Search - Aretha Franklin :: Aretha Gospel

C.L.'s daughter wrecks the church in 1956.

Bob Marovich pmarov9846@aol.com | Chicago, IL USA | 06/24/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For those of you who are only familiar with Aretha's soul music output, you are in for a real treat with "Aretha Gospel." Even those who have heard Aretha's gospel outings such as the two-LP "Amazing Grace" from the 1970s will love this brief but explosive CD based on recordings made in her father C.L. Franklin's church in the 1950s.Others can confirm this, but these recordings were originally made circa 1956 for the Battle and Chess/Checker labels. "Never Grow Old" was released as a Checker 78 and 45 in 1956. At that time, Aretha was billed as "daughter of Rev. C.L. Franklin." "Precious Lord" was issued on a Checker 45 in the early 1960s, after John Hammond and Columbia Records introduced Aretha to the jazz vocalist-loving public.Listen to Aretha sing "Precious Lord" or "Never Grow Old" on "Aretha Gospel." Listen to the congregation respond. Listen to the recording mics stretched to their audio limit with her powerful voice. Then remind yourself that this is a 14-YEAR OLD young lady singing. Then pinch yourself to make sure you're not dreaming -- and believe me, you're not! This is teenage Aretha giving the world advance notice of her remarkable talent, all the while praising God in her father's church."

Greatest gospel record of all times.Amazing,terrific !!!!!!!

JEAN-MARIE JUIF | BESANCON France | 05/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Aretha Franklin was only 14 years old !!! when this absolutely terrific album of gospel music was recorded live,at her father's church,the Reverend C.L.Franklin.There was never such an amazing voice in the gospel field,and the live recording gives to this gigantic music a special,dramatic,intense feeling that could never be reached at a studio session.This extraordinay voice,which surely will make you cry,was the voice of a young girl who was on her way to glory.This may be one of the most important albums ever recorded in the history of great black music,wether it is jazz,blues,or gospel;I'll allways treasure this record as one of the highest masterpiece of singing.Aretha is bewildering,and maybe NOBODY ever sang with such emotion and perfection.This music is so intensive,so emotionnal,so rich,so unique that it will make you shiver and cry.You can't imagine what's in this CD,even if you listened to a lot of gospel.That's simply terrific.
"there's a fountain filled with blood" is sung almost a cappella by Aretha,with only piano and organ background,and exhortations by the members of the church.Her absolutely perfect voice marvels here."Precious Lord" is a masterpiece,a very great moment in the history of singing;there is an unbelievable dramatic intensity here,that was rarely equalled.This music is so intense that I can't find my words to describe it."You grow closer" is another great tune,somptuously sung by Aretha.And so are the other tunes.You,jazz,blues or gospel lover,you have to own this exceptionnal record.If you don't like the music Aretha FRanklin did later,just listen to "Never grow old" and you'll have to admitt that you're listening to some of the most essential minutes of the music you like.This is,forgive me if I'm repeating this,an extremely important record.Don't miss it."

A Gospel Treasure

S. Roseman | Round Rock, TX USA | 04/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I came to Amazon.com to repurchase this CD. I bought the album years ago. It got damaged so I discovered the CD and bought it also. As I write, it is playing on my computer under Linux. It has deep scratches, so I'm buying it again. In other words, if it is worth buying 3 times, it has got to be good. Of course, something recorded at her father's church when Aretha was about 14 years old will not have the quality of modern recordings. I play this all night long and tears of emotion fill my eyes. There is none like Aretha...NONE!!! My friend took this home to his indigent mother. Although we had never met or spoken to each other before, she called me at work the next day with excitement and jubilance. She "shouted" more that day than she had shout in long time. She was so thankful and was so surprise that a young person could appreciate such great singing that she gave me her complete album collection which included THE ORIGINAL MARCH ON WASHINGTON album with Dr. King and others plus most of Mahalia's albums.Want specifics..."The Day Is Past And Gone" is what set my friend's mother on fire and is my favorite. I don't think you'll find it on any other CD. "Yield not to Temptation" and "There is Fountain Filled With Blood" make this worth buying and keeping as a part of your historical collection. If you don't like old spiritual hymns, then don't buy although it just might convert you."