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Fans of the late, legendary Aretha Franklin are often surprised to discover that The Queen of Soul’s best-selling album isn’t I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, Lady Soul, or even Who’s Zoomin’ Who?  Rather, that honor goes to the Grammy-winning 1972 live album Amazing Grace – a fact that no doubt pleased Franklin.  In fact, it’s recognized as the best-selling live gospel album of all time.  The 1999 expanded edition of the heartfelt, passionate gospel set will make its vinyl premiere from Rhino and Atlantic on March 22, just three days before what would have been Franklin’s 77th birthday.

Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings includes four, 180-gram LPs that contain both of Aretha’s remarkable services at Los Angeles’ New Temple Missionary Baptist Church, recorded on January 13 and 14, 1972.  The enrapt audience at the packed church included Franklin’s father, the Reverend C.L. Franklin, as well as Clara Ward and Mother Ward of The Ward Family Singers, and even Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones.  Joined by Rev. James Cleveland and The Southern California Community Choir, Aretha brought heart and soul to her scorching and inspirational renditions of varied songs like “Precious Memories,” What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” “Mary Don’t You Weep,” Marvin Gaye’s “Wholy Holy,” and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”  The original double album, released in June 1972, had 13 songs plus Rev. Franklin’s remarks; this expanded edition boasts 28 tracks, including introductions and remarks, on four slabs of vinyl.

Initially, a documentary was planned to accompany the Amazing Grace album, but a variety of technical (and subsequently, legal) issues kept the film from being completed and released for almost 50 years. Last November, the film Amazing Grace, based on the original footage shot by director Sydney Pollack, made its premiere at the 2018 DOC NYC film festival.  One hopes that a wide release will be forthcoming.  Franklin’s memory will also be celebrated on CBS, when the network airs Aretha: A Grammy Tribute to the Queen of Soul on March 10.  Hosted by Tyler Perry, the two-hour special features performances by artists including Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, Alessia Cara, Kelly Clarkson, Common, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Patti LaBelle, and BeBe Winans, plus recent Grammy nominees Brandi Carlile, Chloe X Halle, H.E.R., Janelle Monáe, and SZA.

Look for Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings as a 4-LP set from Rhino/Atlantic on March 22!

Aretha Franklin, Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings (Rhino R2 75827, 1999 – reissued Rhino/Atlantic, 2019) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Thursday Night Show (1/13/72)

Side One

1. Organ Introduction (“On Our Way”) – Ken Lupper
2. Opening Remarks – Rev. James Cleveland
3. “On Our Way” – Southern California Community Choir
4. Aretha’s Introduction – Rev. James Cleveland
5. “Wholy Holy”
6. “You’ll Never Walk Alone”

Side Two

1. “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”
2. “Precious Memories” – With Rev. James Cleveland
3. “How I Got Over”

Side Three

1. “Precious Lord, Take My Hand / You’ve Got A Friend”
2. “Climbing Higher Mountains”
3. “Give Yourself To Jesus”

Side Four

1. “Amazing Grace”
2. “My Sweet Lord” – Instrumental

Friday Night Show (1/14/72)

Side Five

1. Organ Introduction (“On Our Way”) and Opening Remarks – Ken Lupper & Rev. James Cleveland
2. “On Our Way” – Southern California Community Choir
3. Aretha’s Introduction – Rev. James Cleveland
4. “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”
5. “Wholy Holy”

Side Six

1. “Climbing Higher Mountains”
2. “God Will Take Care Of You”
3. “Old Landmark”

Side Seven

1. “Mary, Don’t You Weep”
2. “Never Grow Old”

Side Eight

1. Remarks By Reverend C.L. Franklin
2. “Precious Memories” – With Rev. James Cleveland
3. “My Sweet Lord” – Instrumental

Original album released as Atlantic SD 2-906, 1972