Aretha Franklin had been a major R&B voice since her first Atlantic album, and was considered a major star, after Grammy awards and TV appearances, but the 3 night booking at the Fillmore was designed to cement her "crossover appeal to Rock audiences.
Those 3 February 1971 nights in San Francisco came as Aretha was fighting back from both professional and personal low points - sales had slumped as Aretha went through a divorce from Ted White in late 1969, losing both her husband and manager as a result. They were to provide a springboard which saw Aretha fly as high as ever, with the single release of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" in April 1971, which went Gold.
Atlantic recorded all 3 nights, taking most of the original album from the first night, other than the encore from the final performance when Ray Charles joins Aretha for a duet on "Spirit In the Dark". All those tracks are here on disc one, plus the songs that didn't make the final cut and alternate versions on disc 2. In fact, there was another live album culled from these sessions for King Curtis, who was both opening act and support for Aretha. When you add in the Memphis Horns as further backing for the Queen of Soul, it is hardly surprising that she conquered the Fillmore.
Tracklist Disc: 1 (Original Album)
1. Respect
2. Love The One You're With
3. Bridge Over Troubled Water
4. Eleanor Rigby
5. Make It With You
6. Don't Play That Song
7. Dr Feelgood
8. Spirit In The Dark
9. Spirit In The Dark (Ft. Ray Charles)
10. Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)
Tracklist Disc: 2 (Alternate Takes and Unused Songs)
1. Respect
2. Call Me
3. Mixed Up Girl
4. Love The One You're With
5. Bridge Over Troubled Water
6. Share Your Love With Me
7. Eleanor Rigby
8. Make It With You
9. You're All I Need To Get By
10. Don't Play That Song
11. Dr Feelgood
12. Spirit In The Dark
13. Spirit In The Dark (Reprise)
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