Customer Reviews

Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you think Aretha Franklin's early Atlantic albums were the perfect combination of gospel, soul and rock, and you haven't heard this set, then you need to. It is in my opinion the best record of her career. Recorded live, with a few overdubs, during two nights at a church, she is backed by a great band, and a truly amazing choir. She is joined on occasion by the Reverend James Cleveland ( most notably on an awe-inspiring and spine tingling rendition of Precious Memories ). Amazing Grace was originally two compact discs, but was much shorter, and had most of the sermons taken out. This re-issue is the COMPLETE 2 nights,sermons included, and with all of the original overdubbing removed. If you have listened to both versions as many times as I have , you will spot the few overdubs that were removed. This is Aretha in a voice more primal, more moving, more soulful than at any time in her long recorded career. Everything else pales in comparison. A truly gifted woman at her prime. This is a must have fans of Franklin or fans of Gospel music.

There was a time, not too long ago, when the Rhino label was ridiculed because it wasted a lot of time and effort releasing oddities that nobody needed--triple-disc box sets from one-hit wonders and the like--but, for my money, Rhino has become one of the most important labels in the industry.

That's because they have turned their attention to saving some forgotten classics from the dustbin. And don't kid yourself for a second, though it may never have been heard on LP-format FM radio when it was released in a more abbreviated format in 1973 (though it is one of Franklin's best selling LPs), AMAZING GRACE is one of the absolute classics of it's time, a chunky R&B treatment of Gospel by thE Queen of Soul.

Aretha Franklin ranks with Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald as one of the all-time great American singers, and this CD showcases her amazing pipes in a perfect setting: piano, organ, a bit of drums and guitar, but mostly the power of Cleveland and the Southern California Community Choir carrying things along. The mix gives Franklin room to breathe and move. The result is one of the earthiest albums you'll ever hear.

"How I Got Over" is a real Southern Baptist shouter, but it's the tunes that start off in a gentle slide that most clearly demonstrate Franklin's mastery: "You'll Never Walk Alone," "What A Friend We Have In Jesus," and "Amazing Grace."

There's even a great instrumental, Baptized version of George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord."

This is a tour de force which everyone should own, and one of my all-time favorite records.

I brought this cd because i lost my copy of the original amazing grace cd. But when i got amazing grace: the complete recordings, i was very dissapointed, most because my favorite songs on the original recording; Old landmark and climbing higher mountain, have been replaced by different versions, which does not showcase Aretha`s vocal skills as they do on the original recording. Although the packaging and booklet are great, i would much rather reccomend the original cd, at lest if you want to hear Aretha at her very best:)

I have just reviewed this CD and I also own an original cassette of the concert live,which i've played to death!I'm a minister of music for my church and I have never heard a more touching gospel ablum.That touches the soul as this one.Each moment on this CD is power packed!Especially the sound clips of Rev.Cleveland Aretha's dad.That really took me all the way back.And who can not enjoy hearing the legend of Gospel himself Rev.James Cleveland who opened his heart and doors of his church to this great project?He has to say something on the occasion.The audience was so pumped you could feel the spirit.That's churchin!(For those who remember)But I can't help but wonder was there a video done on this one,I would gladly pay to see it!!Every dime spent on this project is blessed!This is a recording well worth calling "Gospel At It's Best,From The Heart."

This the version of "Amazing Grace" WITHOUT the studio sweetening that was done for the commercial release of the concert recorded back in 1972.

If you don't mind some duplication of material and appreciate subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) differences between Aretha's versions of the same songs, this is the "Amazing Grace" for you.

If you are a hardcore Ree fan, this will supplement your original AG album quite nicely -- and you will enjoy it immensely, vocal cracks and all! Trust me...it's 100% Aretha in her prime, and it just doesn't get any better.

My vocabulary cannot come close to describing the spirituality, the soul, the love, or the hope found in this work of art. I was four years old when the original recordings were done. Now, 27 years later, Aretha, the choir, the songs and the arrangements are unbelievably strong and moving. You are doing yourself and injustice if you do not get this!!!

Speaking of "weeping" this album never fails to make me do just

that as I'm listening to this beautiful choir,band and of course

Aretha doing what she does best. This album has a wonderful "live" presence to it that makes you feel like you

are "right there". If you are a "Gospel Fan"....doen't hesitate to click on the "purchase" button. You will have something very special.

I have listened to this CD numerous times. I never get tired of hearing it. I viewed a clip of Aretha singing Amazing Grace on the night this recording was made. I would love to see the whole recording in its entirety. I wish someone would tell the powers that be that people would love to have Amazing Grace as a part of their video library. This is Gospel. Aretha "sang" that night. I do mean Sang. I realize this was recorded in 1972, who cares. I heard it suppose to have been released as a documentary. I don't understand what the hold up is. this recording is a Jewel. I purchased the album, and I have 2 of the CD's. This recording is definetly Gospel at its best.

One of my fondest childhood memories is my mother playing the album version of these recordings every Sunday. It is truly uplifting. But there are noticable differences between this release and the original 1972 release. This is a great CD, but I prefer the original with all the studio "sweetenings". "OLD LANDMARK" and "HOW I GOT OVER" are much more powerful on the 1972 version.

It is difficult if not impossible to describe Aretha Franklin, and by extension, this recording without revisiting every cliche that has been used: her voice is powerful, piercing, sometimes overwhelming and at others soft and achingly sweet. This version, thankfully, leaves intact the church atmosphere, allowing the listener to experience the same build-up to religious ectasy experienced by the members of the audience. This recording defines modern gospel, not only sound, but amazingly, the passion as well.