Genre: soul
Rating: ***** (5 stars)
Title: I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Company: Atlantic
Catalog: 8193
Year: 1967
Country/State: US
Grade (cover/record): VG+ /VG+
Comments: mono pressing
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5009
Price: $20.00
Cost: $66.00
This is one of the few albums that I've actually gone out of my way to find in both mono and stereo formats ... it is that good !!!
Having recorded six money losing albums for Columbia, in late 1966 Aretha Franklin signed with Atlantic Records. In this day of megabuck deals it is mind boggling to discover that the deal put $25K in her pocket.
Team with producer Jerry Wexler, Franklin's initial recording sessions took place at Rick Hall's Fame Studios with support from the famed Muscle Shoals rhythm section. Unfortunately the sessions got off to a rocky start when Franklin's husband Ted White got into an argument with the some of the local sessions players. The rest of the sessions took place in New York. Luckily the damage wasn't lasting since "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You" stands as one of popular music's all time classic albums. So what is there to say about one of music's most celebrated releases? For what they're worth (little if anything), my thoughts ... Having heard most of her Columbia work, credit producer Wexler for realizing Franklin needed to be placed in a tougher R&B/soul environment. Similarly, congratulations to Atlantic for allowing Franklin to select much of the material herself (including the title track), as well as allowing her to record several original tracks ('Don't Let Me Lose This Dream' and 'Baby, Baby, Baby'). The end results are simply stunning with Franklin showing her ability to handle everything from rock ('Save Me'), R&B ('Drown In My Own Tears') light jazz ('Soul serenade') and even a bossa nova groove on the original ('Don't Let Me Lose This Dream'). Tasteful and full of grace and self-assurance, Franklin's never sounded as good. And for goodness sakes, what do you say about the album's top-10 singles? Anyone hearing her dazzling cover of Otis Redding's 'Respect' will instantly understand why Redding was quoted as saying 'That girl stole the song from me'.
- 'I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)' b/w 'Do Right Woman, Do Right Man' (Atlantic catalog number 45-2386)
- 'Respect' b/w 'Dr. Feelgood' (Atlantic catalog number 45-2403)
All hyperbole aside, if you don't own this album find a copy (or download it). It is one of those albums you need to hear before you pass on.
"I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Respect (Otis Redding) - 2:26
2.) Drown In My Own Tears (Henry Glover) - 4:00
3.) I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) (Ronny Shannon) - 2:47
4.) Soul Serenade (Curtis Ousley - Luther Dixon) - 2:30
5.) Don't Let Me Lose This Dream (Aretha Franklin - Ted White) - 2:22
6.) Baby, Baby, Baby (Aretha Franklin - Carolyn Franklin) - 2:48
(side 1)
1.) Dr. Feelgood (Love Is a Serious Business) (Aretha Franklin - Ted White) - 3:18
2.) Good Times (Sam Cooke) - 2:05
3.) Do Right Woman, Do Right Man (Dan Penn - Chips Moman) - 3:15
4.) Save Me (Curtis Ousley - Aretha Franklin - Carolyn Franklin) - 2:20
5.) A Change Is Gonna Come (Sam Cooke) - 4:15