Erma Does It All!!!
B. Scott | New York, NY United States | 03/31/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's strange that Erma Franklin, four years older than her sister Aretha, didn't receive anywhere near the same type of recognition as the Queen of Soul but this fine collection will reveal Erma's emotional, dynamic and versatile singing ability. This CD contains Erma's entire Epic 1962 LP ("Her Name Is Erma") plus all seven of her non-album Epic singles in addition to the seven tracks she recorded for Shout Records between 1967-68.
I think all of the songs on the CD are great. Some of my favorites include the bluesy gospel tunes "Big Boss Man," "Don't Catch The Dog's Bone," and "Don't Have The Right To Cry." Some may forget that Erma was the first to record "Piece of My Heart" (Hot 100 # 62, R&B #10), and although Janis Joplin had quite a bit of success with it, no one sang it with as much soul as Erma; the original is worth hearing. "Baby What You Want Me To Do" has a great beat, while "Open Up Your Soul" and "Don't Have The Right To Cry" remind me of gospel tunes I've heard in church. "What Kind of Girl (Do You Think I Am)" is a cute song that is the typical girl song popularized during the 60's which speaks of not wanting to be mistaken for being a bad girl. "Don't Blame Me" is a really cool blues number, and when she sings "Hello Again" and "Never Let Me Go" her voice may remind you of Della Reese. Whereas on "It's Over" she sounds a little edgier, like Ruth Brown and Sugar Pie DeSanto. "Never Again" highlights her dynamic range and use of emotions as the song builds to its climax. I enjoy the upbeat R&B gospel like song "Don't Wait Too Long," and of course the mysterious and enchanting "Abracadabra."
Erma also does a wonderful interpretation of jazz and pop standards: "Time After Time," "Everytime We Say Goodbye," "The Man I Love" and "Detour Ahead." She basically sang everything well, and maybe part of the problem may have been that record comapnies didn't know how to promote her, and as a result tried a little bit of everything while hoping for a hit. This was fine by Erma because she had attened Clark College in Atlanta and had a business career at IBM. She said singing was her hobby!!
This fair priced import will provide the listener with an excellent overview of her recording career at Epic and Shout. I also recommend this to people who enjoy 60's blues and R&B. And although Erma Franklin died in 2002 at 64, her music and the contributions she made during her recording career will be with us forever."
