Columbia Records 360 Sound Stereo "Black" 1964
As a tribute to the recently departed Dinah Washington, called by many the Queen of the Blues, the future Queen of Soul recorded many of her best known songs in 1964. Needless to say the young Aretha puts her own vocal stamp on these songs, improvising lyrics here and there, and altering vocal melodies to suit her own style. That is but one of her many gifts. ( Her own songwriting and her piano playing are both quite noteworthy.) But it's the music on "Unforgettable" that some might find slightly pedestrian and "adult" in their arrangements. True, that is the one weak link in a lot of her Columbia material . But I think there are many moments of incredible musical intensity here. The organ and drum fueled "Nobody Knows the Way Feel This Morning" just smokes. The mournful trombone solo that begins "Don't Say You're Sorry Again" sets the tone for the lyric perfectly. The title track itself begins just as many of the songs on the album do; slowly the strings and the spare combo begins, building and blending with the first few somewhat under sung verses, until the vocals and instruments reach a fever pitch and almighty is let loose for the finale. "Drinking Again" , "This Bitter Earth " and "What A Diff'rence a Day Made" all follow this same pattern. Her take on "Cold Cold Heart" actually manages to rival the original Dinah Washington single ( itself a cover of the classic Hank Williams tune ) . While Dinah's versions ( she recorded this song a number of times ) featured bland backing vocals from a chorus of what sounds like a terribly uptight all white church choir, Aretha belts this number like her life depended on it. The music is spare, and the just-behind-the-beat rhythm puts her voice front and center. A worthy addition to your Aretha collection, and a real keeper. I think this is one of her finest Columbia albums, when taken as a whole. Very Highly recommended.
Side 1.
1. Unforgettable
2. Cold, Cold Heart
3. What A Diff'rence A Day Made
4. Drinking Again
5. Nobody Knows The Way I Feel This Morning
Side 2.
1. Evil Gal Blues
2. Don't Say You're Sorry Again
3. This Bitter Earth
4. If I Should Lose You
5. Soulville
Available Options:
Option:
Vinyl Condition:
