Amazing Grace

Filmed over two nights in January 1972 at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts, Los Angeles, Amazing Grace finds "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin returning to her gospel roots for a live recording—before a small audience—of what would become the titular 12-song double-album classic. Late filmmaker Sydney Pollack was originally commissioned to make a concert documentary of the event (he is seen occasionally in scenes between songs), but he goes uncredited in this cinematically unimpressive film that is said to be "realized" by producer Alan Elliott (Franklin herself blocked any release of the movie while she was alive). As an archival record (look for Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts standing at the back of the church on the second night) with moments of sheer aural bliss, Amazing Grace often sparkles. Although she appears somewhat reserved (or maybe just focused), Franklin can—in the words of Reverend James Cleveland, who serves as host, accompanying pianist, and occasional co-vocalist—"sing anything." And she does so here, with gusto, if also sometimes overindulging in stretching single-syllable words into 10-syllable phrases, a stylistic tic that would later influence Mariah Carey, as well as a host of lesser talents. Highlights include the slow-burn "Precious Memories," Carole King’s "You’ve Got a Friend" (lyrics altered to praise Jesus), the powerhouse "Amazing Grace," and the fervent "Never Grow Old." As her father C.L. Franklin notes here, Aretha has "that intangible something that is hard to describe." We can say hallelujah to that. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1, this is recommended. (R. Pitman)