Spirit In The Dark

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Sample Album
Spirit In The Dark album cover
Album Information
  • Artist: Aretha Franklin (See All Albums by Aretha Franklin)

  • Date Released: Jun 30, 1975

  • Genre: Rock/Pop, Style: Pop

  • Label: Rhino Atlantic

  • Copyright: 1970 Atlantic Recording Corp., manufactured and marketed by Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company

Total Tracks: 12   Total Length: 39:11

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Douglas Wolk

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Douglas Wolk writes about pop music and comic books for Time, the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Wired and elsewhere. He's the author of Reading Comics: How Gra...more »

01.11.10
As cheerful, and as hard-rocking, as Aretha ever got
1975 | Label: Rhino Atlantic

The spirit might be the Christian kind, or it might refer to something else that happens in the dark. Whatever this 1970 album's radiant title track means, it seems to have done wonders for Aretha, whose singing is re-invigorated — "Don't Play That Song" (a #1 single for her) and "The Thrill Is Gone" are both kiss-offs, but she sounds delighted about it, even mischievous. Her original songs are more cheerful than she's been in years ("Try Matty's" is a tribute to a favorite neighborhood joint), her sister Carolyn contributes a terrific erotic/churchy throwaway called "Pullin'," and "When the Battle Is Over," featuring guitar from Duane Allman, is the hardest Aretha's ever rocked.

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In a word...

Hellpups

... brilliant... no question she's the "Queen of Soul" and this album proves it... much more confident and assured that earlier efforts...

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Masterpiece

EMUSIC-00582AB7

This album is one of the finest soul records ever made, and one of Aretha's best.

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eMusic Features

They Say All Music Guide

Spirit in the Dark was one of Aretha Franklin’s more overlooked albums from her Atlantic prime, despite the inclusion of a couple hit singles (the title track and “Don’t Play That Song”). The disc includes five of her own compositions (the most she ever recorded for a single album) and her usual eclectic choice of cover material. On this record, the covers ranged from B.B. King and Dr. John to Jimmy Reed and Goffin/King’s “Oh Not My Baby.” The album also benefits from great backup players: Both the Muscle Shoals rhythm section and the Dixie Flyers contributed to the sessions, and Duane Allman lends his guitar to a couple of tracks. Though it doesn’t rank with her very best Atlantic LPs, it’s an exuberant and remarkably consistent effort. The 1993 CD reissue has detailed liner notes on the songs and sessions by David Nathan. – Richie Unterberger

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