Aretha Live At Fillmore West is a live album by soul singer Aretha Franklin in concert in San Francisco over three nights in March 1971.
These concerts caught Aretha singing pop songs rather than her great soul classics from albums like I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You and Lady Soul.
It has also been released in various versions.
Aretha Franklin Aretha Live At Fillmore West
Set List
Original live album
Respect – 3:53
Love The One You’re With – 4:15
Bridge Over Troubled Water – 5:55
Eleanor Rigby – 2:33
Make It With You – 4:33
Don’t Play That Song – 3:16
Dr. Feelgood – 7:06
Spirit In The Dark – 5:33
Spirit In The Dark (Reprise With Ray Charles) – 8:53
Reach Out And Touch (Somebody’s Hand) – 2:35
Deluxe Edition
Disc 1
Respect – 4:08
Love The One You’re With – 4:15
Bridge Over Troubled Water – 7:25
Eleanor Rigby – 2:40
Make It With You – 4:53
Don’t Play That Song – 3:43
Dr. Feelgood – 8:57
Spirit In The Dark – 7:25
Spirit In The Dark (Reprise With Ray Charles) – 19:24
Reach Out And Touch (Somebody’s Hand) – 5:04
These are the same songs as the original release of the live album but they haven’t been edited down. In particular notice that this version of the reprise of Spirit In the Dark where Aretha Franklin was joined on stage by Ray Charles is ten minutes longer.
Disc 2 (Alternate versions from other nights and previously unreleased songs)
Respect – 3:56
Call Me – 5:38
Mixed Up Girl – 2:58
Love The One You’re With – 4:18
Bridge Over Troubled Water – 7:41
Share Your Love With Me – 4:29
Eleanor Rigby – 2:37
Make It With You – 4:49
You’re All I Need to Get By – 5:02
Don’t Play That Song – 3:16
Dr. Feelgood – 6:44
Spirit In The Dark – 6:42
Spirit In The Dark (Reprise) – 2:40
I find it difficult to look at this album and judge what is there and not wish for what is not there.
I will be writing more.
If you want to hear all three nights of Aretha Franklin and King Curtis, there is a limited edition release called Don’t Fight The Feeling: The Complete Aretha Franklin & King Curtis Live At Fillmore West.
What Other People Say About Aretha Live At Fillmore West
Despite my misgivings, this live album regularly appears in the lists of best live albums ever recorded and released.
NME 16
Slate Readers Poll 29
DigitalDreamDoor.com 29
Stylus 35
Chordstrike.com 40
Vox Best 70
Reviews at Amazon are very positive as well.
%%CUSTOMERREVIEWS%%
Buying Aretha Live At Fillmore West
To help you to find the album quickly and easily, I’ve given you the following links:
- Amazon.com as a CD or mp3
- Amazon.co.uk as a CD or mp3
- iTunes as a digital download
- eBay as a CD
It’s still worth checking around on the websites to make sure that there isn’t a more up-to-date or less expensive option.
What Do You Think About Aretha Live At Fillmore West?
Do you love or hate this live album by Aretha Franklin? Do you think it her best?

Leave a comment and tell the world why.
The Best Soul Live Albums
This album is nominated in the readers poll to discover the best live soul albums.
Does it deserve to be near the top?

You can see the complete list of readers polls at Live Album Polls.