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"...So Sweet The Sound..."
In 2019 there are a few ways
to purchase hard copy CDs of Aretha Franklin's groundbreaking live Gospel
double-album "Amazing Grace" (originally issued in June 1972 on
Atlantic Records). Personally, I'd suggest going the long way round because the
rewards are so much greater...
August 1993 saw a
straightforward remaster onto 2CDs, then Rhino of the USA went the whole hog in
May 1999 and issued "Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings" with 13
Bonus Tracks (27 altogether) in die-cut card digipak packaging. Further to
this, November 2015 saw that extended 2CD version slipped quietly into the
humungous 16-Album/19-CD Box Set "The Atlantic Albums Collection"
(without really advertising it).
The 1999 version has been
deleted years now and in some places, greedy sellers are asking over a hundred
quid. Pretty packaging and liner notes aside, I say if you want the 1972 album (and
more) – go for the motherlode – the box set – currently about forty-six pounds
new in December 2019 and delivered to your door next day for Christmas. Talk
about more bang for your buck, let me sales-rep you the box set for a moment...
Although it doesn't
advertise it on the front of the box or indeed on the shrink-wrap description
sticker for that matter - the albums contained within "The Atlantic Albums
Collection" (released November 2015 in the UK on Rhino Records
081227951993 - Barcode 081227951993) are the Rhino/Atco CD Reissues released
across the Nineties. Ably Remastered by Rhino's longstanding engineering duo of
tape experts DAN HERSCH and BILL INGLOT - fans will know that some were
'Expanded Editions' - and deck the halls with holistic holly - Rhino has been
smart enough in its digital dotage to include the whole dang lot - including
"Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings" from 1999 and not the
bare-bones 1993 issue.
The bounty on offer here is
staggering – 336 tracks in total including 30 Bonuses across the fourteen
Stereo albums Aretha released between 1967 and 1976, massively expanded
versions of both Aretha Live At Fillmore West and Amazing Grace while the final
two 2007 CD compilations offer up a further 14-track live set from 1972 (her
vocals in blistering form) and 35 primo studio outtakes, rarities and
single-sides from 1967 to 1976 in a stunning 2CD anthology. Amazing Grace, so
sweet the sound - indeed.
Let's now get to that
heavenly double...and how to unravel the convoluted presentation of it on
"Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings"...
Disc 1, Thursday Night Show,
13 January 1972 (78:27 minutes):
1. Organ Introduction (Our
Own 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 – ARETHA
FRANKLIN
6. You'll Never Walk Alone –
ARETHA FRANKLIN
7. What A Friend We Have In
Jesus – ARETHA FRANKLIN
8. Precious Memories –
ARETHA FRANKLIN with REV. JAMES CLEVELAND
9. How I Got Over – ARETHA
FRANKLIN
10. (a) Precious Lord, Take
My Hand (b) You've Got A Friend – ARETHA FRANKLIN
11. Climbing Higher
Mountains – ARETHA FRANKLIN
12. Amazing Grace – ARETHA
FRANKLIN
13. My Sweet Lord
(Instrumental) – ARETHA FRANKLIN
13. Give Yourself To Jesus –
ARETHA FRANKLIN
Disc 2, Friday Show, 14
January 1972, 14 January 1972 (78:11 minutes):
1. Organ Introduction (On
Our Way)/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 – ARETHA FRANKLIN
5. Wholy Holy – ARETHA
FRANKLIN
6. Climbing Higher Mountains
– ARETHA FRANKLIN
7. God Will Take Care Of You
– ARETHA FRANKLIN
8. Old Landmark – ARETHA
FRANKLIN
9. Mary, Don't You Weep –
ARETHA FRANKLIN
10. Never Grow Old – ARETHA
FRANKLIN
11. Remarks By Reverend C.L.
FRANKLIN – C.L. FRANKLIN
12. Precious Memories –
ARETHA FRANKLIN with REV. JAMES CLEVELAND
13. My Sweet Lord
(Instrumental) – ARETHA FRANKLIN
The original 14-Track 2LP
vinyl set credited to ARETHA FRANKLIN with JAMES CLEVELAND and THE SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHOIR was issued June 1972 in the USA on Atlantic SD-2 906
and September 1972 in the UK on Atlantic K 60023 (peaked at No. 7 on the US LP
charts) was pieced together from performances across both nights. But this
reissue presents both shows as they were in strict unedited play-list order
with no nod towards the original we’ve been used to all these decades. Here is
the way to acquire the original playlist from the 27-tracks listed above:
Side 1: Use Track 9 on CD2,
10 on CD 1, 8 on CD2 and 14 on CD1
Side 2: Use Tracks 9, 7 and
12 on CD1
Side 3: Use Tracks 8 on CD1,
11 on CD1, 11 on CD2 and 7 on CD2
Side 4: Use Tracks 5 on CD1,
6 on CD1 and 10 on CD2
Credits:
As well as Lead Vocals where
noted above, Aretha also plays piano on "Wholly Holy" and "Never
Grow Old" and the Celeste on "What A Friend We Have In Jesus".
Reverend James Cleveland plays piano throughout (except on "Wholly
Holy" and "Never Grow Old") and has duet vocals with Aretha on
"Precious Memories". CORNELL DUPREE plays Guitar, KEN LUPPER on
Organ, CHUCK RAINEY on Bass, BERNARD PURDIE on Drums, PANCHO MORALES on Congas
with THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CHOIR, Directed by Reverend James
Cleveland with Assistance from Alexander Hamilton. Produced by JERRY WEXLER,
ARIF MARDIN and ARETHA FRANKLIN. The front and rear of the MINI LP gatefold
card sleeve are exactly the same as the original 1972 double-album – but the
inner gatefold reflects the extended 27 tracks listing.
It is a little disconcerting
to hear a different opening with casual (almost unaffected) chatting taking
place in the background. But then that gorgeous soft organ playing comes
floating in – setting the scene. Then the applause as Reverend Cleveland
announces the first religious session for Aretha - urging the crowd to get
involved and give into the spirit. He praises the band but as the Southern
California Community Choir kicks into "On Our Way" with that organ
pumped – the Audio is stupendous (glory be indeed) and you so get why Rhino
wanted the whole thing out. Doing it live – he wants the small audience to
sound like two thousand. But then – and again the audio wallops you – you get
that piano intro to Marvin Gaye's gorgeous "Wholly Holy" – one of the
highlights on his masterpiece "What's Going On" issued on Motown less
than nine months prior to these 1972 recordings. Atlantic USA issued an edit of
"Wholly Holy" as a 45 on Atlantic 2901 with "Give Yourself To
Jesus" on the flipside – and even that made No. 41 on the US charts.
Inspiration is everywhere on
this double-album. The doubling up of the Thomas Dorsey classic "Precious
Lord, Take My Hand" with the inherent Soulfulness already in Carole King’s
"Tapestry" gem "You've Got A Friend" feels so natural and
right – a genius inclusion. Another contemporary nugget "My Sweet
Lord" by Hari Krishna Beatles George Harrison is given an instrumental
finisher. Trying to get home, the choir joins Aretha as they go "Climbing
Higher Mountains". Her version of the Rogers and Hammerstein anthem
"You'll Never Walk Alone" is transformed into a magisterial
follow-your-dreams powerhouse – the crowd shouting her name as she lets the
vocal chords rip on every teased out lyric.
Of the new stuff, the 2:57
minute footstomping piano-bashing amen rabble-rouser "Old Landmark"
was left off the original probably because, although its joyous, it feels out
of place and frankly reminds me of that scene in The Blues Brothers movie when
Jake shouts have you seen the light and Belushi goes cartwheeling down the
aisle. Sixteen minutes of the title cut "Amazing Grace" is given a
preamble by a clearly grateful and moved Reverend Cleveland – Aretha humming
before she goes into that awesome piano and vocal opening line. How sweet the
sound barely describes it...
"The Atlantic Albums
Collection" by Aretha Franklin is a beautiful little thing and like
Rhino's similarly well-endowed 2012 Joni Mitchell box set "The Studio
Albums 1969-1979" is frankly an embarrassment of classy musical riches
(with aesthetically pleasing matt card sleeves repro'ing the original
period-gorgeous artwork and quality mastering - both look and sound cool too).
But that it contains
"The Complete Recordings" of "Amazing Grace" puts this big
old lummox into the stratosphere. Treat yourself to this passion – and remember
- while you were once blind – now you can see...
PS: 22 March 2019 also saw a
4LP VINYL variant of "Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings"
reissued on Rhino R1 75627 (Barcode 603497854196). It comes in a slightly
altered configuration to the 2CD set.
