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List Price: $19.98 | | Label: Atlantic / Wea
Salesrank: 8103
Released: May 4, 1999 |
| Our Price: $13.83 |
| Used Price: $9.36 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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Editorial Review:
This Rhino 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 cracked the Billboard Top 10 on its release, making it one of the best selling 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
Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings Reviews:
The Gospel According to Aretha 
2009-11-16 - Originally recorded as an LP in 1972, "Amazing Grace" remains one of my favorite recordings. In this expanded CD version, David Nathan in his liner notes says that "Amazing Grace" was Aretha's best-selling album, information that should not come as a surprise to anyone who has ever heard it. She recorded it live at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles with the Southern California Community Choir directed by the Reverend James Cleveland on two consecutive nights, January 13 and 14, 1972.
The CD has everything going for it: the enthusiasm of the audience, the spontaneity possible only in a live performance, the beautiful gospel piano accompaniment by Cleveland (except for two songs), the commentary by both Cleveland and Aretha's father, the Reverend C. L. Franklin ("Aretha never left the church"), the angelic voices of the choir and finally that voice. No one ever said that Ms. Franklin sounds like anyone else on earth, and she never sang better than in this recording session. She has a tremendous range and can do anything she wants to do with a melody, even to singing an acceptable version of Puccini's "Nessum Dorma."
Besides the title song, Aretha sings a glorious arrangement of Marvin Gaye's "Wholy Holy," the Rodgers and Hammerstein's "You'll Never Walk Alone," and "How I Got Over." She turns Carol King's "You've Got A Friend" into gospel and then seques into Tommy Dorsey's familiar "Precious Lord, Take My Hand." Ms. Franklin sings "Precious Memories with Cleveland and does a fantastic version of "What A Friend We Have In Jesus." If I had to pick a favorite, a difficult decision, I would have to go with "Never Grow Old" with Aretha accompanying herself on the piano.
This music arises above gospel music and appeals to music lovers of all colors and religions. The CD should be put in a time capsule.
THE QUEEN OF SOUL REVEALS HER TRUE SPIRIT ! (this live gospel performance was a historic moment in Aretha Franklin's career)
2009-06-01 - Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings (1996) goes back to her legendary 1972 gospel album and expands it to include the stimulating music and previously unreleased spiritual oration from both nights of her famous performance at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, CA. The album has also been digitally remastered and neatly repackaged as a 2-disc set.
Where the original album was sweetened with orchestral overdubs and didn't include the Rev. James Cleveland's spoken words, here the focus is on documenting the event itself and presenting the music as it was actually heard live (Aretha's Baptist minister dad, the Rev. C. L. Franklin, also speaks). It's a welcome change, too; the communal spirit of hope, love and appreciation that beams from this congregation in response to these inspiring performances adds so much here.
It quickly becomes very clear that Aretha's performance was much more than entertainment for this audience. The spiritual enthusiasm that is at times powerfully contagious is at other times overwhelmingly humbling. The sweet serenity of Marvin Gaye's Wholy Holy contrasts the jumping gospel energy of How I Got Over and the funky soul beat of Mary Don't You Weep. This stuff ROCKS!
Highlights include a compelling extended version of Precious Memories (with the Rev. James Cleveland) and an epic fourteen-minute rendition of Amazing Grace. Aretha is at the top of her game here, doing what she was obviously born to do. She lights up these gospel classics with heartfelt clarity and bursts of melodious soul-screaming that could make Amy Winehouse and Christine Aguilera blush. She really shows 'em how it's done here.
The Southern California Community Choir is an essential element in this recording, and their wonderful performance provides a moving and deeply textured backdrop that holds things together magnificently.
Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings is a modern, more historically accurate and inspiring take on one of the greatest and best-selling gospel recordings in history. It's almost impossible not to be moved while listening to this album, and Aretha Franklin's talent, spirit and charisma are in full bloom in this pure and most genuine of musical settings. Amazing, indeed!
"The only man that walks alone is a man that has no God..."
Amazing Grace: Aretha Franklin
2009-04-05 - This is an excellent recording with all of the original power, grace and authenticity of the Queen of Soul singing the gospel of Jesus Christ as was captured on this live recording. The interesting thing is to try to do a comparison between this relatively untouched live CD versus the LP album that I listened to in the 70's and to try and note the differences. The comments from Reverend James Cleveland and even the "technical difficulties" that are recorded give this original recording a flavor that the polished final LP album from the 70's did not have. I especially loved the song that the choir sang that backed Aretha as their introduction on both nights of this two night live recording. The liner notes alone are priceless as well as the photos. This is one great gospel CD well worth the purchase to enjoy Aretha singing praises to God for years to come.
Ok 
2009-01-11 - A good listen if you can't find something better... Check out this other album by Aretha Franklin; Amazing Grace
Remarkably Inspirational
2009-01-06 - The spirit of Aretha is very intensified and highly energized. I really enjoy listening to the whole cd. It reminds me when I was growing up in the church and how I enjoyed going to church just to listen to the singing. Anyone that buys this cd will be in for a treat. I'm glad I purchase this cd. Everytime I listen to the cd it reminds me of how the lord has truly blessed me and how amazing the power of "Jesus" is. I definitely recommend this cd to anyone who has never heard it. "Wholly Holy; Amazing Grace; Never Grow Old and Old Landmark are my favorites to listen to. The sounds and spirit of the songs tells you that this is the way church should be today.
