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Why no Blue A?

I have been a regular visitor to your site for a while now and find the information very useful. What I don't understand is why Aretha Franklin has no regular album with a Blue A award. Do you hate soul music or just Aretha? I am aware she made some below par albums in the late 70s and early 80s but many of her Atlantic albums of the 60s are peerless. 

1 reply

Hi Ian,

The "AllMusic Album Pick" designation is usually a good indicator of an overview of an artist.

From our FAQ:

When looking at an artist's discography, you may see a blue arrow with the AllMusic logo next to the album cover. That represents the Album Pick for the most representative album of that artist's entire body of work. It may be a well-known hit album, a compilation of the artist's best songs or just a really great record.

For an artist like Aretha Franklin who created exceptional songs and knockout singles but never really created a landmark standalone album, the editors chose to highlight a Greatest Hits compilation with the Album Pick award.

A don't disagree with you. I think "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You" would be a good contender for a non-compilation album pick.

IM

Hi Zac,

It is utter madness indeed that "I never loved a man" doesn't have the blue A. If it's good enough for Rolling Stones top 100...

Choosing a compilation in this instance is a cop out by people who either don't like or understand soul music and you can tell them I said so!

Kind regards

Ian