Gospel Greats

Aretha Franklin's Gospel Greats 1999 album are songs that were originally released as a double LP in 1972, Amazing Grace cracked the Billboard Top Ten upon it's release, making it one of the bestselling gospel records of all time. Grace was recorded in a large Baptist church with aultraenthusiastic, loving audience in the pews and a full, funky, band as well as the Southern California Community Choir under the direction of her mentor Rev. James Cleveland. Her voice is melismatic and intensely emotional, yet pure and controlled-as if she were directly channeling the Holy Ghost. Aretha's father, the brilliant preacher Rev. C.L. Franklin, makes a brief, proud appearance, remarking how "she has never left the church!" Recorded live at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church, Los Angeles, California.