Album: Amazing Grace

Introduction
Amazing Grace is a live gospel album and performance movie by American soul singer Aretha Franklin. Released on June 1, 1972, by Atlantic Records, the album was taped at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Produced by Jerry Wexler and Aretha Franklin herself, the project marked a go back to Franklin's gospel roots after she had actually established herself as the "Queen of Soul" during the late 1960s with popular hits such as "Respect" and "Chain of Fools".

Background and Recording
Aretha Franklin matured in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Reverend C. L. Franklin, who was a popular Baptist minister and civil liberties leader. She started her music profession as a kid, singing in her father's church, and released a gospel album at the age of 14. While her career transitioned to nonreligious music during the late 1950s and early 1960s, she maintained strong ties to gospel music and its traditions throughout her profession.

Jerry Wexler, a producer at Atlantic Records and a key figure in the professions of artists such as Ray Charles and Wilson Pickett, frequently gone over with Franklin the concept of taping a gospel album. In January 1972, with the approval of Warner-Elektra-Atlantic, Franklin chose to tape-record the album, accompanied by her roadway band and the Southern California Community Choir, directed by James Cleveland, a revered gospel vocalist and musician.

The recording sessions took place throughout 2 nights in January 1972 at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church, with a small audience in attendance, including Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger and the singer's daddy, Reverend C. L. Franklin. The sessions were documented on movie by director Sydney Pollack but due to technical concerns, the video footage was not launched till years later.

Live Album and Reception
Amazing Grace was launched as a double album and consisted of efficiencies of lots of standard gospel tunes and hymns such as "What a Friend We Have in Jesus", "How I Got Over", and "You'll Never Walk Alone", along with performances of modern gospel songs and even a version of Marvin Gaye's "Wholy Holy". The album showcases Franklin's effective and emotive vocal style, blending gospel and soul in a way that had actually rarely been heard before.

Upon its release, the album got critical honor and was an industrial success; it remains one of Franklin's best-selling albums, and the best-selling live gospel album of perpetuity. It won a Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance in 1973, even more cementing Franklin's status as a trailblazing and flexible artist.

Tradition and Impact
Beyond its business success and awards, Amazing Grace is considered among the most prominent gospel albums of all time. The album demonstrated that gospel music might accomplish crossover success in the mainstream and helped to redefine the genre for future generations of gospel artists.

In 2018, a documentary of the very same name was lastly launched, featuring footage from the original recording sessions. The movie highlights the psychological energy and spiritual power of the performances. The release of the film even more strengthened Amazing Grace's long-lasting impact on gospel music, soul, and popular music as a whole.

Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace stands as a testament to her unbelievable vocal talent, along with her deep connection and commitment to her gospel roots. The album remains a shining example of how music can transcend barriers and touch the body and souls of listeners across generations.