Lady Soul (1968)

Atlantic brought Muscle Shoals players including drummer Roger Hawkins, guitarist Jimmy Johnson and keyboardist Spooner Oldham to New York, and their earthy Southern feel underpins Aretha Franklin's own gospel piano. Listen to Chain of Fools for the way the guitar figure and drums leave room for the call-and-response vocals; Eric Clapton turns up as a guest guitarist on Good to Me as I Am to You.