18 January 2008
Amazing Grace
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It's one of the world's most popular hymns, and one of the most recorded songs in history. Written in 1772 by a former slave trader who found God during a storm on the high seas, Amazing Grace has endured to become a classic, in the church and on the pop charts. So this week, some remarkable versions of Amazing Grace, including Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Rod Stewart and an ecstatic live performance by Aretha Franklin.
First broadcast 23 March 2007.
Further Information
Amazing Grace - The Movie
The film, released in 2007, is based on the life of antislavery pioneer William Wilberforce. It is directed by Michael Apted (The World is Not Enough, Coal Miner's Daughter) from an original screenplay written by Steven Knight (Dirty Pretty Things). It stars Ioan Gruffudd, Albert Finney, Romola Garai, Michael Gambon and Youssou N'Dour, among others.
Lent study: Set All Free
Set All Free, a Churches Together in England initiative with BBC Radio Worship, has put together this five-week ecumenical study guide on the Transatlantic slave trade.
The Amazing Change
In conjunction with the release of the film Amazing Grace, there is an integrated social justice campaign called The Amazing Change aimed at increasing knowledge about the historical issue of slavery and the abolitionist movement, and raising awareness about modern day slavery and other forms of oppression.
Music
CD title:
Whales & Nightingales
Track title:
Amazing Grace
Artist: Judy Collins
Composer: trad.arr. Collins
CD details: Elektra
CD title:
Journey of Dreams
Track title:
Amazing Grace
Artist: Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Composer: trad. arr. Paul. Simon
CD details: Warner Bros. 7599 25753 2
CD title:
Every Picture Tells a Story
Track title:
Amazing Grace
Artist: Rod Stewart / Sam Mitchell
Composer: trad.
CD details: Polygram 822 385 2
CD title:
Amazing Grace
Track title:
Amazing Grace
Artist: Aretha Franklin/ Rev James Cleveland/ The Southern California Community Choir
Composer: trad.
Publishing/Copyright: Atlantic 2 906 2
Presenter
Geoff Wood
Producer
Geoff Wood
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