Various - Respect, Arethas Influences and Inspiration

all great artists have their influences and inspiration. aretha franklin, named very recently as the greatest singer of all time by rolling stone magazine, is no exception. her fans will be familiar with the songs on this collection, but maybe not these versions. spanning the years 1948-1972, highlights include 'try a little tenderness' by the influential 'little miss cornshucks', 'drown in my own tears' by aretha's hero ray charles, helen humes original of 'today i sing the blues' and 'sit down and cry' by unsung soul heroine jean wells. comprising originals of songs made famous by the queen of soul during her first two decades as a recording artist, or in some cases the versions she grew up loving, the two-dozen r&b, soul and gospel recordings here, many of them performed by her favourite artists, helped influence and inspire aretha to become the great singer she is. compiled and annotated by mick patrick and malcolm baumgart.