Aretha Franklin, 'Amazing Grace'

The first thing I did this morning after taking the dog out was to put Aretha Franklin’s “Amazing Grace” album in the CD player. Listening to Aretha sing “Old Landmark” provided a bigger jolt than my coffee did.

I bought the expanded version of the album a couple of years ago when I discovered that “Old Landmark” skipped on my old CD. I’m glad I did. “Amazing Grace: The Complete Recordings” includes a lot of extras, including additional comments by the Rev. James Cleveland. There’s a lot more organ, too, and folks who read this blog regularly know how I feel about the organ.

The biggest difference, though, is that the expanded album replaced some of the overdubbed versions of several tunes, including “Old Landmark,” with the original recordings that Aretha performed over two nights at the New Temple Missionary Church in Los Angeles. I love the overdubbed song, but I’m also thrilled to own the original versions, too. The sequencing of the songs is different, too.

That’s why I listened to both editions of the album today and I might do the same tomorrow night. I never get tired of hearing Aretha sing “Amazing Grace,” Wholy Holy” and “Mary, Don’t You Weep.” And her duet with James Cleveland on “Precious Memories” is one of the most beautiful gospel tunes I know.

I listen to the “Amazing Grace” album with some frequency because it showcases the power of Aretha’s voice better than anything she’s ever recorded. And I always listen to it on Easter. It’s hard not to feel the spirit when Aretha’s singing.