Aretha Franklin: Lady Soul

January 22^nd 1968 Aretha Franklin released her 2^nd chart-topping album Lady Soul. Produced by the legendary Jerry Wexler. The man who coined the now much abused phrase, Rhythm and Blues and the person who is credited for turning Aretha Franklin's career around from 2^nd rate gospel singer to Queen of Soul.

Opening with Chain Of Fools the album sets out its tone and the soaring abilities of Franklin’s vocals. Chain of Fool’s was the biggest hit from the album, and won her a Grammy award for best female R&B performance.

The 1965 hit for the Temptations People Get Ready was given the Aretha treatment. Curtis Mayfield’s civil rights song is brought to new heights with this extraordinary vocal performance.

Another stand out on this album is Carole King’s You Make Me Feel (Like A Natural Woman) This has become another signature tune for Aretha and she own this song with the emotional depth of her interpretation. The song is a milestone in pop history. The song has been covered by many but none have succeeded to give it what Aretha could (bar of course Carole King)

The album-cemented Franklin’s position as the greatest soul singer of her generation and so it seems of any generation. Her power and ability to interpret songs and the way in which she gave new meaning to every syllable is unrivalled today. Without an album like this, today’s 2 bit warbling pop stars might actually be seen as good or, god forbid, good.

1. Chain of Fools
2. Money Won't Change You
3. People Get Ready
4. Niki Hoeky
5. You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
6. Since You've Been Gone
7. Good to Me As I Am to You
8. Come Back Baby
9. Groovin'
10. Ain't No Way

Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream

Released in 1993 Siamese Dream was the second studio album from Chicago alternative rock out fit The Smashing Pumpkins. Formed in 1988 the band had had some success with their debut album Gish. However it wasn’t until the release of this land mark album that they finally found their feet on the international stage.

The recording of the album was fraught with internal conflict. Jimmy Chamberlain. Jimmy Chamberlain was a heroin addict and was often missing for days without contact. Bassist Darcy Wretzky and second guitarist James Iha had just gone through a very messy break-up. On top of these 2 volatile situations was Billy Corgan (Lead singer and guitarist) who is often described as a tyrant in the studio. Recording all the parts except drums. He himself has come out and admitted that 97 % of the music on a Smashing Pumpkins album is himself and Drummer. Not the most ideal situation to record an album. It took four months and $250,000 to record Siamese Dream with grunge stalwart Butch Vig in the producers chair (Vig produced Nevermind for Nirvana and Dirty for Sonic Youth)

Drawing on a diverse range of styles the music on siames dream was more complex than many of the grunge acts of the time. Corgan had an obsession with Cheap Trick and Irelands very own Thin Lizzy. The album opens with the sensational drumming of Jimmy Chamberlain on Cherub Rock. Corgans quite voice lends itself well in a strange way to the heavy guitars of The Smashing Pumpkins sound and this is most obvious on Cherub Rock. The monster hits from this album Today and Disarm contained all the whingy sentiments that were ideal for the depressed shoe-gazing teenager’s of the early nineties. Happily they were also dam fine tunes. Other Standout tracks on the album include Rocket, Mayonnaise, Quiet and Geek USA.
The album launched the Pumpkins to international fame and as a complete work it is their finest hour.

Track Listing

1. Cherub rock

2. Quiet

3. Today

4. Hummer

5. Rocket

6. Disarm

7. Soma

8. Geek USA

9. Mayonaise

10. Spaceboy

11. Silverfuck

12. Sweet Sweet

13. Luna

Debut - Björk

Right after her breakup with The Sugarcubes, Björk kicked off her solo career in 1993, with her appropriately enough titled Debut. Her actual debut album was released in 1977, simply titled Björk, but that was when she was still in music school, well before the heady days of The Sugarcubes fame.
Soul II Soul Producer Nellee Hooper brought a dance edge to the record, that, matched with Björk's unmistakable voice, provided her with an international hit record.
While the singles were gaining approval on the underground dance-floor scene, the accompanying music videos to the singles also wowed critics, Human Behaviour, Venus As A Boy, Play Dead, Big Time Sensuality, and Violently Happy all showing the singers tricky slightly wacky side in different lights, and heralding a collaborative and artistic approach to her work that continues today.
Track Listing
1. Human Behaviour
2. Crying
3. Venus As A Boy
4. There's More To Life Than This - (live)
5. Like Someone In Love
6. Big Time Sensuality
7. One Day
8. Aeroplane
9. Come To Me
10. Violently Happy
11. Anchor Song, The