Rhino
Aretha Franklin‘s Amazing Grace, the best-selling live gospel album of all time, is being revived nearly 50 years after it was recorded.
Tuesday, Rhino announced the March 22 release of the album as a four-LP set available on vinyl for the first time. The original full-length project was just 13 songs, but was later expanded on CD in 1999.
Originally released in 1972, Amazing Grace went on to sell more than two million copies in the in U.S. alone. It was the best-selling album of Franklin’s career, and earned her a Grammy award for Best Soul Gospel Performance.
The album was recorded January 13 and 14 at New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Among the attendees: Franklin’s father, the Reverend C.L. Franklin, and Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones.
Ahead of re-issue, CBS will be honoring Franklin’s career on March 10 with Aretha: A Grammy Tribute to the Queen of Soul. Hosted by Tyler Perry, the two-hour special features a tribute by Smokey Robinson and performances from Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, Common, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Patti LaBelle, H.E.R., Janelle Monáe, SZA and more.
Here’s the track listing for the four-LP set:
Thursday Night Show (1/13/72)
Side One
Organ Introduction (“On Our Way”) — Ken Lupper
Opening Remarks — Rev. James Cleveland
“On Our Way” — Southern California Community Choir
Aretha’s Introduction — Rev. James Cleveland
“Wholy Holy”
“You’ll Never Walk Alone”
Side Two
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
“Precious Memories” — with Rev. James Cleveland
“How I Got Over”
Side Three
“Precious Lord, Take My Hand/You’ve Got a Friend”
“Climbing Higher Mountains”
“Give Yourself to Jesus”
Side Four
“Amazing Grace”
“My Sweet Lord” (Instrumental)
Friday Night Show (1/14/72)
Side Five
Organ Introduction (“On Our Way”) and Opening Remarks — Ken Lupper & Rev. James Cleveland
“On Our Way” — Southern California Community Choir
Aretha’s Introduction — Rev. James Cleveland
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
“Wholy Holy”
Side Six
“Climbing Higher Mountains”
“God Will Take Care of You”
“Old Landmark”
Side Seven
“Mary, Don’t You Weep”
“Never Grow Old”
Side Eight
Remarks by Reverend C.L. Franklin
“Precious Memories” — with Rev. James Cleveland
“My Sweet Lord” (Instrumental)
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