Review: Aretha Franklin – Amazing Grace

Aretha Franklin – Amazing Grace (Atlantic SD 2-906)

Well . . . uh . . . since I’m not the world’s biggest gospel fan, maybe I’m not qualified to review this album. But, avoiding the actual material, the recording is terrible. Performed live at a church in East L.A., the performance was also filmed, which may account for the terrific boredom created within the 2 record set.

It might as well have been one long song. Every song (all were arranged by Aretha), opens with choir-chanting lines like: “Mary Don’t You Weep” or “You’ve Got a Friend.” The choir chants, and every once in a while Ms. Franklin will warble something. For the next few minutes all one hears are the congregation chattering to Ms. Franklin. “Right on, Aretha,” “Tell it,” “Allllllrat,” “Sing it out” or “Praise the Lord.” After this dies out, she whips out another sentence and the cycle repeats itself.

Courtesy of the Door (aka San Diego Door) – Cameron Crowe –  July 7, 1972  – July 20, 1972