Appearing after a blockbuster debut and a sophomore set that was rather disappointing (in comparison), 1968's proved , the sensation, was no fluke. Her performances were more impassioned than on her debut, and the material just as strong, an inspired blend of covers and originals from the best songwriters in and music. The opener, became the biggest hit, driven by a chorus of cascading echoes by and her bedrock backing vocalists, , plus the unforgettable, earthy guitar work of guest . The album's showpiece, though, was a song written expressly for her by stalwarts , based on a title coined by producer . One of the landmark performances in music, the song floats serenely through the verses until, swept up by ' stirring string arrangement again and again, opens up on the choruses with one of the most transcendent vocals of her career. And just as she'd previously transformed a classic ( 's ) into a signature piece of her own, courageously reimagined songs by heavyweights , , and . is smooth and kinetic, her testifying constantly reinforced by interjections from a 1965 civil-rights anthem and a hit for , is taken at a slower pace than the original; after a quiet verse, lets loose amidst a magisterial brass arrangement by . Powered by three hit singles (each nested in the upper reaches of the Top Ten), became 's second gold LP and remained on the charts for over a year. ~ John Bush