Aretha: With The Ray Bryant Combo

Aretha: With The Ray Bryant Combo
Studio album by Aretha Franklin
Released	1961
Recorded	August 1, 1960 - January 10, 1961
Genre	Jazz, Standarts
Length	32:47
Label	Columbia CS8412
Producer	John H. Hammond
Aretha Franklin chronology
Songs of Faith (1956) Aretha: With The Ray Bryant Combo (1961) The Electrifying Aretha Franklin (1962)

Aretha: With The Ray Bryant Combo is the second album (and debut for Columbia Records) of the future "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin, released in 1961. The album is also known under its working title Right Now It's Aretha.

Recording

Following in the footsteps of close friend Sam Cooke, Aretha was "discovered" by famed Columbia Records producer John H. Hammond. With the support of her father, Reverend C.L. Franklin, Aretha venured out to New York City's Columbia Record Studios to record her debut album for the label. John Hammond paired Aretha Franklin with the Ray Bryant combo and arranger J. Leslie McFarland, while taking charge of the album's production, which was received to mixed reviews.

The album showcases a young Aretha Franklin (only 18 years old, at the time of these recordings), covering a range of jazz and pop standards. Columbia Records couldn't clearly classify Aretha's sound, as either jazz or pop. Aretha's subsequent albums would show her moving from the realms of both sounds, and audiences as she tries to define her "own soulful sound".

Though rare to find an original 6-eye pressing on vinyl, Columbia Records re-released these sessions and retitled them as "The Great Aretha Franklin: The First 12 Slides", in 1972.

Reception

"The word is out. A magnetic new artist, Aretha Franklin, only a short while away from her father's gospel church in Detroit, has been breaking up audience in theatres and nightclubs throughout the country and on Columbia single records. Combining a completely natural and uninhibited vocal style with an irresistible rhythmic sense, Aretha Franklin has established herself as one of the hottest new performers in show business and one likely to set new standarts in the entertainment industry.

"She doesn't just open the door - she breaks is down."

-From the liner notes by Frank Driggs

Tracks

• The album was recorded at the New York studios of Columbia Records, 207 East 30th Street, except tracks 1 and 4 which were recorded at the company's studios at 799 Seventh Avenue
• All songs produced by John Hammond and arranged by J. Leslie McFarland. Featuring Ray Bryant on piano.

Track listing

Side One

1. "Won't Be Long" (J. Leslie McFarland) 3:12

Recorded on November 29, 1960
With John McFarland, piano; William (Bill) Lee, bass; Belton (Sticks) Evans, drums

2. "Over The Rainbow" (Harold Arlen, E.Y. Harburg) 2:42

Recorded on August 1, 1960
With Chauncey (Lord) Westbrook, Clifton (Skeeter) Best, guitar; William (Bill) Lee, bass; Osie Johnson, drums; Tyree Glenn, trombone

3. "Love Is The Only Thing" (J. Leslie McFarland) 2:44

Recorded on August 1, 1960
With Chauncey (Lord) Westbrook, Clifton (Skeeter) Best, guitar; William (Bill) Lee, bass; James Osie Johnson, drums; Tyree Glenn, trombone; Paul Owens, vocal obbligato

4. "Sweet Lover" (J. Leslie McFarland, Sidney Wyche) 3:26

Recorded on December 19, 1960
With William (Bill) Lee, bass; Belton (Sticks) Evans, drums

5. "All Night Long" (Curtis Lewis) 3:01

Recorded on November 17, 1960
With Chauncey (Lloyd) Westbrook, guitar; Bill Lee, bass; Belton (Sticks) Evans, drums; Al Sears, tenor saxophone; Quentin Jackson, trombone

6. "Who Needs You?" (Billie Holiday, Jeanne Burns) 2:50

Recorded on January 10, 1961
With Aretha Franklin, piano; Al Sears, tenor saxophone; Chauncey (Lloyd) Westbrook, guitar; Milton John (Milt) Hinton, bass; Belton (Sticks) Evans, drums

Side Two

1. "Right Now" (J. Leslie McFarland) 2:27

Recorded on August 1, 1960
With Clifton (Skeeter) Best, guitar; William (Bill) Lee, bass; James Osie Johnson, drums; Tyree Glenn, trombone

2. "Are You Sure" (Meredith Wilson) 2:44

From the Broadway musical production of The Unsinkable Molly Brown
Recorded on January 10, 1961
With Aretha Franklin, piano; Al Sears, tenor saxophone; Chauncey (Lloyd) Westbrook, guitar; Milton John (Milt) Hinton, bass; Belton (Sticks) Evans, drums

3. "Maybe I'm A Fool" (J. Leslie McFarland) 3:20

Working title: "Baby, I'm A Fool"
Recorded on January 10, 1961
With Aretha Franklin, piano; Al Sears, tenor saxophone; Chauncey (Lloyd) Westbrook, guitar; Milton John (Milt) Hinton, bass; Belton (Sticks) Evans, drums

4. "It Ain't Necessarily So" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) 2:57

With Lucky Warren, tenor saxophone; Chauncey (Lord) Westbrook, guitar; William (Bill) Lee, bass; Belton (Sticks) Evans, drums

5. "By Myself" (J. Leslie McFarland, J. Bailey) 2:42

Working title: "(Blue) By Myself"
Recorded on November 17, 1960
With Chauncey (Lloyd) Westbrook, guitar; William (Bill) Lee, bass; Belton (Sticks) Evans, drums; Al Sears, tenor saxophone; Quentin Jackson, trombone

6. "Today I Sing The Blues (Curtis Lewis) 2:47

Recorded on August 1, 1960
With Chauncey (Lord) Westbrook, Clifton (Skeeter) Best, guitar; William (Bill) Lee, bass; James Osie Johnson, drums; Tyree Glenn, trombone

Bonus Tracks

1. "Are You Sure (Rehearsal)" 2:17

Producer John Hammond announces the take number.

2. "Who Needs You? (Take 9)" 3:03

3. "Right Now (Take 1)" 2:13

With Aretha Franklin on piano.

4. "Maybe I'm A Fool (Take 4)" 3:57

Mono Mixes

1. "By Myself" 2:39
2. "Won't Be Long" 2:54
3. "All Night Long" 3:06
4. "Love Is The Only Thing" 2:44
5. "Right Now" 2:22