Sold Date: December 19, 2023
Start Date: August 22, 2023
Final Price: $19.99 (USD)
Seller Feedback: 3320
Buyer Feedback: 0

Aretha Franklin Spirit In the Dark Vinyl LP - Atlantic SD 8265 First Pressing (1970)
Condition: Very Good Vinyl and Very Good Cover. Vinyl was play-tested on both sides and plays well throughout with good fidelity and occasional light background noise. First pressing, cover has good color, no splits, light wear, and small cutout notch. 
Matrix / Runout (Side A label): ST.A.701975-E AT AB Matrix / Runout (Side B label): ST.A.701976-B AT AB
Spirit in the Dark is the seventeenth studio album by Aretha Franklin, released in 1970, by Atlantic Records. It received critical acclaim, but was met with middling sales, despite having two hit singles, "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)", which peaked at #1 R&B, #11 on the Hot 100, and "Spirit in the Dark", peaking at #3 R&B and #23 Hot 100, in Billboard magazine. It was Aretha's first Atlantic album to fall short of Billboard's Top 20, but it is now considered to be one of Aretha's classic Atlantic LPs.
Track listing
Side one 1."Don't Play That Song"Ahmet Erteg n, Betty Nelson3:02 2."The Thrill Is Gone (From Yesterday's Kiss)"Rick Darnell, Roy Hawkins,[11] Art Benson, Dale Petite4:41 3."Pullin'"Jimmy Radcliffe, Carolyn Franklin,[12] Aretha Franklin3:38 4."You and Me"Aretha Franklin3:34 5."Honest I Do"Jimmy Reed, Ewart Abner Jr.3:19 6."Spirit in the Dark"Aretha Franklin4:03
Side two 7."When the Battle Is Over"Jessie Hill, Mac Rebennack2:43 8."One Way Ticket"Aretha Franklin2:52 9."Try Matty's"Aretha Franklin2:32 10."That's All I Want from You"Fritz Rotter2:44 11."Oh No Not My Baby"Gerry Goffin, Carole King2:55 12."Why I Sing the Blues"B.B. King, Dave Clark3:05
Personnel Aretha Franklin – vocals (5, lead on 1-4, 6-12), piano (1-6, 8-12) Duane Allman – guitar (7) Margaret Branch – background vocals (1-2, 7-8, 11) Brenda Bryant – background vocals (1-2, 7-8, 11) Harold "Hog" Cowart – bass guitar (8-9, 12) Dave Crawford – organ (8-9, 12) Cornell Dupree – guitar (8, 11-12) Buzz Feiten – guitar (1) Evelyn Green – background vocals (3, 9-10, 12) Wylene Ivy – background vocals (3, 9-10, 12) Almeda Lattimore – background vocals (1-3, 9-12) Pat Lewis – background vocals (3, 9-10, 12) Ray Lucas – drums (8, 12) Jimmy O'Rourke – guitar (9) The Sweet Inspirations – background vocals (4, 6) Ron "Tubby" Ziegler – drums (9)
The Dixie Flyers Sammy Creason – drums (1-2, 4, 6, 10) Jim Dickinson[14] – additional keyboards (1-2, 4, 6, 10) Charlie Freeman – guitar (1-2, 4, 6, 10) Tommy McClure – bass guitar (1-2, 4, 6, 10) Michael Utley – additional keyboards (1-2, 4, 6, 10)
Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section Barry Beckett – keyboards (7, additional on 3, 5, 11) Roger Hawkins – drums (3, 5, 7, 11) Eddie Hinton[17] – guitar (3, 5, 7, 11) David Hood – bass guitar (3, 5, 7, 11) Jimmy Johnson – guitar (3, 5, 7, 11) _____________________________________________
Shipping: Calculated domestic shipping via Media Mail or Priority Mail. Will ship internationally at FLAT RATES.  Records mailed in a proper cardboard LP mailer. All records cleaned prior to shipment.
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Return Policy: I do accept returns for up to 30 days. Please let me know if you have questions about this item or any others I have for sale before you bid or purchase.  If you are unhappy with your purchase, please contact me immediately and I will do whatever I can to resolve. This may be a replacement, a credit, or a full or partial refund depending on the circumstances.
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I use the Goldmine Grading System, and play-test all records. I note any differences between vinyl and cover, and make note of any inserts, special sleeves, or potential defects.

MINT (M) - Absolutely perfect in every way. Most often this is a still sealed record, records that have been opened are rarely if ever marked as Mint.

NEAR MINT (NM) - A good description is that it looks like it just came from a retail store and it was opened for the first time. In other words, it?s nearly perfect, with no visible defects. 

VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+) - Except for a couple minor things, this could be Near Mint. Most collectors will be happy with a VG+ record, especially if on the high end (VG++). VG+ records may show slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience. Covers should have only minor wear. 

VERY GOOD (VG) - VG records are among the biggest bargains, and for many, will be worth the money. They can lack the original gloss, may have surface noise, and some scratches may be audible, especially in soft passages. But the noise will not overpower the music. VG covers will have signs of handling, and may have minor splits. 

GOOD PLUS (G+) - Good+ does not mean bad! The record still plays through without skipping, but it has significant surface noise and groove wear. Cover may have significant ring wear, noticeable writing, or obvious damage.

GOOD (G) - Record may have some skipping, but is otherwise listenable. I generally avoid selling Good (G) rated records unless they are highly collectible or desirable, in order to enjoy until something better comes along. Cover has major wear or seam splits that need repair, or heavy writing like radio station call letters to prevent theft.

Feel free to contact me with any specific questions.