Aretha Franklin - Aretha's Best

It may not be the best, but its close

Aretha Franklin has had more hits than tis, but how many are you going to find that have jump to it and who's zoomin who on the same album. If anyone knows speak up. These were 2 of my favorites and getting both on the same album is nearly impossible. By the way the sound quality is also good. February 22, 2007

excellent album

I love Aretha and this cd is the greatest, with hit after hit. The quality is great, too. The shipping was quick, too. February 8, 2007

Loved this collection!

I loved this collection just as much as the boxed set for Atlantic Records! This is a good budget-conscious release for those who can't afford to plunk $50-60 for the wonderful 86-song set. The compilation producer smartly compiled Aretha's Atlantic hits from the 60s/70s and her Arista hits from the '80s. While not in chronological order, it does mix her hits in a sonic and cohesive way, how her soulful voice sings through the different songs, musicians, producers and arrangements. One song that I heard for the very first time was The House That Jack Built, a #6 charted hit that came between the Respect and Call Me hits period. It's just as superb a song as the more recognizable hits of Freeway of Love, Jump to It, Spanish Harlem, Daydreaming and many others. Still love the duet that she did with George Michael, 1986's I Knew You Were Waiting For Me. I heard a that lot during a road trip to Orlando, Florida in April 1987. At that time, it was a No. 1 pop hit. Throughout, this collection demonstrates why Aretha is a dynamic song stylist who can holler, whoop, and soar through these performances. A true testament of the Queen of Soul! July 9, 2006

The best CD available!

This CD has it all! This is the best of all songs recorded by Aretha, if you are a fan, you can't pass this one up! March 13, 2006

The Best Aretha Franklin Collection To Date

Aretha Franklin has yet to have a definitive, career spanning compilation. You'd think an artist of her stature would by now have a two disc compilation or, better yet, a boxed set that spans her entire career form her early years up to today, and yet, it hasn't happened.

The best collection to date is Rhino's single disc, 21 song "Aretha's Best". How does it hold up? Read on for the positives and the negatives.

Positives:
-Most of Aretha's biggest hits and best knowns songs are included, such as "Respect", "Think", "Freeway Of Love", "A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like)", "I Say A Little Prayer", "Spanish Harlem" and "Chain Of Fools" are included.
-The liner notes are a great read.
-The sound quality is great.
-It's affordable and easy to find.

Negatives:
-Too many great songs are missing, many of which are top forty hits, including "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody", "Ain't No Way", "See Saw", "The Weight", "Share Your Love With Me", "Eleanor Rigby", "Spirit In The Dark", "Don't Play That Song", "Border Song", "You're All I Need To Get By", "Brand New Me", "Angel", "I'm In Love", "Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves" (her popular collaboration with The Eurythmics), "Through The Storm" (her underrated duet with Elton John), "Willing To Forgive", and "A Rose Is Still A Rose". As you can see, this set should have had at least been two discs worth of material.
-None of her gospel material is included. Why???

So, as you can see, this collection is far from perfect. But if you only want one Aretha Franklin cd in your collection, this should suit you for now. December 27, 2005

More reviews at Amazon.com ...