Thanks and credit are apparently due for famous film director Spike Lee for producing or post-producing, curating (as peeps say today), and retrieving this filmed, recorded Holy Grail of Gospel & Soul Music, spiffing it up, and showcasing these two rare performances. One of my favorite features was the collage of everyday Christian folk of Los Angeles back about... FORTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO. (I, at the time, was a skinny, long-haired, eighteen year old college sophomore.)
Kudos and thanks must go to the tireless efforts of so many people to resurrect the various pieces and splices of film from that long-ago two-night event and rendering a soul-stirring, uplifting portrait of an artist at her commercial zenith offering sacred songs to the Creator. Seeing a very young Aretha, Reverend James Franklin, and director of the never-released TV special Sydney Pollack gave me jolts of joy.
I returned to Sacramento's historic Tower Theater last Thursday to view this remarkable film for the second time in five days. And, I hope to see it tomorrow with a buddy for the third time. (With matinee and Senior discount tickets set at 7 bucks for this unique film and in an Art Deco theater setting is, for me, mind-blowing at its head-exploding best.
The lovely, iconic Miss Aretha Franklin, dressed the first night in an all-white, floor-length Caftan (Kaftan?) and the second evening in a coral and white paisley. She strode down the middle aisle of a rather small Los Angeles church for her combination recording session / live worship performance featuring all Gospel or Christian music. Joining and supporting the Queen were the Reverend James Cleveland - a lifelong friend and renowned choirmaster - and the Southern California Community Choir, comprised of forty gifted, well-trained singers. Reverend Cleveland played most of the piano pieces and sang along with Ms. Franklin on at least tune.
On the second night, there were two or more celebrity sightings (Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones, perhaps musician Billy Preston, music producer Jerry Wexler, and I believe the Reverend Jesse Jackson.
The setting is such a delight because 1972 was a formative time for me. And within three years my life would not only be formed but TRANSFORMED into a new life, new identity, and a new eternity. But that, my friends, is a possible topic for a future blog. But, in the meantime - "back at the church" - Ms. Aretha shone, soared, belted, and caressed the lyrics on every song or hymn.
Seated next to Aretha's daddy, the Reverend Franklin, was gospel music legend Clara Ward. Both the good reverend and the lady of sacred music were visibly affected (blessed and/or blissed?) by thej 32-year-old Aretha's performance.
I look forward to viewing the film a third time tomorrow and plan on buying or downloading it when it goes to video (or whatever the post-90's terminology is).
I wholeheartedly (an adverb I used perhaps too often when recommending students for college, but here applies even more); I wholeheartedly recommend, suggest, support, and give my loftiest rating of an A+ for this once-in-a-lifetime film that captures Aretha at her zenith in terms of skill and popularity, recording what I believe became a double-record album that they may have become her biggest-selling album. Which says a WHOLE LOT about Aretha's focus (Christ), willingness to record traditionally poor-selling music, put her special, unique touch and flair to it, and kick totally booty. Please, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR, and run & see it before it's pulled from distribution. Peace and blessings in Him, PR
