Opening Remarks By Reverend James Cleveland (Live at New Temple Missionary Baptist Church, Los Angeles, January 13, 1972)

We'd like to say good evening to everybody (good evening)
We'd like to thank you for coming tonight
To the first religious recording session
Of the Lady Soul, Miss Aretha Franklin
And we want you tonight to be a part of this session
We want you to, ah, you know, let the folk know, you're here
And you're going to...
Many of you who've never had the opportunity to hear Aretha sing gospel
You're in tonight for a great thrill

Um, she can sing anything
"Three blind mice", anything
I'd like for you to be mindful though that this is a church (yeah, amen)
And we're here for a religious service (yeah)
And we want you to be a part of it
We want you to give vent to the Spirit
Those of you who are not hip to giving vent to the Spirit, then
You do the next best thing, hahahaha

Aretha's got some fantastic people that came this week
Helped us to put together what you're going to witness tonight
And whatever you hear tonight
Just remember, tomorrow night's gonna be better (yeah)
And I'd like for you at this time to welcome the young folk
That are gonna back Aretha
Won't you receive the Southern California community choir
We are on our way...