DVD review: ARETHA FRANKLIN – The Legendary Concertgebouw Concert 1968

ARETHA FRANKLIN - The Legendary Concertgebouw Concert 1968

Wienerworld [Release date: 28.07.14]

One has to wonder at the justification of a full price DVD release – unique footage, or no – when the running time is only 42 minutes, including an interview.

At the peak of her powers in the US with five #1′s and three Grammys since signing with Atlantic in 1966, Aretha landed in Europe for the first and only time in April 1968.  This long lost footage captures the second of two sold out dates in the Netherlands under the billing of Aretha Franklin & The Sweet Inspirations.

The grainy restored footage, does however capture the hysteria, and madness of the circus show that surrounded touring in those days.  Constantly hustled and bustled the young Aretha – still only 26 – draws heavily on a cigarette before the show, hemmed in by her entourage, promoters and stage hands.  It’s pandemonium, and as she hits the stage she’s showered, quite literally, with a sea of flowers.

Looking tired and with sweat streaming down her make-up in the steamy atmosphere she launches into ‘Satisfaction’ and you’re instantly transported back 46 years in time to an era when social and musical change was rife.  It’s heady stuff and her ground-breaking vocal prowess on numbers such as ‘A Natural Woman’, ‘I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)’, ‘Chain Of Fools’ and ‘Respect’ is quite something to behold.

It wasn’t labelled ‘sweet soul music’ for no reason.  This is certainly sweet, but sadly short.  ***

Review by Pete Whalley


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 25 February
Next session: Sunday 14 April

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 March 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 5 March 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 18 March 2024

GYPSY’S KISS We’ve Come To Play
FM Out Of The Blue (Frontiers)
SHOTGUN MISTRESS Shot Down (indie)
ATTIC THEORY Violent Delight (indie)
FLOYA Yume (FiXT)
SAHAJI Tell Me All Your Feelings (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 18 March 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 LEAVES’ EYES Myths Of Fate (AFM Records)
14:00-16:00 HOLLY LERSKI Sweet Decline (indie)


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALL POSTS, DVD REVIEWS and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply