Aretha Franklin and Rev. C.L. Franklin Lead a Church Choir Through Gospel’s Peaks on ‘Only a Look’

Rev. C.L. Franklin’s Only a Look is a solemn, reverent record built around tradition over pop appeal. It pairs the elder pastor’s preaching with his daughter Aretha Franklin’s singing and the New Bethel Baptist Church Choir, and it plays like a worship service rather than a pop album. The record leans heavily on gospel tradition, and it rarely reaches for the kind of secular polish that made Aretha Franklin famous elsewhere. That’s the whole point, and it mostly works.

Opening With a Hymn

The album opens with “Father I Stretch My Hands to Thee,” a hymn that sets the tone immediately. It’s a short, solemn call for mercy, and it does exactly what it’s meant to do: it prepares the listener for the church atmosphere ahead.

Then comes the title track, “Only a Look.” It’s the heart of the record, a slow, soulful plea that builds from a simple melody into something bigger. Aretha Franklin’s voice carries the weight here, and the choir behind her adds depth without overpowering the moment.

The Title Track and Its Companion

“Only a Look” is the centerpiece of the record. The title track itself is a slow, soulful plea that builds from a simple melody into something bigger, with Aretha Franklin’s voice carrying the weight and the choir adding depth without overpowering the moment.

Its companion track, “Father I Stretch My Hands to Thee,” opens the album with a short, solemn call for mercy. Together, the two tracks establish the record’s solemn, church-focused atmosphere early on.

The Middle Stretch

“Someday” follows, and at seven minutes it’s the longest track on the record. It’s a patient, meditative piece that lets the choir stretch out and build to a full, swelling climax. It’s the kind of track that rewards patience, even if it doesn’t rush anywhere.

“The Lord’s Prayer” is a shorter, more direct piece. It’s a straightforward reading of the prayer, and it doesn’t try to reinvent it. That restraint is the right move here — the track is effective because it stays humble.

“I’ve Been in the Storm So Long” is a standout. It’s a powerful, emotional performance from Aretha Franklin, and the choir behind her adds a sense of community that makes the song feel less like a solo and more like a shared experience.

“I’ll Get Home Someday” is a shorter, gentler piece. It’s not the most memorable track on the record, but it holds together the middle section well.

The Back Half

“Never Grow Old” is a steady, mid-tempo track that doesn’t break new ground but delivers a solid, comforting message. It’s pleasant enough, but it doesn’t demand attention either.

“While the Blood Runs Warm in My Veins” is a more dynamic piece, with a driving rhythm underneath the choir. It’s one of the more interesting tracks on the back half, even if it doesn’t match the peaks earlier in the record.

“If You Just Hold Out Till Tomorrow” is a long, patient track that builds slowly toward a final chorus. It’s not the most immediate listen, but it shows the patience the record values throughout.

“Oh to Be Kept by Jesus” is a gentle, reassuring piece. It’s the kind of track that settles the listener down after the longer stretches earlier in the album.

“I’ve Decided to Make Jesus My Choice” is a strong closer, with a powerful vocal from Aretha Franklin and a choir that swells to meet her. It’s a fitting end to the record, even if it doesn’t top the high points earlier in the album.

“Your Mother Loves Her Children” closes things out on a warm, familial note. It’s a gentle, comforting end to the record, though it doesn’t leave much of a lasting impression.

The Verdict

Only a Look isn’t trying to be a pop record, and it doesn’t pretend to be one. It’s a church record, and it succeeds on those terms. The best moments — “Only a Look,” “Someday,” “I’ve Been in the Storm So Long,” “The Lord’s Prayer” — are truly great, and they’re the reason anyone should bother with this record at all.

The weaker tracks don’t drag the album down so much as they fill out the middle. They’re competent, sometimes pleasant, but rarely essential. The record’s strength is in its peaks, not its valleys.

Key Facts
– Artist: Rev. C.L. Franklin & Aretha Franklin & The New Bethel Baptist Church Choir
– Release type: Album
– Tracks: 12
– Total running time: 49 minutes

This is a record that knows exactly what it wants to be, and it gets there almost every time. The weaker tracks don’t sink it, but they don’t elevate it either. What remains is a solid, occasionally brilliant collection of church music, led by one of the greatest voices in American music history.

album review · Aretha Franklin · church music · gospel music · soul music