On April 28, 1968, Aretha Franklin appeared at Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, the city’s grand concert hall famous for its acoustics and on-stage seating. Franklin was joined by the Sweet Inspirations, a vocal group that included her sister, Carolyn Franklin, Charnissa Jones and Wyline Ivey, as well as a stage band. Franklin’s Amsterdam concert was part of her first European tour to promote her Atlantic album, Lady Soul, released in January. Before she left for Europe, Franklin and Atlantic had negotiated a new contract, even though there were several years remaining on the one she had signed with the label in 1966. Much had changed by early 1968.
Five of her singles for the label had sold 1 million copies, and Atlantic didn’t want to waste any time locking her down into the future as her popularity grew. Atlantic’s deal ensured Franklin $750,000 in 1968—the largest guarantee ever paid to an artist up until that point—as well as $1 million over several years. When Franklin returned to the U.S., Time magazine put her on its June cover. Fortunately, the Amsterdam performance in 1968 was captured in a 42-minute film directed by Bob Rooyens and remains one of the great concert documents. A few notes: The gentleman accompanying Franklin backstage was her husband and manager, Ted White.
The Dutch interviewer’s question at the start of the film about Franklin’s recent homecoming appearance referred to her concert in Detroit on Feb. 16, 1968 at Cobo Hall, where the city’s mayor had declared the date Aretha Franklin Day. And those are flowers the audience is throwing up at her during her opening performance of (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, NOT trash.
Here’s the band: Jerry Weaver (guitar); Miller Brisker, Donald “Buck” Waldon (tenor saxophone); David Squire (baritone saxophone); Donald Townes (conductor/trumpet); Russell Conway, Ron Jackson and “Little” John Wilson (trumpet); Rene Pitts (trombone); Gary Illingworth (piano); Roderick Hicks (bass) and George Davidson (drums).
-Tracklist:
01. Arrival At The Concertgebouw
02. Satisfaction
03. Don’t Let Me Lose This Dream
04. Soul Serenade
05. Groovin’
06. A Natural Woman
07. Come Back Baby
08. Dr. Feelgood
09. Since You’ve Been Gone (Sweet, Sweet Baby)
10. Good To Me As I Am To You
11. Never Loved A Man ( The Way I Love You)
12. Chain Of Fools
13. Respect