Aretha Franklin s Gospel Greats 1999 album are songs that were originally released as a double LP in 1972 Amazing Grace cracked the Billboard Top Ten upon it s release making it one of the bestselling gospel records of all time. Grace was recorded in a large Baptist church with aultraenthusiastic loving audience in the pews and a full funky band as well as the Southern California Community Choir under the direction of her mentor Rev. James Cleveland. Her voice is melismatic and intensely emotional yet pure and controlled-as if she were directly channeling the Holy Ghost. Aretha s father the brilliant preacher Rev. C.L. Franklin makes a brief proud appearance remarking how she has never left the church! Recorded live at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church Los Angeles California.