Unforgettable: Tribute to Dinah Washington
The myth that Columbia Records producers kept Aretha from finding her soul on disc has largely been discredited, and albums such as the 1964Unforgettableare a big reason why. Working with a small, surprisingly tough rhythm section, Franklin delivers highly personalized renditions of 10 songs associated with the greatDinah Washington, who'd passed just months before. The material ranges from pop standards toHank WilliamsandBessie Smithnumbers, paralleling Aretha's own eclecticism. This CD edition also includes "Lee Cross," a hip, joyous single cut at the sessions.--Rickey Wright