Amazing Grace (CD - 1972)

Personnel: Aretha Franklin (vocals, piano, celeste); James Cleveland (vocals, piano); Cornell Dupree (guitar); Ken Lupper (organ); Chuck Rainey (bass); Bernard Purdie (drums); Pancho Morales (congas); The Southern California Community Choir.

Producers: Jerry Wexler, Arif Mardin, Aretha Franklin.

Recorded live at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church, Los Angeles. Includes liner notes by John Hammond.

Digitally remastered by Stephen Innocenzi (Atlantic Studios).

Aretha Franklin, one of the greatest American singers ever, came out of the gospel tradition. As a teenager in Detroit, she sang in church; in the early 1960s, her first recordings were gospel and blues-charged ballad standards; in the mid-60s, her mixture of earthy Southern R&B and gospel fervor taught the world "Respect." In 1972, she recorded AMAZING GRACE, a return to her roots, with one of the giants of gospel, James Cleveland, a choir, and a small band of seasoned R&B/jazz players.

Recorded live in a church in Los Angeles, Aretha wails on traditional tunes like "Mary Don't You Weep" and transforms Carole King's winsome pop ballad "You've Got A Friend" into a spellbinding declaration of faith. If you love Aretha, or are a gospel fan, this 2-CD set will make a fine addition to your collection. minimize