Aretha Franklin Live At The Fillmore West CD

Recorded live at Fillmore West, San Francisco, California on February 5 and 7, 1971. Originally released on Atlantic (7205). Includes liner notes by David Nathan.

When Aretha Franklin recorded 1971's LIVE AT FILLMORE WEST, she was backed by a group of veteran session musicians on a mix of popular interpretations along with some of her trademark numbers. Opening with Otis Redding's "Respect," Franklin made Stephen Stills' "Love The One You're With" her own with the help of Billy Preston's joyous organ playing while Bread's saccharine "Make It With You" was injected with a healthy shot of sexy sassiness.

Aretha Franklin's underrated piano playing and a healthy display of her gospel roots make FILLMORE one of the more special recordings in Lady Soul's vast canon. Franklin's skill on the eighty-eights particularly shines on her swinging treatment of the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" and the jubilant "Don't Play That Song." Franklin also plays electric piano on "Dr. Feelgood," and from this point on she turns Bill Graham's hall into a Baptist church. Between the call-and-response of her background singers and King Curtis' skillful band-leading/saxophone playing, Franklin's high point came when she brought Ray Charles out for the reprise of the testimonial "Spirit In The Dark" followed by the uplifting "Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)."

When Aretha Franklin recorded 1971's LIVE AT FILLMORE WEST, she was backed by a group of veteran session musicians on a mix that included interpretations of popular songs and some of her trademark numbers. Franklin makes Stephen Stills' "Love The One You're With" her own with the help of Billy Preston's joyous organ work, while Bread's saccharine "Make It With You" is injected with a healthy shot of sexy sassiness.

Franklin's underrated piano playing and a healthy display of her gospel roots make FILLMORE a special recording in Lady Soul's vast canon. Franklin's skill on the eighty-eights particularly shines on her swinging treatment of the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" and the jubilant "Don't Play That Song." Franklin also plays electric piano on "Dr. Feelgood," and from this point on she turns Bill Graham's hall into a Baptist church. The call-and-response of her background singers and King Curtis' skillful band-leading/saxophone playing lead up to the high point where she brings Ray Charles out for the reprise of the testimonial "Spirit In The Dark" followed by the uplifting "Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)."

The Memphis Horns: Andrew Love, Lou Collins (tenor saxophones); Jimmy Mitchell (baritone saxophone); Wayne Jackson, Roger Hopps (trumpets); Jack Hale (trombone).

The Sweethearts Of Soul: Margaret Branch, Brenda Bryant, Pat Smith (background vocals).

Personnel: Aretha Franklin (vocals, piano, electric piano); Ray Charles (vocals, piano, electric piano); Pat Smith , Brenda Bryant, Margaret Branch (vocals, background vocals); Cornell Dupree (guitar); Arif Mardin (strings, synthesizer); King Curtis (saxophone, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Lou Collins, Andrew Love (saxophone, tenor saxophone); James Mitchell (saxophone); Jimmy Mitchell (baritone saxophone); Roger Hopps, Wayne Jackson (trumpet); Jack Hale (trombone); Truman Thomas (electric piano, keyboards); Billy Preston (organ, keyboards); Bernard "Pretty" Purdie (drums); Pancho Morales (congas, percussion); The Sweethearts of Soul (background vocals).

Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot.

Liner Note Author: David Nathan.

Recording information: Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA (02/05/1971/02/07/1971).

Photographer: Jim Marshall .

Personnel: Aretha Franklin (vocals, electric piano); Ray Charles (vocals, electric piano); King Curtis (soprano & tenor saxophones); Billy Preston (organ).

The Kingpins: Cornell Dupree (guitar); Truman Thomas (electric piano); Jerry Jemmott (bass); Bernard Purdie (drums); Pancho Morales (congas).

Rolling Stone (7/22/71, p.36) - "...irresistible, simply because when Aretha's good, she's truly inspired..."
Rolling Stone (9/30/71, p.42) - "...the greatest vocal virtuoso in rock today..."
Rolling Stone (7/22/71, p.36) - "...irresistible, simply because when Aretha's good, she's truly inspired..."
Uncut (p.120) - 3 stars out of 5 - "It all adds up to a rare historical document..."