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:)

This is a remastered version of Aretha Franklin's breakthrough 1972 gospel album AMAZING GRACE. This was recorded in front of a live audience in 1972, culled from two live performances with the Southern California Community Choir, Ken Lupper, and the Rev. James Cleveland at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. This two disc set features the original 14 tracks, and a bonus 15, making it 29 tracks in total. It is great to hear the music unedited! This is a must have for Aretha's big fans!

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."