Is Unforgettable: A Tribute to Dinah Washington a good place to start with Aretha Franklin?

Yes, Unforgettable: A Tribute to Dinah Washington is recommended as a starting point for new Aretha Franklin listeners. A soulful homage where jazz-inflected arrangements frame Aretha's powerful vocals, honoring the legendary Dinah Washington. By 1964, Aretha Franklin was transitioning into her role as the 'Queen of Soul' following her breakthrough with 'I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)' in 1967. 'Unforgettable: A Tribute to Dinah Washington' came at a time when she was solidifying her artistic identity and expanding her repertoire beyond gospel into more mainstream genres. This album marked a significant moment in her career as it showcased her ability to reinterpret classics with deep emotional resonance.

Who is Unforgettable: A Tribute to Dinah Washington for?

Unforgettable: A Tribute to Dinah Washington works well if you're into steady emotional explorations throughout, intimate moments of soulful reflection and for quiet evenings.

How many songs are on Unforgettable: A Tribute to Dinah Washington?

Unforgettable: A Tribute to Dinah Washington has 11 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Unforgettable: A Tribute to Dinah Washington

Aretha Franklin · 1964

40 min · 11 tracks · funk

A soulful homage where jazz-inflected arrangements frame Aretha's powerful vocals, honoring the legendary Dinah Washington.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Unforgettable Start here — The title track not only captures the essence of Washington's legacy but also showcases Aretha’s stunning vocal range and emotive delivery, making it a defining moment on the album.
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Cold, Cold Heart — Aretha's rendition transforms this Hank Williams classic into a soulful lament that highlights her ability to convey deep emotional pain through her voice.
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What a Diff’rence a Day Made — In this track, Franklin's expressive phrasing and rich tone breathe new life into the song, illustrating how she can infuse traditional material with contemporary relevance.
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This Bitter Earth — This poignant ballad is delivered with raw emotion, showcasing Aretha's interpretative depth and ability to connect with listeners on an intimate level.
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Evil Gal Blues — Franklin's playful yet powerful performance here demonstrates her command over blues-inflected material, giving it a fresh spin while paying tribute to Washington's influence.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

Aretha's tribute blends jazz and soul with strong arrangements, showcasing her vocal range and honoring Dinah Washington.

What we noticed

The album opens with a lush orchestral arrangement on 'Unforgettable', setting a sophisticated tone that persists throughout.
Aretha's vocal delivery varies from powerful belting to soft, intimate moments, particularly evident in tracks like 'What a Diff’rence a Day Made'.
Several tracks feature intricate jazz-inflected arrangements, with prominent brass and string sections complementing her voice.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady emotional explorations throughout
intimate moments of soulful reflection
for quiet evenings
richly layered vocal performances
nostalgic warmth and depth

Maybe skip if you

prefer upbeat dance tracks
seek instant gratification in music

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — A solid tribute showcasing versatility, but not a defining album in her catalog.
Themes: soulful homage· jazz-inflected arrangements· emotional reinterpretation
Moods: Introspective· Nostalgic
Career context: By 1964, Aretha Franklin was transitioning into her role as the 'Queen of Soul' following her breakthrough with 'I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)' in 1967. 'Unforgettable: A Tribute to Dinah Washington' came at a time when she was solidifying her artistic identity and expanding her repertoire beyond gospel into more mainstream genres. This album marked a significant moment in her career as it showcased her ability to reinterpret classics with deep emotional resonance.
Stylistic neighbors: Gladys Knight· Etta James· Nina Simone