Ramblin’/Today I Sing The Blues/River’s Invitation/Pitiful/Crazy He Calls Me/Bring It On Home To Me/Tracks Of My Tears/If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody/Gentle On My Mind/So Long/I’ll Never Be Free/Elusive Butterfly
Soul 69 was the fifth of the classic Aretha Franklin Atlantic albums released during an eighteen months period that found her on peak creative form and which established her reputation. (US:15)
"There aren’t any big hits, none of the iconic Franklin performances, but song by song, number by number, performances by performance it is as good as anything she ever recorded. Jerry Wexler said it should have been call Aretha Jazz and there are a series of fine jazz musicians working on the album – as a jazz fan, maybe this is the reason I like it so much, but I don’t think it is."
"Although it is a soul album, a 100% soul album, the material comes from soul, blues, jazz and pop sources – there is an openness that soul or jazz fans don’t necessarily show. And Franklin is superb. I have complained in other reviews about rock singers who seem to parody blues singing by their constant shouting, their performing on only one level – Franklin also tends to work on one level: intense."
"Soul '69 combines the singer's great jazz, blues and pop instincts to produce a fusion that sounds like nothing in her extensive catalogue. The recording's title is oddly misleading, providing little clue as to what this remarkable song package really offers. The wailing vocals, bluesy and jazzy, echoed by the screaming horn arrangements, and the big band productions offer some remarkable interpretations and rearrangements to a list of some well chosen contemporary songs. Aretha has never sounded so inspired. I have returned to this masterpiece many times."
"Personally, I think the album is awesome. Granted, Franklin is without peer when it comes to soul, R & B and probably even gospel but to hear her tackle jazz is a pure delight. She sounds vocally free, unfettered, unrestrained and sounds like she's enjoying every minute."
"Wedged between a whole string of classics, this one doesn't quite match up. Aretha sings divinely, but the choice of material leaves something to be desired Gentle On My Mind is a fine song, but not exactly Aretha's cup of tea, and as for Elusive Butterfly...well."
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