One of the prior reviewers was right on point when mentioning that this set is all about The Voice.

ARETHA IN PARIS has gotten bad press from day one because of the band. Granted, they are not the best and they are downright wretched in a few spots. They are wooden and not the best fit at all for Aretha's approach to music and her style of singing.

But ...

Aretha's talent -- especially in 1968 -- was (and is) bright enough to overcome a band not being what they should be. Aretha's fire, emotion, and the quality of The Voice makes this album a keeper. I think this version of Soul Serenade outdoes the studio take. Her vocal acrobatics and timing are amazing and always artistic .. not this overdone mess that passes for "sanging" nowadays.

The pace of the album is frenetic too, something else that has drawn criticism. Many of the uptempo songs are a notch or two faster than the originals. Well, I'm here to tell you that until the past 10 years or so Aretha always did that in concert. Is Ree "rushing" through the cuts or did she just add a little espresso to them? I guess each person would have to answer that for themselves. But in my opinion, it's just yet another reflection of her gospel roots, and I love the breakneck pace of Respect, Come Back Baby, and others.

As usual, when Aretha decides to accompany herself on piano ... watch out. She does so on a few songs here, including the staple Dr. Feelgood.

Subpar band aside, ARETHA IN PARIS is worth the time and money just to hear what is arguably the greatest voice of our lifetime.

Aretha's backing band on this live disc is dreadful. Out of time, out of tune, and quite sloppy. But that VOICE ! She sounds superb. The only flub is at the begining of "Don't Let Me Lose This Dream" where she comes in kinda late with a spoken intro. But she absolutely nails the songs from her first few albums. I especially love the opening number "Satisfaction" , the Rolling Stones song is given the Aretha Treatment, with the Sweet Inspirations offering back up in a call and response style. While the band sounds better on her Live at the Fillmore set, this is a worthwhile effort, if you like her early Atlantic work. ( The only reason I dock this one point is because of the band. )

the title of this review is the jeopardyesque answer to the question that the music of this album brings forth. this album of music on cd format is soul music at it's zentith on display and should be considered a compulsary for music collectors and lovers. consider the first four songs performed on this album, they are not aretha's hit songs but they are aretha's best singing, also notice the background singers performance on satisfaction (i can't no) and come back baby, that's an example of soul musics church roots. i can't believe i'm the first one to review this cd, and i hope i am not the only who's looking for it, this performance is a gem and you will not be sorry for purchasing this cd. i gave it a 5 star rating with extreme partiality for a very good reason, if i may quote an old american folk saying: it's bad!

We ALL must agree Aretha was on a Serious Roll during this time...Her Singles were going #1 and/or Top Ten on Billboard, And ALL of her Albums were flying off the shelves! So why not release a Live Album??? Almost every company has done this either too soon or too late. In this case too soon. There was no Unreleased or Never-Heard-Before-Songs (Not even one!), So for those who already had her First Four Atlantic albums wasn't in a hurry to go grab this one. The backing band is so-so, as always her vocals shine throughout....But must of us was waiting for the next Studio Project or even another 'Live' that was worth talking about (Later we got the "Live At Fillmore West" project that was worth talking about!!!). So just to add to your collection for the purpose of saying "I Own It"...get it, but to go the 'Extra mile' looking for it....That's another story.

When Aretha Franklin overcame her fear of flying long enough to swing through Europe for a two-week tour, ARETHA IN PARIS was the brilliant by-product. This exquisite slice of Lady Soul's spectacular presence in a live setting came at a time when she was making her mark as the Queen Of Soul. Backed by a full orchestra and a trio of vocalists that included sister Carolyn, Franklin played a set consisting of material that was barely a year old.

On Willie Nelson's "Night Life," the legendary singer can be heard preaching her sorrow to the crowd (she had temporarily separated with husband Ted White that night). Regardless of any pain she may have been going through that night, Franklin's energy never flags as she rips into energetic versions of Ray Charles' "Come Back Baby" and Otis Redding's "Respect." Most impressive are renditions of her own soul classics such as "Dr. Feelgood (Love Is A Serious Business)" and "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)," both which benefit from slow build-ups and spine-tingling finales.