One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism

Description

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism is a double disc live album by the American singer and songwriter Aretha Franklin (known as The Queen of Soul), released on Arista Records in 1987. The album was recorded at the New Bethel Baptist Church, 8430 C.L. Franklin Blvd., Detroit, Michigan; July 27, 28, 30, 1987. Sound reinforcement by A.F.P. Engineered by Mike Iacopelli. Mixed by Frank Fisher at United Sound Systems, Detroit, Michigan. Produced by Aretha Franklin. Music and choir arranged by Minister Thomas A. Whitfield. Choir conducted by Michael E. Fletcher.

‘One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism’ is Aretha Franklin’s first gospel product since 1972’s ‘Amazing Grace‘. The recording is that of a mammoth two-day worship service, held at Detroit’s New Bethel Baptist Church, which was pastored by Aretha’s father, the late Rev. C.L. Franklin. It captures the vital energy of a black service, features hugh choirs and big name guest singers and preachers, and even presents the spoken word at length as an essential part of the program.

Selections are performed by Aretha, backed by her sisters (who also sing on her popular records), and there are guest appearances by Mavis Staples of the Staple Singers; Rev. Jaspar Williams of Atlanta, a well-known singing preacher who records both spoken word and musical albums; and Joe Ligon, lead singer of the twice Grammy-winning Mighty Clouds of Joy. Musical direction is in the hands of Thomas A. Whitfield, also a recording artist and producer. The choir is a combined group of the New Bethel choirs and the Thomas Whitfield Group.

Spoken word appearances are made by Rev. Cecil Franklin, Aretha’s brother, who delivers a good invocation; Rev. Jesse Jackson, who introduces Aretha and the Franklin Sisters, introduces Aretha and Mavis at another point, and also gives a 10-minute speech; Rev. Williams introducing one of the selections (on which he sings with Aretha); and Chicago’s Rev. Donald Parsons, who also delivers a prayer invocation.

The spoken sections of this album may not please some listeners. It consumes a full one-third of the 90 or so minutes of the record. Rev. Jackson’s speech, more philosophy than theology, will not satisfy the avid Christian when he punches forth the Rainbow Coalition’s social message using the buzz words and phrases of black preaching. However, it is a moral exhortation that is comfortable in the black church with its anti-drug, anti-apartheid, and civil rights message. An it is properly labeled a speech rather than a sermon.

Any such objections are more than compensated for by the music. Franklin’s voice has become huskier over the years, and although she no longer plucks impossible scales and high notes out of the air as in her youth, she is more than equal to handling the music as well as, if not better than, anyone alive.

This is basically an album of traditional gospel music, much of it written by the late Clara Ward or from traditional sources, the kind popular during the “Golden Age of Gospel” (1940-1960). Even «Oh Happy Day» considered contemporary when Edwin Hawkins first presented it in 1969, sounds like old-time gospel music now. A couple of the selections are in rousing 4/4 time for a camp-meeting fervor, but even this style has come to be regarded as mildly conservative in black gospel music circles today.

All in all, ‘One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism’ is a full-course gospel meal meant to be savored and enjoyed again and again. It succeeds in begin a cornucopia of what black gospel is all about. [Hilary Clay Hicks, CCM, February 1988]

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2LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Walk In The Light” – 4:00
A2. Prayer Invocation by Rev. Cecil Franklin – 5:44
A3. Introduction of Aretha and The Franklin Sisters by Rev. Jesse Jackson – 0:37
A4. “Jesus Hears Every Prayer” – 5:16
A5. “Surely God Is Able” – 6:01

Side Two
B1. “The Lord’s Prayer” – 5:05
B2. Introduction of Aretha and Mavis Staples by Rev. Jesse Jackson – 3:22
B3. “Oh Happy Day” – 6:09
B4. “We Need Power” – 6:30

Side Three
C1. Speech by Rev. Jesse Jackson – 9:57
C2. “Ave Maria” – 6:48
C3. Introduction To Higher Ground by Rev. Jaspar Williams – 4:10
C4. “Higher Ground” – 1:0

Side Four
D1. “Higher Ground” (Continued) – 2:04
D2. Prayer Invocation by Rev. Donald Parsons – 7:29
D3. “I’ve Been In The Storm Too Long” – 7:55
D4. “Packing Up, Getting Ready To Go” – 5:34

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and vinyl LP. Also released on CD.