Spirit in the Dark

Spirit in the Dark is the seventeenth studio album by American singer Aretha Franklin, released on August 24, 1970 by Atlantic Records. It received critical acclaim, but was met with middling sales, despite having two hit singles, "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)", which peaked at #1 R&B, #11 on the Hot 100, and "Spirit in the Dark", peaking at #3 R&B and #23 Hot 100, in Billboard magazine. It was Aretha's first Atlantic album to fall short of Billboard's Top 20, but it is now considered to be one of Aretha's classic Atlantic LPs.

Spirit in the Dark
Studio album by
Aretha Franklin
ReleasedAugust 24, 1970[1]
RecordedMay 26–27, 1969[2]
October 3, 1969[3]-March 10, 1970[4]
GenreSoul, R&B
Length40:28
LabelAtlantic (#8265),
Rhino (1993 Re-release)
ProducerTom Dowd, Arif Mardin, Jerry Wexler
Aretha Franklin chronology
This Girl's in Love with You
(1970)		 Spirit in the Dark
(1970)		 Aretha Live at Fillmore West
(1971)
Singles from Spirit in the Dark
  1. "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)"
    Released: May, 1970
  2. "Spirit in the Dark"/"The Thrill Is Gone"
    Released: August, 1970
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[5]
Christgau's Record GuideA[6]
Pitchfork9.0/10[7]
Rolling Stone(favorable) [8]

In 1993, Rhino Records re-issued this album on compact disc.[1] Despite not released as a single, her song "Try Matty's" is best known as the jingle for radio host Matt Siegel to Boston's Kiss 108.[9]

Track listing

Unless otherwise indicated, Information is based on the album's Liner Notes[1][10]

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Don't Play That Song"Ahmet Ertegün, Betty Nelson3:02
2."The Thrill Is Gone (From Yesterday's Kiss)"Rick Darnell, Roy Hawkins,[11] Art Benson, Dale Petite4:41
3."Pullin'"Jimmy Radcliffe, Carolyn Franklin,[12] Aretha Franklin3:38
4."You and Me"Aretha Franklin3:34
5."Honest I Do"Jimmy Reed, Ewart Abner Jr.3:19
6."Spirit in the Dark"Aretha Franklin4:03
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
7."When the Battle Is Over"Jessie Hill, Mac Rebennack2:43
8."One Way Ticket"Aretha Franklin2:52
9."Try Matty's"Aretha Franklin2:32
10."That's All I Want from You"Fritz Rotter2:44
11."Oh No Not My Baby"Gerry Goffin, Carole King2:55
12."Why I Sing the Blues"B.B. King, Dave Clark3:05

Personnel

Information is based on the album's Liner Notes[1][10]

Main
  • Aretha Franklin – vocals (5, lead on 1-4, 6-12), piano (1-6, 8-12)
  • Duane Allman – guitar (7)
  • Margaret Branch – background vocals (1-2, 7-8, 11)
  • Brenda Bryant – background vocals (1-2, 7-8, 11)
  • Harold "Hog" Cowart – bass guitar (8-9, 12)
  • Dave Crawford – organ (8-9, 12)
  • Cornell Dupree – guitar (8, 11-12)
  • Buzz Feiten – guitar (1)
  • Evelyn Green – background vocals (3, 9-10, 12)
  • Wylene Ivy – background vocals (3, 9-10, 12)
  • Almeda Lattimore – background vocals (1-3, 9-12)
  • Pat Lewis – background vocals (3, 9-10, 12)
  • Ray Lucas – drums (8, 12)
  • Jimmy O'Rourke – guitar (9)
  • The Sweet Inspirations – background vocals (4, 6)
  • Ron "Tubby" Ziegler – drums (9)
The Dixie Flyers[13]
  • Sammy Creason – drums (1-2, 4, 6, 10)
  • Jim Dickinson[14] – additional keyboards (1-2, 4, 6, 10)
  • Charlie Freeman – guitar (1-2, 4, 6, 10)
  • Tommy McClure – bass guitar (1-2, 4, 6, 10)
  • Michael Utley – additional keyboards (1-2, 4, 6, 10)
Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section[15][16]

Chart History
Name Chart (1970) Peak
position
Spirit in the Dark U.S. Billboard Pop Albums 25
Spirit in the Dark U.S. Top R&B Albums 2

References
  1. Franklin, Aretha. "Spirit in the Dark" (Remastered CD Liner Notes). Rhino. 1993.
  2. Aretha Franklin, etc. "Atlantic Recording Sessions: May 26-27, 1969 (NYC)". Jazz Disco. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  3. Aretha Franklin with Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. "Atlantic Recording Sessions: October 3, 1969 (Miami, FL)". Jazz Disco. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  4. Aretha Franklin with The Dixie Flyers. "Atlantic Recording Sessions: March 10, 1970 (Miami, FL)". Jazz Disco. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  5. Allmusic review
  6. Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: F". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved February 24, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  7. Marino, Nick. "Aretha Franklin Spirit in the Dark". Pitchfork. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  8. Amatneek, Bill (November 12, 1970). "Aretha Franklin: Spirit in the Dark : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2014-01-17.
  9. Mosley, Holly (24 August 2018). "Album of the Week...'Spirit in the Dark'". Contactmusic.com.
  10. Franklin, Aretha. "Spirit in the Dark" (Original Album Notes). Atlantic. 1970.
  11. Franklin, Aretha (2003). "The Thrill Is Gone (1970)". Second Hand Songs. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  12. Franklin, Aretha. "You're All I Need to Get By" (Single). Atlantic. 1971.
  13. Donn, Larry (12 September 2019). "Rockabilly Days: Sammy Creason". Delta Boogie.
  14. Harris, Craig (12 September 2019). "Biography: The Dixie Flyers". Allmusic.
  15. Kurutz, Steve. "Biography: Jimmy Johnson". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  16. Potter, Jeff. "Roger Hawkins: The Pulse of Muscle Shoals". Modern Drummer. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  17. Michael B. Smith and Roxanne Crutcher (May 2000). "The Most Important Things in Life are Rock & Roll...and a Hot Carr..." Swampland.com.



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