Track Listing

1. Mary Don't You Weep
2. Precious Lord Take My Hand
3. You've Got A Friend
4. Old Landmark
5. Give Yourself To Jesus
6. How I Got Over
7. What A Friend We Have In Jesus
8. Amazing Grace
9. Precious Memories
10. Climbing Higher Mountains
11. God Will Take Care Of You
12. Wholy Holy
13. You'll Never Walk Alone
14. Never Grow Old

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6400 in Music
• Released on: 1999-12-23
• Number of discs: 2
• Formats: Double CD, Live, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
This re-release of Amazing Grace is at least as much a work of love as of marketing. The sound is beefier and clearer, but most importantly, the two-day church sessions are included. So, there's much more church (specifically, Reverend James Cleveland's marvelous orating) on the record, as well as contemporaryisms such as a cool organ rendition of George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord". Originally released as a double LP in 1972, Amazing Grace was one of the bestselling gospel records of all time. Grace was recorded in a large Baptist church with an ultraenthusiastic audience in the pews, a full, funky band and the Southern California Community Choir under the direction of Franklin's mentor, Cleveland. Her voice is melismatic and intensely emotional, yet pure and controlled, as if she is channeling the Holy Ghost. Franklin's father, the brilliant preacher Reverend C.L. Franklin, makes a brief, proud appearance, remarking, "She has never left the church!" Other highlights include the beautiful "Wholy Holy", an 11-minute, heart-stopping "Amazing Grace", and Inez Andrews's stirring "Mary, Don't You Weep". Way more than a return-to-the-roots record, this set is an inspired gospel-soul workout that arguably showcases Franklin's strongest singing ever. --Mike McGonigal

CD Description
Long before she ascended the throne and donned the mantle of the Queen Of Soul, Aretha Franklin was a child of the church. Franklin's pedigree demanded such, since her father was the famous Reverend C.L. Franklin, and her mother was herself a gospel singer. AMAZING GRACE was Lady Soul's return to her roots after hitting the secular stride of her fantastic strings of albums on Atlantic.
Recorded over two days at Los Angeles' New Temple Missionary Baptist Church, AMAZING GRACE finds Franklin backed by her studio band and joined by achoir led by family friend and gospel icon James Cleveland.Franklin's singing is unfettered and filled with a spirit not heard in her secular material. Most interesting is her seamless choice of material. She gives pop songs by Marvin Gaye ("Wholy Holy") and Carole King ("You've Got A Friend") a spiritual sheen, placing them alongside more traditional fareby Clara Ward ("How I Got Over") and Thomas Dorsey ("Precious Lord, Take My Hand"). Equally impressive are Franklin's rich arrangements, her interaction with the Southern California Community Choir, and her often overlooked piano playing on such songs as "Never Grow Old".

Customer Reviews

Amazing Grace
I hate live albums. They're normally badly recorded with half baked versions of songs you love. This is an unquestionable exception to the rule - and so much more. Turn the lights off and give up an hour of your life to listen to one of the most evokative CDs you'll ever hear. It's like the best Aretha Franklin record mixed with a talking book. Not only does this soulful masterpiece draw you into the music and world of the Franklin Family but the recording is analogue stereo's honey toned finest.... and, I suspect (although you can't tell without the original) that the remastering is exceptional - it sounds it. If you're one of those people who just like the sound of things that come from Aretha Franklin's mouth then buy this. It's great.

Amazing Grace - Aretha Franklin
Wow! This is Aretha at her BEST. Her voice is pure and undiluted by the woes of this world! She approaches each song as though she wrote them herself; as though she had lived each line (probably true!) and the effect is amazing. The track 'Give yourself to Jesus' is seriously powerful with fabulous voice control and dynamics. If you are an earnest Aretha fan, you cannot do without this CD in your collection.

Outstanding
This is a brilliant live album of Aretha singing some of the best gospel tunes I've ever heard. Her voice is out of this world, so rich and soulful it gives you goose bumps. The first disc is slightly better than the second, but you get over two hours of great music that will move you like only great soul/gospel can. Well worth a go.