I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You

Yeah, I've always been a fan of Aretha's. But I gained a new appreciation for her upon hearing this soul landmark. It's seriously up there with those Sly Stone and Stevie Wonder classics. She is, simply, the ultimate soul singer, with the ultimate soul anthem to her credit: Respect. She took the Otis Redding song and gave it quite the makeover. Sure, Otis' version is great, but this one puts it and any other covers of it to shame and back. The rest of the album lives in Respect's shadow, but there's lots more to like about it: the bluesy title track, for one, as well as moving versions of Do-Right Woman, Do-Right Man and Sam Cooke's oft-covered A Change is Gonna Come. Speaking of covers, I love her versions of Drown in My Own Tears and Good Times. Sure, both are overrecorded, but Aretha somehow gives them personality. And Dr. Feelgood has to be her most underrated. Even a few of the minor tracks (Soul Serenade; Baby, Baby, Baby, Save Me) would've led the way on a lesser album.
Be sure to buy this. I know that most consider soul a more singles-based genre than an album-based one, but there are quite a few good soul LP's out there that deserve the same recognition as the '60's rock classics. This is one of them.

A definite CLASSIC, and I do not use that word loosely. Bought this album when it first came out, and now own the CD. It is timeless. If you like music, any music, then you owe it to yourself to own this record!!! Don't think twice, just buy it.....

Worth checking out on the merit of transcendent hit "Respect" alone, "I Never Loved A Man The Way I Loved You" is one of my favorite soul albums for three main reasons: Aretha's voice, of course, the ripping backing band she's got, and the songs.

Anyone with a radio has probably heard Aretha belt out "Respect" and other hits, but checking out an entire album really enhanced my appreciation of her remarkable voice. Her range and power are extraordinary, and to think of her pounding the keys while singing out her anguish and happiness really makes the album magic. Her lively wailing on "Drown in My Own Tears" is soaked in authenticity, and her sultry readings of the title track and "Dr. Feelgood" make it a surprisingly steamy affair. It's great to hear Aretha pour her sweat, heart, and guts into these songs and hear the soft, hard, fiery and sweet sounds her voice is capable of.

The backing band is tight and spot on--there's some really gnarly blues guitar, for instance, on the title track, and "Save Me" doesn't drop a funk-soaked beat. Throughout the whole album, the saxes and brass shine and accentuate the spaces between Aretha's confessions, illustrating the soul truth that simple is powerful. The background singers also help support Aretha's power with soft harmonies (like on the jazzy "Don't Let Me Lose This Dream").

Last, the songs are stupendous. Not only does Franklin conquer Otis Redding's "Respect" and cut the definitive version, she also reimagines Sam Cooke's "Good Times" and gives the man a run for his money on her tender reading of "A Change is Gonna Come." Along the way, she also manages to make soul classics out of a few other songwriters' tunes ("Do Right Woman") AND co-write some soul classics of her very own. Serious business indeed.

I love this CD and listen to it all the time--no matter how radio-overplayed "Respect" is, this album still glitters with the magic that created it and remains part of the bedrock of my modest soul collection.

It's a bautiful record, from the best aretha's atlantic period. It's one of the most important r'n'b records of all times...Any more words are not required!!
Roberto from Italy (Tuscany)

In The R&B World, I don't think any woman (or anybody period) has had the influence that Aretha Franklin has had. From, "Respect", to, "Chain Of Fools", to, "Freeway Of Love", Franklin has recorded songs that have become some of the most recognizable in the history of soul. Soul got its start as an outgrowth of R&B that incorporated elements of gospel with powerful vocals and harmonies. Atlantic records was a huge producer of this kind of music and many of the really famous soul singers got their start there. Franklin is no exception and with masterpieces like, "I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You", and, "Lady Soul", Atlantic records was on the music map big time.

Aretha Franklin's soul music combines elements of bitter romance with a sense of humor and irony (excepts on the ballads which were usually dead serious) to create a good time sound that everybody could enjoy. The record, "I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You", was Aretha Franklin's first big hit. And with songs like the woman's anthem, "Respect", the sad blues number, "I Drown In My Own Tears", and the romantic ballad, "Do Right Woman--Do Right Man", its not hard to see why. Franklin plays the piano in many of the songs which was extremely unusual back in those days. Through out rock history there simply have not been nearly as many women playing instruments as there has been men. Franklin along with others such as the Heart sisters and Maureen Tucker of the Velvet Underground have changed that sterotype and today you see far more girls picking up instruments and playing them.

Though this is not the birth of soul (Ray Charles has been credited with his Atlantic recordings) this is defintely a landmark soul and R&B album. Many present day R&B women (and many of the men I must add) would not have had careers had Aretha Franklin not set the standard with this album. A essential recording for any serious fan of soul music.