On the Amazing Grace of Aretha on the Flipside

Aretha in the film “Amazing Grace” photo Rolling Stone

Run, don’t walk to see “Amazing Grace” — the 1972 film that features footage of a live “in church” concert that Aretha gave in 1972 in Los Angeles.

“Amazing Grace” is the fourth live album by American singer Aretha Franklin. Released on June 1, 1972 by Atlantic Records, it ultimately sold over two million copies in the United States alone, earning a double platinum certification. As of 2017, it stands as the biggest selling disc of Franklin’s entire fifty-plus year recording career as well as the highest selling live gospel music album of all time. It won Franklin the 1973 Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance.The double album was recorded at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles during January 1972. A film documenting the making of the album was set to be released in 1972, but was shelved by Warner Bros. (Wikipedia)

The film has not been seen since it was shot (and directed) by up and coming filmmaker Sydney Pollack. Sydney had just come off of “They Shoot Horses Don’t They?” and have obviously been influenced by the cinema verite’ style of shooting.

Mick’s Dad hanging out with his son and me

(Mick Jagger is glimpsed, along with Charlie Watts and Billy Preston, who apparently…