Respect: Aretha's Influences And Inspiration

* All great artists have their influences and inspiration. Aretha Franklin, named very recently as the Greatest Singer of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine, is no exception. * Her fans will be familiar with the songs on this collection, but maybe not these versions. Spanning the years 1948-1972, highlights include `Try A Little Tenderness' by the influential Little Miss Cornshucks, `Drown In My Own Tears' by Aretha's hero Ray Charles, Helen Humes' original of `Today I Sing The Blues' and `Sit Down And Cry' by unsung soul heroine Jean Wells. * Comprising originals of songs made famous by the "Queen of Soul" during her first two decades as a recording artist, or in some cases the versions she grew up loving, the two-dozen R&B, soul and gospel recordings here, many of them performed by her favourite artists, helped influence and inspire Aretha to become the great singer she is. * Compiled and annotated by Mick Patrick and Malcolm Baumgart.