Rare & Unreleased Recordings from the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soul cover

Rare & Unreleased Recordings from the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soul

Aretha Franklin · 2007

138 min · 35 tracks · funk · jazz · pop rock

Unearthed demos and outtakes showcase Aretha's raw vocal power and emotional depth across genres from soul to gospel.

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Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • wave-like emotional explorations
  • raw vocal power showcases
  • two-halves listening experience
  • intimate moments of vulnerability
  • dynamic thematic shifts throughout

Maybe skip if you want

  • prefer polished studio recordings
  • seek instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 2007, this compilation arrived after Aretha Franklin's celebrated career spanning over four decades. By this time, she was already recognized as the 'Queen of Soul,' and the album highlights her evolution with previously unreleased material from the late 1960s to early 1970s, showcasing her pivotal years at Atlantic Records.
Stylistic neighbors
Gladys Knight· Etta James· Nina Simone
New to Aretha Franklin? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 I Never Loved a Man (the Way I Love You) (demo) 4:04
  • 2 Dr. Feelgood (Love Is a Serious Business) (demo) 4:42
  • 3 Sweet Bitter Love (demo) 5:11
  • 4 It Was You (Aretha Arrives outtake) 3:45
  • 5 The Letter (Aretha Arrives outtake) 3:37
  • 6 So Soon (Aretha Arrives outtake) 2:46
  • 7 Mr. Big (Aretha Now outtake) 2:40
  • 8 Talk to Me, Talk to Me (Soul ’69 outtake) 3:29
  • 9 The Fool on the Hill (This Girl’s in Love With You outtake) 3:30
  • 10 Pledging My Love / The Clock (single B‐Side) 4:13
  • 11 You’re Taking Up Another Man’s Place (Spirit in the Dark outtake) 3:29
  • 12 You Keep Me Hangin’ On (This Girl’s in Love With You / Spirit in the Dark outtake) 3:09
  • 13 I’m Trying to Overcome (This Girl’s in Love With You / Spirit in the Dark outtake) 5:06
  • 14 My Way (Spirit in the Dark outtake) 4:08
  • 15 My Cup Runneth Over (Young, Gifted and Black outtake) 3:21
  • 16 You’re All I Need to Get By (take 1) 0:42
  • 17 You’re All I Need to Get By (take 2) 3:36
  • 18 Lean on Me (single B‐Side) 4:37

Disc 2

  • 1 Rock Steady (alternate mix – Young, Gifted and Black outtake) 4:30
  • 2 I Need a Strong Man (The To‐To Song) (Young, Gifted and Black outtake) 3:56
  • 3 Heavenly Father (Young, Gifted and Black outtake) 5:37
  • 4 Sweetest Smile and the Funkiest Style (Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky) outtake) 3:47
  • 5 This Is (Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky) outtake) 3:36
  • 6 Tree of Life (Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky) outtake) 5:12
  • 7 Do You Know (Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky) outtake) 2:48
  • 8 Can You Love Again (Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky) outtake) 2:40
  • 9 I Want to Be With You (Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky) outtake) 6:02
  • 10 Suzanne (Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky) outtake) 5:13
  • 11 That’s the Way I Feel About Cha (alternate version – Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky) (outtake)) 5:45
  • 12 Ain’t but the One 6:07
  • 13 The Happy Blues (Let Me in Your Life outtake) 2:28
  • 14 At Last (Let Me in Your Life outtake) 3:24
  • 15 Love Letters (Let Me in Your Life outtake) 4:02
  • 16 I’m in Love (alternate vocal – Let Me in Your Life outtake) 3:01
  • 17 Are You Leaving Me (demo) 4:22

What to play next

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Jewels in the Crown: All-Star Duets with the Queen

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Full Aretha Franklin discography Where to start with Aretha Franklin Artists like Aretha Franklin
funk jazz pop rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata