In the midst of headlines about Aretha Franklin‘s still-rockin’ live shows and unfortunate
health-related cancellations, anticipation for the
yet unscheduled release of her
long-delayed new album A Woman Falling Out of Love,
and casting for a musical production of her biography From These Roots, Rhino Records is now set
to release a collection of rare recordings from her days with Atlantic.
Phew. I’m tired just typing about all of that. But no complaints from me — Franklin’s ten-plus Atlantic years were incredible, starting with her first major hit, 1967’s
“I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You).” Franklin soon followed up with “Respect,” and before pop music knew what was happening, she was making history as a crossover R&B
superstar.
Atlantic released a huge number of other classics — “Chain of Fools,” “You Make Me Feel (Like a Natural Woman),” and one of my favorites,
“Don’t Play That Song.” Watch a young Franklin work that piano (but be forewarned, the video cuts off abruptly):
I hope that Franklin takes care of herself and manages to get some new music out to us, but until then, I’m excited to discover possible classics
that’ve never been heard before (except by the lucky ones who get to actually work with the Queen of Soul). The rare and unreleased recordings drop on Oct. 16.
