent lighting of the infinitely identical hallways. As I shuffle past wards, alien-looking medical equipment and hand-sanitising station after hand-sanitising station, I realise something. I'm listening to Aretha Franklin in slippers. What an album “Lady Soul” is. A jagged blues guitar signals in the opening track, “Chain of Fools”, an absolute classic. The way that Aretha bends those notes on the word “chain” is phenomenal. The ache and emotional pull of those bluesy minor third notes that she hits. Her voice lingers as it slides between the notes, which really adds to it feeling so emotionally powerful. It's a monster of a song. The album is packed full of up-tempo songs that blend the blues and soul masterfully. “Money Won't Change You” and “Niki Hoeky” are the best examples of that. But of course it's Aretha's voice that's the biggest star here, and it really shines on the slower songs. “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” is a weird one, because even though it's so ridiculously well-known, every time I listen to it, it feels fresh, like I haven't been listening to it properly all these years. The way Aretha can change her voice from quiet and soft, to ferocious and full in a single line is amazing. There's a reason she's one of the greats. So I turn the corner, under the green glow of emergency exit signs, passing the beeping nurse pagers that have been keeping me awake every night, and shuffle back to my ward. I wince with slight pain as I ease myself down into the worn-out chair beside my hospital bed as “Ain't No Way” finishes the album. And I look down and give a slight nod of respect to my slippers. I think I've been stuck in here too long.

Couple of bangers! Groovy and a great listen.

Chain of Fools - 4.5/5 Money Won't Change You - 4/5 People Get Ready - 4/5 Niki Hoeky - 4/5 (You Make Me Fee Like) A Natural Woman - 4.5/5 Since You've Been Gone (Sweet Sweet Baby) - 4.5/5 Good to Me as I Am to You - 4/5 Come Back Baby - 4/5 Groovin' - 4/5 Ain't No Way - 4/5 No wonder they call her the queen of soul. Good quality music but nothing really standing out from the mix to elevate it to a 5. Overall: 4/5 Favorites: Chain of Fools, (You Make Me Fee Like) A Natural Woman, Since You've Been Gone (Sweet Sweet Baby)

Good but not my thing

a classic. a vibe. girl vibe

Pas mal du tout

Another excellent album from the queen of soul - 1968 - Wow - what a voice

Prob 4.4ish, only because a few of them were a bit slow. Overall good stuff

Initially I thought I’d like it more. She obviously has a great voice, and the songs were good, but I didn’t super love any of them, even the songs I knew, it turned out I only knew like one line from it. But after a couple of listens it really grew on me, especially listening to the lyrics closer

So effortlessly good, such a natural blend of styles and skills, you can easily take it for granted. I’m tempted to rate this lower as a result, but I cant bring myself to

Hard to know what to say! As a whole it was great with some songs that are all time. As a whole album not necessarily stopping me in my tracks but when it goes it really goes.

Strong 4!

This perfectly accompanied me on my walk to work on a fresh spring morning. There is no faulting the quality of the vocals snd the music is very enjoyable, however it lacks the sustained punch to push it into being a classic.

What’s not to love? It’s sharp, it’s tight, and it does exactly what it says on the tin. There are moments where it slows down, losing its zing for me, but you can’t really go too far wrong with some Aretha.

It turns out that Lady Soul by Aretha Franklin is a great album to listen to while walking to work in the sun. I felt a bit like I was strutting rather than plodding like normal. She obviously had an astonishing voice, but for the most part I also really enjoyed the songs themselves. The musicians are also great. I have always loved Chain Of Fools so it was an excellent start for me, though I don't think this album quite kept up the same level throughout. It was so so close to being a 5 star album for me though. 4/5

super powerful, amazing backup vocals, great reverbs

Pretty difficult to argue against this being a great album

like shes a star. theres no comparison to the goat

Wat een prachtige plaat, zeg! A Natural Woman is een hoogtepunt. Een dijk van een nummer dat live door een vrouw als Aretha Franklin heel indrukwekkend moet zijn (ken je die live versie in het Kennedy Center?). Het album is verder echt pure soul. Echt heerlijk. Ik ga er verder niet te veel woorden aan vuil maken. Gewoon goed. 8/10 Highlights A Natural Woman Since You've Been Gone

Nice. Need to give it another listen as I wasn’t focussing but sounds good

Soul classics

classical banger. Every track is great

Not my favorite album of hers (that would be “I Never Loved a Man (the Way I Love You)”, but a classic collection of great songs performed well.

I really like it osea esta Aretha tiene una voz muy potente

Get it, Aretha.

one of those albums that you're "supposed to like" and is actually good.

A great singer belting out some top notch pop music. What’s not to like?

Was good.

Extraordinary. The great.

Oh my, this woman is so awesome

👍👍👍

Amazing, the vocals of this woman, my god.

I don't usually listen to much gospel but this is really great, Aretha has an amazing voice and she uses it really well 88/100 1. Chain of Fools - 89/100 2. Money Won't Change You - 87/100 3. People Get Ready - 88/100 4. Nike Hoeky - 90/100 5. (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman - 88/100 6. Since You've Been Gone (Sweet Sweet Baby) - 92/100 7. Good to Me as I Am to You - 85/100 8. Come Back Baby - 90/100 9. Groovin' - 88/100 10. Ain't No Way - 90/100

very (lady) soulful

her voice is soo good. it just makes the whole album

Nice funky album.

This album had more rock undertones than I thought it would, no can really sing like her

El álbum es muy bueno, muy movido, me gustaron mucho las canciones chain of folks y money won’t change you

She’s got an amazing voice and the composition is great, not sure what it’s missing for a 5 but still very good

She's the queen of Soul for a reason, not her absolute best work, but still really really excellent. Smooth listening, obviously best vocals for soul of all time, and still really good backing tracks.

Absolutely classic. The opening notes of "Chain of Fools" set the stage for a great album. I didn't know it before, but "Ain't No Way" wails in a good way.

Wow. Chain of Fools and You Make Me Feel on one album jfc (I still sometimes feel like I’m being yelled at but in a good way usually 😂)

A great album but perhaps not her best. Maybe a lack of variety but made up for by that incredible voice and wonderful Motown sound. 4/5

amazing voice. It has a lot of songs that would be great for a roadtrip. I can imagine screaming the songs, and it makes you want to dance. The previous album that I listened to was Tapestry by Carole King, so I liked that I got to hear "You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman" back to back. full-circle moment. My favorite song of the album is "Groovin'," the perfect Sunday morning song. I just think that this music is not really my scene. It is something that I'm not going to get back to often.

9/10 Pinnacle

Great album

Some absolutely classic songs song by a master of her craft- this was great to listen to and had me dancing around my kitchen! If I have one criticism, it’s that this didn’t feel as much like a cohesive album to me- more just a collection of songs (if that makes any sense?)

How can this not be 5 stars. So many absolute classics and an all time great voice. Then I listened it to again, and while great kinda felt not quite 5 star worthy so bumping down to 4. Hits are great, just didn’t hold together as much on another listen.

just listen to Aretha and melt...omg

Enjoyed this a lot more the second go-around, every song on here feels like a hit.

Drawn in by her voice

Awesome set of beautiful soul songs. Love Aretha's voice and delivery. The arrangements and production are something really special too. I grew up listening to a couple of greatest hits Aretha records and I guess that's why I don't routinely listen now - I was missing a traditional album. This one does feel a little bit like a greatest hits. There is no strong production identity that makes it feel all like one thing. Hope there's another Aretha here.

fantastic album, love aretha franklin, her voice is so captivating 4.1 !

Cet album est vraiment chouette :) J'ai découvert certains titres avec plaisir

The funkiest songs the Diva of Soul ever sang together. A couple of filler songs, but the best album Aretha ever recorded IMO.

OUTRA MULHER!!!!! FAVS (top 3): chain of fools, niki hoeky, come back baby mençoes honrosas: (you make me feel like) a natural woman, (sweet sweet baby) since youve been gone, aint no way, chain of fools UM OTIMO ALBUM do inicio ao fim muito lindo serio mt bom nota final: 4.5/5

Same great voice but more interesting songs than in I never loved a man...

Some of the best examples of Aretha Franklin, soul, R&B songs are on this album. Queen of soul

I mean icon, staple, legend. First album back after abit of a break on here and it’s dynamite. It’s not something I would ever think of just listening to, but I guess that’s the premise of this. Her songs have been like staple in a lot of family events and listening has brought back so many memories, that’s what music is about. The music behind her voice is incredible on some of these songs. But her voice, wow. Outstanding album.

Absolute classic, instantly recognise that old Motown sound, could it be James Jamerson on the bass with that thumping line driving the track? Really a mood lifter is this album!

im vibing with it. again its not a genre i listen to usually but in this case thats my bad. ive been missing out. chain of fools and groovin stand out the most to me but almost the entire album had me bobbing my head. even the couple of more gospel-leaning tracks, which are so far outside what i would usually listen to, are good enough that i can still fuck w/ it. only real complaint is how short the tracks are and how often they just fade out, but i get the impression that was just how folks were making music back then so i cant really hold that against this album in particular. i should listen to more rnb....

Aretha Franklin is such a tremendous talent, no musical mindscape is complete without songs like “Chain of Fools.” I noticed that she sang and played piano on most / many songs, but she also was the writer for some of the deep cuts on side two. Other songwriting credits include James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, and Carole King. “Chain of Fools” never gets old, other songs are quite good but can’t take you as high. This feels like a very good, old school collection of A and B sides moreso than a unified musical statement. Still, it is well deserving and Aretha must have her due on 1001.

Aretha could sing Hot Cross Buns and I'd give it at least 4 stars. Everything she sings turns to gold, and the inclusion of a couple of her bigger hits makes this album stand out enough to warrant a high rating. Just an extreme talent that captures your attention.

Can't give Aretha Franklin anything less than a four, it's sacrilegious. The woman has a voice of gold, that Queen Midas-touch to anything she touches. fav tracks: Chain of Fools, Ain't No Way

well thats a new genre for me, beautiful and so is the lyrics, had a great time listening to it and deff will be my favorite

Aretha is amazing, and this album is probably her best imo.

The hits are great, the rest was average imo. 3.5/5

I thoroughly enjoyed this album, this is what I was hoping to find in this album generator!!!

Great album. Aretha has one of those all time voices. So powerful. It draws you in right away. Good songs on the album. Notables include Chain of Fools, People Get Ready, You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Wiman, Since You’ve Been Gone, Good to Me As I am To You, Groovin, Ain’t No Way.

Fun. Funky. Upbeat. Nice.

“I Love it”- Kira

Die Soul-Stimme der 60er. Viele bekannte Songs 4/5

legendary, though i liked it less than i remembered, 4.5

7/10

Another great 60’s effort from the Queen of Soul. I like the instrumental element just as much, if not more, than Aretha’s vocals. And I love her voice. This album combines her typical elements of soul, gospel, jazz, and R&B in a way that just works. Great album, I’ll be coming back to this one.

ARETHAAAAAAA!?!?????? [as a compliment]

The melody is quite funky and lively. the lyrics to the songs are quite lovely. The rhythm is fast and slow in songs, love it.

Aw man. This just warms up the heart of any human being. Beautiful voice and arrangements and tight band and brass section. This puts a smile on my face.

I am listening on the Oxford Tube, resolved to try again (again) at discovering things and settling myself in the lineage of music. Yesterday, it occurred to me for the first time that I did teach myself the guitar when I was a teenager, persistently, dedicatedly, and that that is proof of something. I just want to access the world of human cultural feeling, something I’ve felt somehow on the periphery of my whole life. I’m doing this by actively listening now, the way others have done. We just listen to what the world has to say - we just have to stay open. I’m enjoying this record, it’s evocative of the cosiness of late 60s media. I think of jiving in a diner and reading poetry to my date. I’m not sure whether I’m a woman in this scenario, not sure I can be. The world of the record was a different one, it seemed. I mean of course it was. All the songs were written by session people and producers, troops assembled, hitmakers. Natural Woman is undoubtably the best, written by Carole King and also credited to her producer husband. The arrangements are fairly classic but there are standout moments, particularly on drums. I’d like to listen to this on vinyl. Spooner Oldham is credited in the personnel, as is Cl***on. I want to think about the power of a loud voice and I want to watch footage of her singing. I love the guitar tone on Chain, there’s an extra hit of it in the bonus unedited version. Drum groove is also great and all of this can’t really be described. I think about trains and stuff as well, and how it would’ve felt to listen to this in England. Good old England, cesspit of sarcasm. I’m looking forward to more of everything and I even want to dance.

Absolute queen! Such a great album.

- Strong, soulful voice with great range and control + funky grooves... What's not to love? - Some nice instrumentation that never gets too in your face - it lets her voice be the star, but there are tons of different sounds that are interesting in their own right - fun basslines, keys, brass, etc throughout. - My only real complaint is, like most 60's music, I wish the subject matter was more varied - it's not *all* love songs, but pretty close. For such a great civil rights activist, I was hoping for more of that in here. - The sound quality could be more crisp because it feels a little like it's behind a wall of hot air or something.

Aretha Franklin is enriched by a great backing band, who do more than just accompany her. Never been a fan of 'Chain of Fools' (don't ask why), but there were some decent numbers on here. Easy 4 stars.

This album is like a man sitting on the bus riding home from work. A slightly older woman gets on and he offers his seat to her. She is appreciative, but she turns it down. She’s still healthy enough to stand and wants to make the most of that while she can. Eventually the passenger next to the man gets off the bus so the lady sits next to him. The two make friendly conversation about the weather, then each others lives. The woman is friendly, but also she does put up some barriers. She is strong enough to know that she doesn’t need to get to know this guy too well.

I mean it’s Aretha Franklin folks. That voice is beautiful. Whilst I know Aretha for a lot more of her slower and more soulful cuts (Respect, Change Is Gonna Come), I found real delight in a lot of the more upbeat songs on this album. Some really excellent work. And obviously, the more soulful songs are just as masterful, especially the final song. Incredible.

Sweet and energetic from start to finish. Would listen again.

Excelente.

8/10 Best songs: Chain of Fools, People Get Ready Not much to say - Aretha is a great singer, these are sort of pre-Motown/jazzy/blues-y songs, and it's just a very chill, cohesive album. Good stuff.

A classic. Short and sweet, powerful and so well mixed

Aretha goatlin Fave track: Chain of Fools

That voice. 4/5

I love this album, an amazing voice. A pleasure to listen to now and any time after this 4/5

Chain of fools- 8/10 Money won’t change you- 8/10 People get ready- 8/10 Niki hoeky- 6/10 You make me feel like a natural woman- 9/10 Sweet sweet baby- 8/10 Good to me as I am to you- 9/10 Come back baby- 8/10 Groovin- 7/10 Ain’t no way- 10/10 Overall 81/100

Beautiful, timeless, ‘60s soul music sung by one of the best to ever do it.

I liked this a lot more than the previous Aretha Franklin album I got a while back. Some great tunes done really well.

Aretha sing GOOD. Niki Hoeky and Ain't No Way were great and new to me. Not long enough to cook dinner to is a small minus though. Needed more 7 min jams

Didn't realize how many of her hits were on one album. Enjoyable listen. Could be better for its time but the styles blended together to me so most songs sounded similar.

Great

Aretha Franklin on yksi niistä monista legendaarisista artisteista, joiden tuotantoon en ole juurikaan tutustunut. Tämä kyseinen levy, Lady Soul olikin oikein hyvä. Arethan voimakas ääni kantaa läpi biisilistan, joka koostuu sielukkaasta gospelista ja bluesista.

A fine album from the Queen. It starts off with one of her biggest songs and the rest are some decent covers. Songwritter credit on a single track.

Amazing vocals. Can't go wrong with some quality vintage soul and Aretha is one of the goats of it.

Handful of classics, didn't know Groovin' was originally Aretha's. Super powerful voice and actual variety of music styles between gospel, slow emotional, jumpy old timey game show pop and light rock. Very cool to spot those differences.

Onhan tää hyvä. Levyjä tulossa artistilta varmasti vielä useampi. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Powerful and vibrant.

Always a vibe

Discazo

such a sweet voice

heerlijk !! het verbaasde me dat (you make me feel like) a natural woman zo diep in het album stond, ik verwachtte dat wel een lead single was

nice pop album, relaxing and fun

Aretha sings. And sings. And sings. I’ll be honest: soul is a genre I have a great deal of trouble with. And this album, Lady Soul, is pretty much soul with a capital S. It revolves around singing, and Aretha Franklin could certainly sing. I have no expertise whatsoever in this field, but I suspect that this sort of record helped lay the foundations for the R&B that would start polluting radio stations from the late eighties onwards. The important difference is: this is much better. The singing is a continuous demonstration of vocal technique, but on most tracks Franklin somehow manages to keep it just on the right side of the line—which I mean positively. The obvious exception will come later. Modern R&B singers seem to feel that every other word needs to be stretched across two and a half octaves; here the technique is generally used in service of the song. Still, the vibrato is often too heavy, and Franklin is mixed loud. Occasionally a single word seems to leap out of the speakers, cross the room and escape through the window. It was 1967, after all. No digital safety net. The bigger problem for me is the music—or rather, the lack of it. This is a completely different approach to making music from the one I enjoy. The album consists entirely of songs written by professional songwriters or covers, including material by Carole King, Curtis Mayfield and James Brown. Not a single song was written by anyone who actually plays on the album. The musicians are there to perform the material; the singer is the star. And that singer is very much the star. There is precious little else going on. The obvious exception is opener 'Chain of Fools', which is consequently also my favourite track. There is actually some guitar, and the drummer occasionally dares to syncopate. When you read that Eric Clapton and Bobby Womack are among the guitarists on the album, you can't help wondering whether they could perhaps have been allowed out of their cages a little more often. The rest is mostly Franklin, her backing singers and some rather dutiful horn arrangements. Take the two most familiar songs. '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman' is the original recording, but I much prefer Carole King's later version on Tapestry. King's is more restrained and consequently more affecting; Franklin's is simply too bombastic for my taste. And then there is 'Groovin''. Good grief. The laid-back West Coast pop of the Young Rascals' original—despite the fact that they were actually from New Jersey—is replaced here by more limp horns and vocal bombast. It is rather like aiming a football at a rugby goal: technically the object is somewhere in the general vicinity, but you've fundamentally misunderstood what you're trying to do. The absolute low point is 'People Get Ready' by Curtis Mayfield. I now discover that the song became an anthem of sorts for the civil rights movement, which is obviously rather wonderful. But that isn't remotely how it comes across here. Instead, we enter full gospel territory, with Franklin pulling out every possible vocal trick. The windows shatter, are repaired, and immediately shatter again. The average word seems to cover an octave and a half. It is exhausting. So yes, this probably doesn't sound like a 7/10 review. But I think a 7 is deserved. I can hear the quality, and I'm judging the album against the conventions and ambitions of its genre rather than pretending that my own musical preferences are some sort of universal law. Franklin was clearly operating at the very top of late-sixties soul and R&B, and Lady Soul is ample evidence of that. I just wish someone had turned the volume down a little.

I knew Aretha was good, didnt realize how much i would enjoy it

Favorite Tracks: Niki Hoeky | A Natural Woman

everyone remember to say "thank you aretha franklin"!

fun!!! absolute classic thank you aretha... more like a 4.5 for me

I enjoyed this. Great listen. Favorite Songs: People Get Ready & Ain't No Way.

Love this amazing soul album,

Straight up 60's soul

It almost goes without saying but what an incredible voice! A couple of classics on this album and, with a polite 30 mins run time, it absolutely breezed by. I can’t say I’d actively seek out this sort of music to listen to but her music is so engrained in popular culture that I needn’t worry.

3.5

8/10 truly beautiful

bangers

Yup. Legendary. 4/5

what a fantastic voice 4/5

She's just so bloody good. 4.5.

First time trying soul, and it's actually pretty good. I don't enjoy those moments when the singer just blows it, though, it mostly hurts my ears... But great album overall.

a great voice and enjoyed the album. not sure how much i would listen to this again in the future though

I wasn’t expecting to get a ton out of Lady Soul (seeing as I found Aretha Franklin’s other Book Album to be just decent), but this one really surprised me! The songs are memorable, the performances are top notch and I love how rich & lively the instrumentals are. I already listened through the full thing twice today, along with the bonus tracks from the CD reissue! I seriously considered giving it five stars, but I feel like I’d have to move a lot of my strong fours up a tier if I did that. Ultimately, it’s one of those albums that is basically perfect on all counts, but has a couple of songs that don’t speak to me as much as the others and doesn’t strike me as a purely unique body of work in the same way that my previous fives did. Highlights: Chain of Fools, People Get Ready, Niki Hoeky, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You’ve Been Gone, Good to Me as I Am to You, Come Back Baby

This is so good. Aretha is the GOAT and this kind of soul music just really hits for me.

Very soulful. Good vibes. Faves: Chain of Fools, Money Won't Change You, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman

some great vibes

Stocked with hits, but stands alone as an easy-to-listen-to album. Really enjoyed this one.

A classic for a reason. Though the amount of songs that have been used for advertisements at this point, as made it harder to appreciate each song, as well as the overall album.

Love it!

Its soothing. But the weather here was too warm to let me fully enjoy it. Its a wonderful album to listen when its cold and you miss the summer

Top bangers: 1.Chain of fools 2.Natural Woman 3.Come Back Baby

It's records like this that make 3/4 of the others on this list look like hot garbage. This actually is a record that everyone should listen to before they die! Such easy, joyful listening with all of the nuance and soul of a gold star record. I can't imagine there is anyone out there who wouldn't be grateful to listen to Aretha. Or at least want to dance a little bit ;) -Ruby Aretha’s records are worth listening to for the rhythm section. I find this sort of vocal soul styling to be very dated sounding. —Noah

Shed a tear listening to this fr

This album was powerful. What a queen

fire

Lady Soul is an absolute banger, the kind of album that grabs you by the shoulders and makes it physically impossible to sit still. At just around 30 minutes, it feels almost unfairly short, especially when it works so well as a workday companion that turns your office chair into a dance floor. By the time it ends, you’re left thinking, That was it? Already? Aretha Franklin’s voice is the undeniable centerpiece here, and it’s nothing short of incredible. She sounds powerful, confident, and completely at home, effortlessly switching between grit and elegance. Every note feels intentional, every phrase drenched in soul. Even decades later, her presence is magnetic. That said, while the album is very enjoyable, it’s also quite homogeneous. The songs share a similar vibe and palette, but thankfully it never becomes tiring. Each track manages to carve out its own little pocket of personality, small shifts in mood, groove, or attitude that keep things engaging even if the overall sound remains consistent. The age of the record does show. It’s well recorded for its time, but you can still hear the years in the production, which slightly dulls the impact compared to more modern recordings. More importantly, despite how much fun it is, Lady Soul doesn’t quite feel like an album that transmits something deeper or lasting. It’s a great time, a joyous listen, but not one that leaves a strong emotional or conceptual mark once it’s over. For all that, it’s hard not to enjoy yourself while it’s playing. Just don’t expect it to linger long after the final note. 7.5/10

banger

Great vocals, easy listening

Please don't tell my friends and family, but I think I only find this a very good album rather than a perfect one.

Reliably quality. You can always depend on Aretha. Chain of Fools and You Make Me Feel are particular standouts on a strong album.

I would vibe to this in a cafe or bar in the 60s.

Tolle Stimme, nette Songs, 3 1/2, ich runde auf.

Flott skive, imponerende stemme. Liker det best når instrumentseksjonen får lov til å gå like hardt som Franklin.

What a voice

so iconic

Aretha the Queen Franklin. Don't think there's many who can touch her vocal's. This entire track list is full of vibey songs. As to be expected from a legend.

不错

so soulful and warm! don’t have much experience with listening to aretha so this is a great full intro

Wish I could hear this with fresh ears, so much of Aretha’s catalog has been so ubiquitous - radio in the 80s, film soundtrack shorthand for all manner of things, a certain mod night I went to in the 00s, etc.

4/5 Overall a solid record

Good album. Iconic sound of soul in the late 60's!

"A Natural Woman" I knew I knew her stuff. Had this on while cooking and eating dinner. Excellent.

Track 1: Listening while sitting bathtub, nice echoey acoustics from IPhone speaker while in bathroom. Feels like i'm in netflix teen show. Track 2:

Fantastic first time listen

It’s good

Beautiful every track beautiful what a voice

Wow. Spectacular album! Quintessential soul. I give it a 4.5!

the queen, though not something I usually listen to

Another soul and R&B classic with many memorable tracks, several of which have been interpolated and covered many times since. Franklin's performances are as nuanced, powerful and memorable as her frankly astonishingly consistent remaining body of work. The backing band (including purported additions by Cissy Houston/The Sweet Inspirations and Eric Clapton) are up to task for the standard R&B canon of the time. An incredibly easy and enjoyable listen, although a lot of these classic baby making music albums fail to excite me the way works pushing the boundary of the artform a little more do. A solid 4 carried by Franklin's iconic pipes. Favorite Tracks: "Chain of Fools", "... A Natural Woman", "Since You've Been Gone", "Groovin'" Least Favorite Tracks: All of them have their place in the album

Nice start.

Aretha had a beautiful voice. I‘ve actually been getting more into Soul/Blues. She‘s a legend and I have to throw respect on her name. I will say, I wish the instrumentals shined through a bit more.

There is a reason why she is so revered, it is because she talented & can Sii-ii--innn--nngg!! Sing!! Since I recently had Carole King's album with her rendition of Natural Woman, Aretha's version is light years better. I did not care for Franklin's version of Groovin'. Slowed it down too much for my liking. Chain of Fools is The One on here for me. Popped in my head, when I saw it on the track listing. ITS still there. Natural Woman will too. 4

I always am hesitant to listen to old R&B/Soul, which is odd because I always end up loving them. This is a lovely record that has some great soulful slow tunes, and some more funky lively stuff.

don't call her Queen of Soul for nothing

3.5

Good sangin

Gave it a 82/100, 2 playlisted tracks, I didn’t expect to like this nearly as much as I did especially since I usually don’t like the pure vocalist records but this was cool. Doesn’t sound dated at all.

very good

Was nice

Some classic songs, and the rest is also good soul, but not as good as the other Aretha Franklin album in this book. 4 stars

I like this better than the other Aretha album in the book. I think you get some bona fide classics like "Chain of Fools" and "Natural Woman", plus some really great deep cuts like "Ain't No Way" and "People Get Ready". Not really a dud on this album. I'm tempted to go 5 stars, but I'm going to go with a high 4.5 for now.

I liked the big band

Lovely Album. Outside of the classics, the song that blew me away was was "Ain't No Way". That ghostly high note is INSANE.

Queen of soul delivers an iconic performance over wonderful arrangements

Me gusto mucho, una onda jazz pum para arriba. Te pone de buen humor. Terrible voz tiene aretha, alguna vez escuché chain of fools pero no tenía idea de que era de ella.

Soulful perfection! Her version of People Get Ready is fantastic.

i mean what a beautiful, exciting album. i love it!

So good: the horn drop on People Get Ready, the kinetic bass on Niki Hoeky, the nervous strings on You Make Me Feel, that Aretha transcends somehow both soaring and gritty. I could do without Groovin', but otherwise perfect.

1-песня чем то напомнила "California dreamin" очень бодрый и приятный вайб, 2-тоже очень понравилась. почему то вайб старой кофейни из 80х. 5- песня с невероятно крутой звуковой дорожке, ощущение что конец какого то трогательного фильма. 6- очень крутой вайб, переносит в ту эпоху Думаю каждая песня на этом альбоме заслуживает внимания "я добавил те которые выше" Очень приятный альбом,c невероятной атмосферой. общая оценка по первому впечатлению 8.5/10

The Queen. 4/5

A collection of classic sung by a timeless voice.

Quintessential soul album. Aretha's voice is powerful yet comforting. It is a shame she has since passed. Her legacy lives on through her music and this album is a perfect representation of her power, warmth, and love.

Incredible voice ticks it up for me

Amazing voice, great style, fun record. Legendary artist and iconic album.

Uskomaton, en oo r&btä tai soulia niinkää kuunnellu. 1900 luvun parhaita ääniä.

Franklin's voice is an amazing combination of power, control and finesse on this album. The backing musicians are also in excellent form across these tracks. Probably the only weak point on this record is the sometimes weak choice of material, including an ill-advised and unnecessary cover of The Young Rascals' Groovin'".

Classic

4,5