Xiongyue Yu Journal Entry 6 - Amazing Grace

The film is more like an Aretha Franklin concert than a documentary. Although the picture is not very clear because of the age of the film, and many songs are treated differently from the original 1972 album because of the preservation of the audio, this does not affect the moving and uplifting effect it brings to the viewer, because it is still a legendary film about the greatest female singer, the goddess of people's hearts, and meets every gospel lover across time. 

 

The film needs no introduction to open with music, and the first to appear was Wholy Holy, a pop-oriented gospel song, including a mix of pop music that Aretha brought into the concert, which was criticized by the music critics of the time, but none of the audience in attendance objected. Because her devotion transcended religious beliefs, her absolute passion, power, creativity and beauty was felt by religious and non-believers alike. Her art also transcended race and language, so that all who listened could only feel the fervor in the music and wanted Aretha's songs to hover in the air for a while longer.

 

Her music is pure and sacred, which is all one should know about gospel and soul music. Even if one's perception and feeling of Aretha leaves aside the external factors, the rhythm and the soulful vibration conveyed in the music alone is enough to attract every listener.

 

A musical universe built with art and love can be all-encompassing and accepting of all cultures, styles and races, and Aretha is proof of that.

 

In this documentary, one can finally see why Aretha is the musical role model for many female singers to this day. If there are those who believe that Aretha became the greatest female singer because of "partly political events", this hour and a half long film is a rebuttal to that idea. Aretha's life and art have withstood the world and the test of time, and her music is golden.