Though the original LP was certainly worth the price of admission, this reissue, augmented with mono single versions and the unedited mix of "Chain of Fools" is a real treat. The original 56-second intro to "Chain of Fools," clipped for the single and LP and heard here for the first time on CD, sets Joe South's twangy guitar against Aretha's gospelizations and provides a completely different launch to the song. The single will forever sound edited once you've heard the full cut. Franklin also recorded her signature version of Goffin & King's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," backed by the Muscle Shoals rhythm section and the harmonies of the Sweet Inspirations. Elsewhere, she works out on James Brown's "Money Won't Change You", Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready," Ray Charles "Come Back Baby," The Rascals "Groovin'," as well as her own "Since You've Been Gone (Sweet Sweet Baby)." Franklin's third LP packs plenty of punch and this reissue sweetens the till.

I was a 13-year-old kid when I first picked this one up in the record store in February of 1968. Then, it was enough for me that it contained two established solid hits of Aretha's, "Natural Woman," and "Chain Of Fools." A third, "Since You've Been Gone," was quickly on the rise itself coinciding with the release of this LP. Since, by then, we knew how well (thanks to "Respect" and her version of the Stones' "Satisfaction" on `Aretha Arrives') she could take songs others had already done and make them into something stunningly new, "Niki Hokey," "Groovin'" and "People Get Ready" held great promise. They delivered. I was a bit young yet to understand the deep angst Aretha addressed in her sister's "Ain't No Way," but enough time and enough listens worked in that instance. (As "Since You Been Gone's" B-side, it charted as a single in its own right, too.)

However, one song would have to wait until seasoned adulthood for me to fully appreciate. `Seasoned,' in the sense of having been on both the winning and losing sides of love. "Good To Me As I Am To You," lyrically, is of the identical mind-set of "Respect," but this time Miss Franklin authored her own. It doesn't try to be any dance-jam like her signature hit, and in that sense, it comes off perhaps even more startling. Leslie Gore's "You Don't Own Me," was one thing, this was something ELSE. It's astonishing to realize how daring a thing it was then for a female singer, to lay it on the line like this: "Starting today, tomorrow, and forever more - If YOU can't find it in your heart to DO for ME, then, baby, just don't darken my front door!" On this song, Lady Soul wonders out loud to herself and her lover, if he'd be willing to lend her any portion of his last dollar, as quickly as she'd turn over her last dime to HIM. Aretha was sending two signals to her audience here, I think. First, she was telling us that whatever `heartbreak' song she'd sing in the future, she'd never sing of being anyone's doormat. Secondly, she sent a from-the-pulpit message to us that, when you've surrendered self-respect in a relationship, it's no longer one that can be called `love.'

I don't know how to recommend this album highly enough. Like the very best book you've ever read, it could very possibly change your life.

Let me concluded with nuts & bolts info, then. "Lady Soul," originally Atlantic LP 8176, was Aretha's third for Atlantic, and the last that was released in both mono and stereo versions. "Aretha Now" would show up in June of '68, and they'd all be stereo only from that one forward. Her original Atlantic 45's, with one or two exceptions, would remain in mono until the end of 1972. Get this album.

"Lady Soul" is my favorite Aretha Franklin album. I've had it for about a decade, and I have probably listened to it over a hundred times. Aretha has what is probably the best voice of anyone in the history of rock music. Actually, this music is a mixture of rock and soul. Although there really isn't any gospel on this CD, Aretha's voice does benefit from her gospel singing that she had done in her youth, too, which has definitely helped her to use her voice when she sings rock and soul. The physical quality of her voice, the smoothness, the feeling, the soul, the power in her voice, and the way that she uses her voice to its full effect, are all amazingly displayed on this album. You really can't go wrong with this CD.

I like all of the songs here. There are no duds - no filler at all. My favorites here are "Chain of Fools," "Money Won't Change You," "Niki Hoeky," and "Come Back Baby." This is a great CD. A lot of people buy her greatest hits CDs, but I prefer her albums. In addition to "Lady Soul," I also strongly recommend that you get "I Never Loved a Man The Way I Love You."

Even though you have probably heard most of these obviously essential RnB songs, cut by the Queen in her prime, you need to get this re-released version if only for one thing: the unedited version of Chain of Fools. The opening, which was trimmed for the version that made it on to the original album and single, is PURE UNADULTERATED SOUL. There is literally nothing like this minute or so of pure anguish turned into vocal sound. This IS soul. And this is Lady Soul. For fans who have the original, YES it is worth buying again. And for the curious, there is hardly a better place to begin.

If, like myself you're into the gritty, soul drenched Musle Shoals sound, then you've got to hear Lady Soul. Aretha has no peer, there simply is no other soul singer dead or alive who can stand along side The Queen of Soul. Keep your Dinah Washingtons', Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Carla Thomas, Ruth Brown, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Dione Warwick, Whitney Houston, Mary Wells, Martha Reeves, (have I forgotten anyone?). Keep them all. Aretha is the real thing. She has that special something deep down inside, that just reaches out and grabs you. I could go on and on, but what's the use. Just give this record one listen and you'll know immediately, exactly what I mean.