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)."
The 1971 live album that proved to be Aretha's crossover hit!
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..."
all hail the queen this is one of her finest albums. I believe one of the best live albums that i've heard to date!!!!!!!!! Submitted by wares50 (michigan) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
even live unsure how the hippy crowd would take her, yeah right. she got the midas touch. wonderful selections, banging music, and a soaring voice to match. fantastic!!!! Submitted by echalan_99 (orlando, fl) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
WOW!!! OMG!!! She is THE BEST singer that ever lived!!! I LOVE this cd it is sooooo cool!! So please just R-E-S-P-E-C-T, and find out what it means to me, R-E-S-P-E-C-T Take care T-C-B:) Submitted by a reviewer (Carol Stream, Illinois) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Aretha Live is Wonderful!!!! This album is superb. If you can get an opportunity to hear Aretha live, it is wonderful. She knows how to sing a song. Get this one quick. Submitted by a reviewer (San Bernardino, CA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
SPIRIT IN THE DARK-(REPRISE) EXCELLENT RECORDING BEING LIVE AT FILLMORE'S IMAGINE RAY CHARLES,ARETHA AND BILLY PRESTON WITH KING CURTIS WITH THREE DECEASE NOW THIS IS A CLASSIC.DON'T FORGET BERNARD PURDIE AND THE ROUGH TIME HE HAD THAT NIGHT Submitted by DDELO65716 (NORFOLK/SUFFOLK , VA.) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
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