I watched Amazing Grace last night.
For 2 nights in 1972 @ the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, the magic was happening. Because Aretha was there.
Wiki:
American singer-songwriter Aretha Franklin records her gospel album Amazing Grace live at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles in 1972. She is accompanied by the Southern California Community Choir, directed by Alexander Hamilton, seated behind her as Franklin sings from the church’s lectern to a mostly African-American audience. James Cleveland appears as a featured singer and a piano accompanist. Franklin is also accompanied by Bernard Purdie on drums and Chuck Rainey on bass guitar. On the second night Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts were in the audience, in L.A. finishing their album Exile on Main St. Critic Jordan Hoffman believes the gospel inflections of songs such as “Shine a Light” and “Let It Loose” were inspired by this visit.
Aretha’s powers were at their height, the Force was with her.
The Force was strong. Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts felt it.
Amazing Grace isn’t just the greatest gospel record ever. It’s one of the greatest recordings ever.
Where do I find a church like the one in Amazing Grace? Is there one?
Watch Amazing Grace on iTunes.
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