At Carnegie Hall, gospel singer Wintley Phipps delivers perhaps the most powerful rendition of Amazing Grace ever recorded. He says, "A lot of people don't realize that just about all Negro spirituals are written on the black notes of the piano. Probably the most famous on this slave scale was written by John Newton, who used to be the captain of a slave ship, and many believe he heard this melody that sounds very much like a West African sorrow chant. And it has a haunting, haunting plaintive quality to it that reaches past your arrogance, past your pride, and it speaks to that part of you that's in bondage. And we feel it. We feel it. It's just one of the most amazing melodies in all of human history." After sharing the noteworthy history of the song, Mr. Phipps delivers a stirring performance that brings the audience to its feet!
Here is the link to his performance:
http://www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=1312
This song holds a very special meaning for me...it was played by a firefighter bagpiper at my best friend's funeral many years ago...the funeral was attended by our local firefighters in full dress uniform...something that is reserved for one of their own...even though she wasn't a firefighter, she was an associate member of their club and was loved and respected by them for her fun and very upbeat nature...she couldn't have been given a higher honour.
