Songs of Faith Aretha Gospel

Description

Like many of her peers, Aretha Franklins career began in the church, and it is this period of her career that is the subject of this historical and captivating 1956 recorded album. With the aid of local Detroit record label JVB, primitive and basic recording equipment was installed into the New Bethel Baptist Church where her father was minister. Nine tracks were recorded, featuring a 14-year old Aretha on vocals and piano accompaniment, with others in the congregation offering words of encouragement during the course of the recording. The tracks Never Grow Old b/w You Grow Closer and Precious Lord (Part One) b/w Precious Lord (Part Two) comprised Arethas first two singles. Originally issued as Songs of Faith on Checker Records in 1965, MCA reissued the album on CD in 1991 as Aretha Gospel. Reissued here on vinyl for the first time in decades with restored audio, an essay by biographer David Ritz and a detailed history of the tracks various releases.