Tropic Sprockets / Amazing Grace

By Ian Brockway

 

In 1972, Grammy superstar Aretha Franklin wanted to try something new. She went back to her roots in L.A. and recorded a gospel album at an actual service at New Temple Missionary Baptist Church. A documentary filmed by Sydney Pollack for Warner Brothers became “Amazing Grace.” For decades, the film was unseen because of technical problems. But now, fortunately, it is available for all to see.

We are put in the front row of a Baptist Church service with Franklin singing number after number to an ecstatic congregation. The result is electrifying, thoughtful and piercingly emotional.

Along with Rev. James Cleveland and the Southern California Community Choir, the service begins. Aretha walks up in a white silver sequined dress. The congregation is enthralled. Cleveland states that this is not a mere concert but a religious ceremony and should be respected as such. He suggests that the members interact and engage the camera, lending their spirit to the project.

From the first note, the members rise in their chairs, a few dance and fan themselves overcome. Aretha is dappled with beads of sweat that shine on her face like diamonds. The choir members wear black and silver suits. Each person is identically dressed, resembling inhabitants of a Gospel planet. The entire scene recalls something otherworldly as Aretha’s voice soars, traveling out of orbit releasing tears. Cleveland promises that the second night will be even better.

The following night, Aretha walks in wearing a green and white dress, followed by her father Rev. C.L. Franklin and the gospel Diva Clara Ward who looks vivacious and powerful in fur.C. L. Franklin tells the congregation that he always knew his daughter was inspired with many voices inside her: Mahalia Jackson, James Cleveland, and Ward. He closes by saying he is very proud.

Mick Jagger joins the crowd, clapping his hands wildly.During one of the numbers, Cleveland himself is overcome with emotion and breaks down sobbing into a huge handkerchief.

It is no theatrical routine. The whole audience is in spiritual ecstasy. “Amazing Grace” seems to defy description. It is so immersive and immediate as to make words fail. Suffice to say, watching this film is a transportation: a spiritual yet spacey experience.

From the overcome faces in close up to the life size portrait of Jesus rising from the water, to see this film is to witness an interplanetary gospel event.

Aretha Franklin’s voice leaps into the air like a rocket of divinity and never decends.

Hearing Aretha’s clear, sweet and aeronautic voice, you will want to stay held in the airy heavens and never leave her, let alone the theater.

Write Ian at [email protected]

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