I was driving home today, feeling sad and alone when “Baby I Love You” played on the radio, and I realized I knew every word, every intonation by heart, and she cheered me up in nanoseconds. But it’s been decades since I listened to her on a regular basis because I just have an old cassette tape.
Is there a great CD compilation of Aretha’s old stuff, best hits, remastered? What do you recommend?
I swear by the two Rhino compilations (it is Aretha, so you have to get at least two): The Very Best of Aretha Franklin - The '60s, and The Very Best of Aretha Franklin - The '70s. These are both expertly remastered and include her big hits on the Atlantic label, the first one covers 1967-1969 and the second 1970-1976. They also have good liner notes. For the post-1976 hits you’re on your own.
There are three at least half-way decent compilations of Aretha’s hits. The 4-CD set Queen of Soul is usually considered the best, in terms of both audio quality and material.
Thank you so much! I was unwilling to wait for Amazon to send me the 4-CD set, so I found a used one in perfect condition practically just down the street! I’m ripping it right now!
Mood therapy-by-Aretha begins now. 
I am under the impression that a lot of Atlantic Record’s master tapes and outtakes were destroyed in a fire in the 1970s and their CDs just don’t sound as good as other labels? Anyone else ever hear the same?
But in general Rhino Records has a good reputation.
There was some mention on the liner notes that the earlier songs were kept in mono due to quality issues.