Aretha Franklin’s Album “Songs of Faith: Aretha Gospel”

Aretha Franklin Celebrated By Geffen/UMe With Restored Album, ‘Songs Of Faith: Aretha Gospel,’ To Be Released On Vinyl & Digitally On March 22, Just Before Franklin’s March 25 Birthday

Classic Album Encompasses Franklin’s Earliest Recordings From 1956, Captured Live at Detroit’s New Bethel Baptist Church

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Universally hailed as the Queen of Soul, the late Aretha Franklin is one of music’s most beloved icons. In celebration of Franklin’s timeless, brilliant legacy, Geffen/UMe has restored her earliest recordings, collectively known as the album Songs Of Faith: Aretha Gospel, for worldwide black vinyl LP, limited edition white vinyl LP, and digital reissue on March 22, just ahead of her 77th birthday on March 25. Recorded live in 1956 at Detroit’s New Bethel Baptist Church when Franklin was just 14 years old, the album showcases her prodigiously powerful, other-worldly renditions of gospel standards.

Universally hailed as the Queen of Soul, the late Aretha Franklin is one of music’s most beloved icons. In celebration of Franklin’s timeless, brilliant legacy, Geffen/UMe has restored her earliest recordings, collectively known as the album ‘Songs Of Faith: Aretha Gospel,’ for worldwide black vinyl LP, limited edition white vinyl LP, and digital reissue on March 22, just ahead of her 77th birthday on March 25. Recorded live in 1956 at Detroit’s New Bethel Baptist Church when Franklin was 14.

Preorder Songs Of Faith: Aretha Gospel: https://UMe.lnk.to/ArethaGospelPR

This newly restored and remastered edition of Songs Of Faith: Aretha Gospel returns the album to vinyl for the first time in decades, with striking new cover art, a new essay by Aretha Franklin biographer David Ritz, and a detailed history of the tracks’ various releases.

“Aretha is a gift from God. When it comes to expressing yourself through song, there is no one who can touch her.” – Mary J. Blige

In 1956, when the album’s tracks were recorded at New Bethel Baptist Church, Aretha Franklin was a 14-year-old gospel singing sensation. She performed, accompanying herself on piano, as the opening act for her celebrated father, Rev. C. L. Franklin, whose recorded sermons were million-sellers. Aretha’s performances were first issued as singles in the 1950s, followed by LP releases by Chess/Checker.

Aretha Franklin: Songs Of Faith: Aretha Gospel [Vinyl LP; Digital]

Side One
1. There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood
2. Precious Lord (Part One)
3. Precious Lord (Part Two)
4. You Grow Closer
5. Never Grow Old

Side Two
1. The Day Is Past And Gone
2. He Will Wash You White As Snow
3. While The Blood Runs Warm
4. Yield Not To Temptation

SOURCE Geffen/UMe