Aretha on fire Her top five by Neil Mccormick

1. Respect (1967) Otis Redding wrote it, Aretha made it a civil rights anthem that resounds to this day. 2. (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (1967) Goffin & King’s killer ballad is transported into a heavenly realm by Aretha’s oh-so-weary verses. 3. Good To Me As I Am To You (1967) Eric Clapton wandered into the session to add stinging lead to Aretha’s smoky blues. 4. Spirit In The Dark (1970)

Aretha’s never more compelling than when she gets wrapped up in call and response with other vocalists, as she does on the (selfcomposed) title track of 1970 masterpiece. 5. Young Gifted & Black (1972)

Aretha builds Nina Simone’s proud anthem into a gospel soul epic.