#75 Aretha Franklin, 'Lady Soul' (1968)

Previously #85

On her third collaboration with Atlantic Records, Aretha Franklin gives us her career-defining performance. Lady Soul, as she had come to be known, could not be a more fitting title. During her tenure with Columbia, Franklin wasn’t quite allowed to reach her potential. Jerry Wexler at Atlantic allowed her to soar and this is the album on which she takes full flight.

Opening with the sassy ‘Chain Of Fools,’ the song was originally written for Otis Redding, but Wexler felt it suited Franklin better. She reinterprets The Impressions’ ‘People Get Ready’ with conviction and makes it her own; the mark of a great cover. But it’s the last track on Side A of this record that truly showcases Franklin’s huge talent. The daughter of a preacher who grew up singing in the church, Franklin takes the Carole King/Gerry Goffin and injects it with Gospel and Soul giving the song life. ‘(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman’ is the ultimate feminist anthem and her signature song. It features the sweet backing vocals of Cissy Houston and the Sweet Inspirations (aka Whitney’s mother), as well as Franklin’s sisters. ‘Good To Me As I Am To You’ is a Bluesy slow jam featuring none other than Eric Clapton on guitar. Such a perfect pairing. Franklin’s voice is perfect on this record. More than perfect, in fact. She would forever change Soul music with this release.

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