This is an original “Demonstration – Not For Sale” promo copy of Aretha Franklin’s debut LP, Aretha, with The Ray Bryant Combo. A soulful, essential artifact from the earliest moments of the Queen of Soul’s storied career. Pressed in mono on Columbia CL 1612. Includes early gems like “Today I Sing the Blues,” “Right Now,” and “It Ain’t Necessarily So.”
A highly collectible piece of soul history for serious collectors and vintage vinyl enthusiasts alike.
Aretha Franklin With The Ray Bryant Combo--Aretha
Label: Columbia – CL 1612
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Promo, Mono
Country: US
Released: Feb 27, 1961
Genre: Jazz, Funk / Soul
Style: Soul-Jazz, Soul
Media=. Very Good Plus (VG+). Clean and well cared for, with only minor surface marks.
Sleeve= Fair (F). Noticeable wear on front bottom and general aging, but intact.
Special Notes: This is a promotional issue, not a reproduction or repress.
Aretha
Tracklist:
A1 Won't Be Long
Written-By – J. Leslie McFarland
A2 Over The Rainbow
Written-By – E. Y. Harburg*, H. Arlen*
A3 Love Is The Only Thing
Written-By – J. Leslie McFarland
A4 Sweet Lover
Written-By – J. Leslie McFarland, S. Wyche*
A5 All Night Long
Written-By – C. Lewis*
A6 Who Needs You?
Written-By – B. Holiday*, J. Burns*
B1 Right Now
Written-By – J. Leslie McFarland
B2 Are You Sure
Written-By – M. Willson*
B3 Maybe I'm A Fool
Written-By – J. Leslie McFarland
B4 It Ain't Necessarily So
Written-By – I. Gershwin-G. Gershwin*
B5 (Blue) By Myself
Written-By – J. Leslie McFarland, J. Bailey*
B6 Today I Sing The Blues
Written-By – C. Lewis*
Barcode and Other Identifiers:
Matrix / Runout (Side A, Variant 1): XLP52499-1C
Matrix / Runout (Side B, Variant 1): XLP52500-1D
📦 Shipping: The record will be carefully packaged in a sturdy vinyl mailer, with the vinyl placed outside the sleeve to prevent seam splits during transit.