Aretha Franklin's Amazing Grace doc

[GoogaMooga]

First I got the 2 CD fatboy, played it a few times. Years later, I got the expanded digipak, played it once. Then, in 2019, Sydney Pollack's never completed film footage was shined up and released as a documentary. A very fascinating doc, which takes us back to 1972, when Aretha was on top of the world. It has already been hailed as one of the great music films, and it is certainly fascinating to see the attention to detail, you get right into the spirit of things, all sweat-soaked and effervescent, pure joy. Gospel is great, but if you have ever had reservations about Aretha's wailing, be warned, the title song is wailed beyond recognition and goes on seemingly forever, every last vowel, every last syllable. And so the concert goes, on and on, until it makes you long for something a little more secular, a little more succinct, a pop hit like "Respect" or "Chain of Fools".

[Minnie the Minx]

And so the concert goes, on and on, until it makes you long for something a little more secular, a little more succinct, a pop hit like "Respect" or "Chain of Fools".

No, it doesn’t.

[GoogaMooga]

You seem to be permanently opposed to everything I write. With usually just a snappy, sarky remark. I wouldn't mind so much - it is fair to disagree - if you would provide just a little more counter-argument.

[Minnie the Minx]

You seem to be permanently opposed to everything I write.

No I don’t.

[BARON CORNY DOG]

Gospel is great, but if you have ever had reservations about Aretha's wailing, be warned, the title song is wailed beyond recognition and goes on seemingly forever, every last vowel, every last syllable. And so the concert goes, on and on, until it makes you long for something a little more secular, a little more succinct, a pop hit like "Respect" or "Chain of Fools".

Do you also prefer Julie Andrews' take on "My Favorite Things" to John Coltrane's?

You can like what you like, but for me, the footage and recording reveals something much deeper and even more incredible about Aretha Franklin that her records only hint at. It's all a matter of perspective, I suppose.

[GoogaMooga]

Gospel is great, but if you have ever had reservations about Aretha's wailing, be warned, the title song is wailed beyond recognition and goes on seemingly forever, every last vowel, every last syllable. And so the concert goes, on and on, until it makes you long for something a little more secular, a little more succinct, a pop hit like "Respect" or "Chain of Fools".

Do you also prefer Julie Andrews' take on "My Favorite Things" to John Coltrane's?

You can like what you like, but for me, the footage and recording reveals something much deeper and even more incredible about Aretha Franklin that her records only hint at. It's all a matter of perspective, I suppose.

Your first question is apples vs oranges, but to answer it, Trane.

As for the second part, you are right insofar as Aretha reveals something profound and soul-searing in that performance. To me, a little restraint and more nuances would have had a greater effect. Notice that the backing choir, which is more straightforward, but powerful in numbers, not just augments, but also tempers her emotional outpouring. So it's down to perspective, like you say.

[bobzilla77]

I just don't know anyone watches that film and wishes for something else to be happening.

I just cry and cry like a little baby.