Aretha Franklin – The Queen of Soul (Atlantic/Rhino) – When record exec John Hammond first heard Aretha Franklin, he said she had the greatest voice he’d heard since Billie Holiday. Aretha’s inspired voice is in full evidence on this thrilling 4-CD set of songs from her classic Atlantic albums from the ’60s and ’70s. Favorites abound, like “Respect,” “Think,” “Rock Steady” and “A Natural Woman.” There are some solid outtakes (including “My Way”) and a spirited live duet with Ray Charles on “Spirit In The Dark.” Steeped in soul, funk, gospel and blues, there is still only one Queen of Soul. This collection makes that case clearly.
