Etta James | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Few female R&B; stars enjoyed the kind of consistent acclaim Etta James received throughout a career that spanned six decades; the celebrated producer Jerry Wexler once called her "the greatest of all modern blues singers," and she recorded a number of enduring hits, including "At Last," "Tell Mama," "Id Rather Go Blind," and "All I Could Do Was Cry." At the same time, despite possessing one of the most powerful voices in music, James only belatedly gained the attention of the mainstream audience, appearing rarely on the pop charts despite scoring 30 R&B; hits, and she lived a rough-and-tumble life that could have inspired a dozen soap operas, battling drug addiction and bad relationships while outrunning a variety of health and legal problems. Etta James was born Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles, California on January 25, 1938; her mother was just 14 years old at the time, and she never knew her father, though she would later say she had reason to believe he was the well-known pool hustler Minnesota Fats. James was raised by friends and relatives instead of her mother through most of her childhood, and it was while she was living with her grandparents that she began regularly attending a Baptist church. James voice made her a natural for the choir, and despite her young age she became a soloist with the group, and appeared with them on local radio broadcasts. At the age of 12, after the death of her foster mother, James found herself living with her mother in San Francisco, and with little adult supervision, she began to slide into juvenile delinquency. But James love of music was also growing stronger, and with a pair of friends she formed a singing group called the Creolettes. The girls attracted the attention of famed bandleader Johnny Otis, and when he heard their song "Roll with Me Henry" -- a racy answer song to Hank Ballards infamous "Work with Me Annie" -- he arranged for them to sign with Modern Records, and the Creolettes cut the tune under the name the Peaches (the new handle coming from Ettas longtime nickname). "Roll with Me Henry," renamed "The Wallflower," became a hit in 1955, though Georgia Gibbs would score a bigger success with her cover version, much to Ettas dismay. After charting with a second R&B; hit, "Good Rockin Daddy," the Peaches broke up and James stepped out on her own. James solo career was a slow starter, and she spent several years cutting low-selling singles for Modern and touring small clubs until 1960, when Leonard Chess signed her to a new record deal. James would record for Chess Records and its subsidiary labels Argo and Checker into the late 70s and, working with producers Ralph Bass and Harvey Fuqua, she embraced a style that fused the passion of R&B; with the polish of jazz, and scored a number of hits for the label, including "All I Could Do Was Cry," "My Dearest Darling," and "Trust in Me." While James was enjoying a career resurgence, her personal life was not faring as well; she began experimenting with drugs as a teenager, and by the time she was 21 she was a heroin addict, and as the 60s wore on she found it increasingly difficult to balance her habit with her career, especially as she clashed with her producers at Chess, fought to be paid her royalties, and dealt with a number of abusive romantic relationships. James career went into a slump in the mid-60s, but in 1967 she began recording with producer Rick Hall at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and, adopting a tougher, grittier style, she bounced back onto the R&B; charts with the tunes "Tell Mama" and "Id Rather Go Blind." In the early 70s, James had fallen off the charts again, her addiction was raging, and she turned to petty crime to support her habit. She entered rehab on a court order in 1973, the same year she recorded a rock-oriented album, Only a Fool, with producer Gabriel Mekler. Through most of the 70s, a sober James got by touring small clubs and playing occasional blues festivals, and she recorded for Chess with limited success, despite the high quality of her work. In 1978, longtime fans the Rolling Stones paid homage to James by inviting her to open some shows for them on tour, and she signed with Warner Bros., cutting the album Deep in the Night with producer Jerry Wexler. While the album didnt sell well, it received enthusiastic reviews and reminded serious blues and R&B; fans that James was still a force to be reckoned with. By her own account, James fell back into drug addiction after becoming involved with a man with a habit, and she went back to playing club dates when and where she could until she kicked again thanks to a stay at the Betty Ford Center in 1988. That same year, James signed with Island Records and cut a powerful comeback album, Seven Year Itch, produced by Barry Beckett of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. The album sold respectably and James was determined to keep her career on track, playing frequent live shows and recording regularly, issuing Stickin to My Guns in 1990 and The Right Time in 1992. In 1994, a year after she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, James signed to the Private Music label, and recorded Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday, a tribute to the great vocalist she had long cited as a key influence; the album earned Etta her first Grammy Award. The relationship with Private Music proved simpatico, and between 1995 and 2003 James cut eight albums for the label, while also maintaining a busy touring schedule. In 2003, James published an autobiography, Rage to Survive: The Etta James Story, and in 2008 she was played onscreen by modern R&B; diva Beyoncé Knowles in Cadillac Records, a film loosely based on the history of Chess Records. Knowles recorded a faithful cover of "At Last" for the films soundtrack, and later performed the song at Barack Obamas 2009 inaugural ball; several days later, James made headlines when during a concert she said "I cant stand Beyoncé, she had no business up there singing my song that Ive been singing forever." (Later the same week, James told The New York Times that the statement was meant to be a joke -- "I didnt really mean anything...even as a little child, Ive always had that comedian kind of attitude" -- but she was saddened that she hadnt been invited to perform the song.) In 2010, James was hospitalized with MRSA-related infections, and it was revealed that she had received treatment for dependence on painkillers and was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease, which her son claimed was the likely cause of her outbursts regarding Knowles. James released The Dreamer, for Verve Forecast in 2011. She claimed it was her final album of new material. Etta James was diagnosed with terminal leukemia later that year, and died on January 20, 2012 in Riverside, California at the age of 73. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 36 Title: At Last! Released: 1960-11-15 Tracks: 14 Duration: 40:12 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Anything to Say You’re Mine (02:35) 2 My Dearest Darling (03:02) 3 Trust in Me (03:00) 4 A Sunday Kind of Love (03:18) 5 Tough Mary (02:26) 6 I Just Want to Make Love to You (03:06) 7 At Last (03:01) 8 All I Could Do Was Cry (02:56) 9 Stormy Weather (03:08) 10 Girl of My Dreams (rendered as “Boy of My Dreams”) (02:25) 11 My Heart Cries (02:36) 12 Spoonful (02:50) 13 It’s a Cryin’ Shame (02:54) 14 If I Can’t Have You (02:51) |
 | Album: 2 of 36 Title: The Second Time Around Released: 1961 Tracks: 10 Duration: 27:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Dont Cry Baby (02:28) 2 Fool That I Am (02:59) 3 One for My Baby (03:28) 4 In My Diary (02:35) 5 Seven Day Fool (03:01) 6 Its Too Soon to Know (02:48) 7 Dream (02:26) 8 Ill Dry My Tears (02:38) 9 Plum Nuts (03:01) 10 Don’t Get Around Much Anymore (02:27) |
| The Second Time Around : Allmusic album Review : Etta Jamess second album isnt what you pull off the shelf when you want to hear her belt some soul. Like her debut, it found Chess presenting her as more or less a pop singer, using orchestration arranged and conducted by Riley Hampton, and mostly tackling popular standards of the 40s. If youre not a purist, this approach wont bother you in the least; James sings with gusto, proving that she could more than hold her own in this idiom as well. R&B; isnt entirely neglected either, with the rousing "Seven Day Fool" (co-written by Berry Gordy, Jr.) a standout; "Dont Cry Baby" and "Fool That I Am" were R&B; hits that made a mild impression on the pop charts as well. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 36 Title: Twist With Etta James Released: 1962 Tracks: 10 Duration: 26:03 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Twist With Me Henry (02:45) 2 Good Rockin’ Daddy (02:27) 3 I’m a Fool (02:28) 4 One Thing (02:17) 5 That’s All (02:18) 6 Doin’ Fine Henry (02:56) 7 Be My Love (02:48) 8 Hickory Dickory Dock (03:04) 9 Feel So Good (02:28) 10 Strange Things (02:32) |
 | Album: 4 of 36 Title: Etta James Sings for Lovers Released: 1962-12-09 Tracks: 10 Duration: 29:25 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Dont Take Your Love From Me (03:34) 2 How Do You Speak to an Angel? (02:34) 3 Fools Rush In (02:00) 4 Dont Blame Me (02:24) 5 Someone to Watch Over Me (03:37) 6 Again (03:38) 7 I Want to Be Loved (03:21) 8 It Could Happen to You (02:07) 9 These Foolish Things (03:57) 10 Prisoner of Love (02:13) |
 | Album: 5 of 36 Title: Etta James Top Ten Released: 1963 Tracks: 10 Duration: 27:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Somethings Got a Hold on Me (02:48) 2 My Dearest Darling (02:45) 3 At Last (03:00) 4 Fool That I Am (02:50) 5 A Sunday Kind of Love (03:00) 6 Pushover (02:48) 7 All I Could Do Was Cry (02:35) 8 Stop the Wedding (02:40) 9 Trust in Me (02:55) 10 Would It Make Any Difference to You (02:35) |
 | Album: 6 of 36 Title: Losers Weepers Released: 1970 Tracks: 11 Duration: 39:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Take Out Some Insurance (02:58) 2 I Got It Bad and That Aint Good (04:30) 3 I Think Its You (03:56) 4 Someone (03:50) 5 Losers Weepers (02:33) 6 Weepers (02:33) 7 Youre the Fool (02:40) 8 Hold Back My Tears (06:07) 9 For All We Know (03:28) 10 Look at the Rain (03:04) 11 Ease Away a Little Bit at a Time (03:40) |
| Losers Weepers : Allmusic album Review : Although the 1970 album Losers Weepers was not a landmark in Etta James career, and doesnt include any of her most famous or outstanding tracks, its a solid enough album that has an edge on some of the other LPs from the later part of her time with Chess Records. To its credit, it doesnt seem to be trying as hard or self-consciously to absorb some influences from contemporary soul trends; largely, it lets James do what she does best: give romantic songs everything shes got, without holding back on some of her grittiest phrasing and throatiest belting. Were the material up to her vocal finesse, this would be up there with the likes of what Aretha Franklin was doing at the time. Its not, but the songs are OK vehicles for her tense and frustrated takes on love. The title track gave her a small R&B hit, and is certainly the best song here. If its a little reminiscent of her own "Id Rather Go Blind" in the verse, the jubilant, ascending chorus sets it off as a worthwhile tune on its own merits (and the next track, "Weepers," is a "part two" of sorts that also served as the B-side). Its a satisfying mix of ballads and more uptempo cuts (like "Look at the Rain," written by Jackie Edwards, famous for writing early hits for the Spencer Davis Group), also putting some pop into the arrangements and melodies alongside the expected soul. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 36 Title: Etta James Released: 1973 Tracks: 9 Duration: 33:25 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 All the Way Down (05:37) 2 Gods Song (03:39) 3 Only a Fool (02:42) 4 Down So Low (03:43) 5 Leave Your Hat On (03:25) 6 Sail Away (04:00) 7 Yesterdays Music (04:19) 8 Lay Back Daddy (02:40) 9 Just One More Day (03:20) |
 | Album: 8 of 36 Title: Tuff Lover Released: 1973 Tracks: 12 Duration: 00:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Tough Lover (?) 2 The Pick Up (?) 3 By the Light of the Silvery Moon (?) 4 Fools We Mortals Be (?) 5 Come What May (?) 6 Dance With Me Henry (?) 7 Good Lookin (?) 8 Tears of Joy (?) 9 Shortnin Bread Rock (?) 10 Baby, Baby, Every Night (?) 11 Then Ill Care (?) 12 Market Place (?) |
 | Album: 9 of 36 Title: Blues in the Night Released: 1986 Tracks: 9 Duration: 51:51 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Kidney Stew (05:04) 2 When My Baby Left Me (06:30) 3 Railroad Porter Blues (03:25) 4 Somethings Got a Hold on Me (06:17) 5 Medley: At Last / Trust Me / Sunday Kind of Love (06:24) 6 I Just Wanna Make Love to You (05:57) 7 Please Send Me Someone to Love (05:09) 8 Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be) (05:05) 9 Misty (08:00) |
 | Album: 10 of 36 Title: At Her Best Released: 1988 Tracks: 18 Duration: 51:30 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Id Rather Go Blind (02:37) 2 At Last (02:58) 3 Stop the Wedding (02:34) 4 Tell Mama (Tell Daddy) (02:23) 5 The Wallflower (Dance with Me Henry) (02:44) 6 Something’s Got a Hold on Me (02:49) 7 Trust in Me (02:59) 8 All I Could Was Cry (02:55) 9 Steal Away (02:22) 10 Pushover (02:58) 11 Fool That I Am (02:59) 12 Security (02:48) 13 My Dearest Darling (03:01) 14 Baby What You Want Me to Do (04:22) 15 A Sunday Kind of Love (03:16) 16 Spoonful (02:50) 17 Waiting for Charlie (To Come Home) (02:09) 18 Next Door to the Blues (02:45) |
 | Album: 11 of 36 Title: The Sweetest Peaches, Part 2 (1967-1975) Released: 1988 Tracks: 12 Duration: 36:40 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Tell Mama (02:24) 2 Id Rather Go Blind (02:36) 3 Security (02:30) 4 Miss Pitiful (02:22) 5 W.O.M.A.N. (03:16) 6 Losers Weepers, Part 1 (03:01) 7 You Can Leave Your Hat On (03:23) 8 Gods Song (Thats Why I Love Mankind) (03:38) 9 Feeling Uneasy (02:49) 10 Lovin Arms (03:50) 11 Lets Burn Down the Cornfield (03:44) 12 Gonna Have Some Fun Tonight (03:07) |
 | Album: 12 of 36 Title: Tell Mama Released: 1988 Tracks: 14 Duration: 35:52 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 If I Cant Have You (02:48) 2 Nobody but You (02:20) 3 Next Door to the Blues (02:47) 4 Something’s Got a Hold on Me (02:49) 5 (You Better) Do Right (01:59) 6 Im Loving You More Everyday (03:18) 7 Mellow Fellow (03:00) 8 Steal Away (02:21) 9 Watch Dog (02:08) 10 Tell Mama (02:21) 11 Security (02:47) 12 I Got You Babe (02:26) 13 Fire (02:23) 14 Miss Pitiful (02:21) |
 | Album: 13 of 36 Title: Seven Year Itch Released: 1988 Tracks: 10 Duration: 38:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I Got the Will (02:54) 2 Jump Into My Fire (04:07) 3 Shakey Ground (03:18) 4 Come to Mama (04:22) 5 Damn Your Eyes (04:11) 6 Breakin Up Somebodys Home (04:29) 7 The Jealous Kind (04:11) 8 How Strong Is a Woman (03:27) 9 It Aint Always What You Do (Its Who You Let See You Do It) (03:27) 10 One Night (04:13) |
 | Album: 14 of 36 Title: Stickin to My Guns Released: 1990 Tracks: 10 Duration: 39:32 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Whatever Gets You Through the Night (03:49) 2 Love to Burn (03:29) 3 The Blues Dont Care (03:41) 4 Your Good Thing (Is About to End) (03:52) 5 Get Funky (04:45) 6 Beware (03:39) 7 Out of the Rain (04:33) 8 Stolen Affection (03:52) 9 A Fool in Love (03:24) 10 Ive Got Dreams to Remember (04:28) |
| Stickin' to My Guns : Allmusic album Review : Comtenporary-styled R&B effort that stays true to her roots. | ||
 | Album: 15 of 36 Title: Back In Blues Released: 1991 Tracks: 22 Duration: 1:02:52 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Tell Mama (02:22) 2 Pushover (02:55) 3 All I Could Do Was Cry (02:55) 4 My Dearest Darling (02:59) 5 At Last (02:59) 6 Id Rather Go Blind (02:35) 7 Trust In Me (02:58) 8 Sunday Kind of Love (03:16) 9 Somethings Got a Hold On Me (02:47) 10 Stop the Wedding (02:31) 11 Security (02:52) 12 Fool That I Am (02:53) 13 If I Cant Have You (02:46) 14 Spoonful (02:49) 15 I Just Want to Make Love With You (03:05) 16 Stormy Weather (03:07) 17 Anything to Say Youre Mine (02:36) 18 Tough Mary (02:23) 19 Waiting for Good Time Charlie to Come Home (02:09) 20 Only Time Will Tell (03:20) 21 Girl Out of My Dreams (02:20) 22 OUt On the Street Again (04:15) |
 | Album: 16 of 36 Title: Id Rather Go Blind Released: 1992 Tracks: 16 Duration: 45:57 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Tell Mama (02:21) 2 All I Could Do Was Cry (02:52) 3 Id Rather Go Blind (02:35) 4 Sunday Kind of Love (03:16) 5 I Just Want to Make Love to You (03:01) 6 Anything to Say Youre Mine (02:33) 7 Tough Mary (02:21) 8 Waitin for Charlie (To Come Home) (02:07) 9 Only Time Will Tell (03:17) 10 Girl (Boy) Of My Dreams (02:18) 11 Out on the Streets, Again (04:13) 12 Stormy Weather (03:08) 13 Trust in Me (02:55) 14 W.O.M.A.N. (03:12) 15 Sometings Got a Hold on Me (02:44) 16 At Last (02:55) |
 | Album: 17 of 36 Title: My Greatest Songs Released: 1992 Tracks: 16 Duration: 45:38 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Something’s Got a Hold on Me (02:49) 2 Sunday Kind of Love (03:16) 3 Pushover (02:57) 4 Miss Pitiful (02:24) 5 Trust in Me (03:00) 6 Spoonful (02:49) 7 Tell Mama (02:23) 8 At Last (03:01) 9 Pay Back (02:37) 10 Security (02:47) 11 I’d Rather Go Blind (02:36) 12 I Just Want to Make Love to You (03:06) 13 Stop the Wedding (02:44) 14 Two Sides (To Every Story) (02:56) 15 I Found Love (03:29) 16 Its All Right (02:39) |
 | Album: 18 of 36 Title: The Right Time Released: 1992-09-29 Tracks: 11 Duration: 44:57 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 I Sing the Blues (05:45) 2 Love and Happiness (04:28) 3 Evening of Love (03:40) 4 Wet Match (03:03) 5 You’re Taking Up Another Man’s Place (03:44) 6 Give It Up (03:41) 7 Let It Rock (03:33) 8 Ninety Nine and a Half (Won’t Do) (03:02) 9 You’ve Got Me (04:14) 10 Nighttime Is the Right Time (05:07) 11 Down Home Blues (04:37) |
| The Right Time : Allmusic album Review : A myriad of big names came together for the making of this album. Jerry Wexler produced The Right Time, and Etta James sidemen include Steve Cropper and Lucky Peterson -- but the final product is a disappointment. Its just too slickly rendered to come close to the knockout punch of her vintage Chess material. | ||
 | Album: 19 of 36 Title: How Strong Is a Woman: The Island Sessions Released: 1993 Tracks: 11 Duration: 46:40 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 How Strong Is a Woman (03:25) 2 Beware (03:39) 3 Feel Like Breakin Up Somebodys Home (04:28) 4 One Day, One Step (04:59) 5 A Lover Is Forever (03:19) 6 Damn Your Eyes (04:10) 7 Whatever Gets You Through the Night (03:49) 8 Shakey Ground (03:15) 9 Come to Mama (04:22) 10 Out of the Rain (04:33) 11 Every Little Bit Hurts (06:36) |
| How Strong Is a Woman: The Island Sessions : Allmusic album Review : How Strong Is a Woman: The Island Sessions collects the highlights from Etta Jamess late 80s and early 90s stint at Island Records. Although she didnt record any new classics while she was at the label, she demonstrated time and time again that she hadnt lost much of her vocal power and that she remained vital 40 years after she began recording. The set offers positive proof of that and is a good sampling of her work for Island. | ||
 | Album: 20 of 36 Title: The Essential Etta James Released: 1993-06-08 Tracks: 44 Duration: 2:14:32 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 All I Could Do Was Cry (02:56) 2 My Dearest Darling (03:00) 3 If I Can’t Have You (02:51) 4 A Sunday Kind of Love (03:17) 5 Anything to Say You’re Mine (02:35) 6 At Last (03:01) 7 Seven Day Fool (03:00) 8 Trust in Me (03:00) 9 Don’t Cry Baby (02:26) 10 Fool That I Am (02:57) 11 One for My Baby (and One More for the Road) (03:27) 12 Waiting for Charlie (to Come Home) (02:07) 13 Something’s Got a Hold on Me (02:49) 14 Next Door to the Blues (02:47) 15 These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You) (03:58) 16 Stop the Wedding (02:52) 17 Prisoner of Love (02:13) 18 Pushover (02:54) 19 Would It Make Any Difference to You (02:38) 20 Pay Back (02:39) 21 Two Sides (to Every Story) (03:02) 22 Baby What You Want Me to Do (04:19) 1 In the Basement, Part 1 (02:23) 2 Loving You More Every Day (03:21) 3 Do I Make Myself Clear (03:00) 4 I Prefer You (03:05) 5 It Must Be Your Love (02:59) 6 842-3089 (Call My Name) (02:59) 7 I’d Rather Go Blind (02:36) 8 Tell Mama (02:23) 9 Do Right Woman, Do Right Man (02:59) 10 Security (02:29) 11 Almost Persuaded (03:22) 12 You Got It (02:25) 13 Miss Pitiful (02:22) 14 Losers Weepers, Part 1 (03:02) 15 W.O.M.A.N. (03:15) 16 I Never Meant to Love Him (03:50) 17 You Can Leave Your Hat On (03:23) 18 God’s Song (That’s Why I Love Mankind) (03:37) 19 All the Way Down (05:35) 20 Lovin’ Arms (03:48) 21 Feeling Uneasy (02:50) 22 Let’s Burn Down the Cornfield (03:41) |
| The Essential Etta James : Allmusic album Review : The Essential Etta James comprises 44 tracks summarizing the long and brilliant Chess tenure of "Miss Peaches," Etta James, opening with her 1960 smash "All I Could Do Was Cry," and encompassing her torchy, fully orchestrated ballads "At Last," "My Dearest Darling," and "Trust in Me," and continuing on through her 1962 gospel-rocker "Somethings Got a Hold on Me," the Chicago soul standouts "I Prefer You" and "842-3089," and her 1967 Muscle Shoals-cut smash "Tell Mama." A few of the 70s sides that conclude the two-disc set seem like filler when compared to what preceded them, but most of the essentials are aboard. | ||
 | Album: 21 of 36 Title: Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday Released: 1994-03-15 Tracks: 11 Duration: 51:59 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Dont Explain (05:19) 2 Youve Changed (04:37) 3 The Man I Love (04:30) 4 I Dont Stand a Ghost of a Chance (With You) (04:19) 5 Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be) (05:26) 6 Embraceable You (03:59) 7 How Deep Is the Ocean (04:20) 8 (Im Afraid) The Masquerade Is Over (05:49) 9 Body and Soul (04:19) 10 The Very Thought of You (04:34) 11 Ill Be Seeing You (04:43) |
| Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday : Allmusic album Review : The popular Etta James usually performs raunchy single-entendre blues, so this surprisingly subtle outing is a real change of pace. She sounds quite laid-back on a set of ballads associated with Billie Holiday and utilizes a jazz rhythm section led by pianist Cedar Walton plus three horn players, including the great Red Holloway on tenor and alto. James makes no attempts at exploring uptempo material or scatting, sticking to soulful interpretations of the classic ballads. Despite the lack of variety in tempos, the music is quite satisfying. | ||
 | Album: 22 of 36 Title: Come a Little Closer Released: 1996 Tracks: 12 Duration: 43:26 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Out on the Street Again (04:20) 2 Mama Told Me (02:31) 3 You Give Me What I Want (03:40) 4 Come a Little Closer (03:31) 5 Lets Burn Down the Cornfield (03:46) 6 Power Play (03:26) 7 Feeling Uneasy (02:50) 8 St. Louis Blues (04:32) 9 Gonna Have Some Fun Tonight (04:03) 10 Sookie Sookie (03:09) 11 Lovin Arms (03:49) 12 Out on the Street Again (single edit) (03:44) |
| Come a Little Closer : Allmusic album Review : Etta James was fighting serious substance abuse problems when this album was recorded, commuting to the sessions from a rehab center. It was a triumph simply to complete the record at all. Although James life may have been in rough shape outside of the studio, she delivered a fairly strong set that fused forceful 70s soul arrangements with some rock (Randy Newman and John Kay both contribute compositions), jazz, and New Orleans R&B. Some of the material is routine, but there are some very strong cuts, like a rousing "Sookie Sookie" and "Out on the Street Again," with its slightly sinister funk groove. "Feeling Uneasy," in fact, counts as one of the unsung highlights of her career, with a wrenching, near-wordless scat-moan vocal over a suitably languorous, melancholy blues-jazz arrangement. | ||
 | Album: 23 of 36 Title: Loves Been Rough on Me Released: 1997-04-29 Tracks: 10 Duration: 41:11 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 The Rock (03:34) 2 Cry Like a Rainy Day (05:22) 3 Loves Been Rough on Me (03:09) 4 Love It or Leave It Alone (05:30) 5 Dont Touch Me (03:58) 6 Hold Me (03:47) 7 If I Had Any Pride Left at All (03:49) 8 I Can Give You Everything (03:17) 9 Ive Been Lovin You Too Long (04:22) 10 Done in the Dark (04:19) |
| Love's Been Rough on Me : Allmusic album Review : Loves Been Rough on Me is a terrific latter-day album from Etta James, capturing her at the peak of her powers. James voice has diminished only slightly over the course of her career, and she knows how to make such warhorses as "Ive Been Loving You Too Long" sound fresh. She also invests contemporary music, including John Berrys contemporary country hit "If I Had Any Pride Left at All," with real soul. The result is a record that delivers the real goods with grace and style. | ||
 | Album: 24 of 36 Title: Hickory Dickory Dock Released: 1998 Tracks: 22 Duration: 56:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Hickory Dickory Dock (03:02) 2 W-o-m-a-n- (02:43) 3 My One and Only (02:26) 4 Im a Fool (02:26) 5 Strange Things Happening (02:30) 6 Hey Henry (02:53) 7 I Hope Youre Satisfied (03:03) 8 Good Rockin Daddy (02:23) 9 Sunshine of Love (02:26) 10 Thats All (02:15) 11 Call Me a Fool (02:46) 12 Tears of Joy (02:28) 13 The Pick Up (02:21) 14 Market Place (02:52) 15 Tough Lover (02:09) 16 Doin Something Crazy (03:21) 17 Be My Lovey Dovey (02:02) 18 Nobody Loves You Like I Do (02:25) 19 You Know What I Mean (03:05) 20 The Wallflower (02:57) 21 Every Night (02:20) 22 Were in Love (01:44) |
| Hickory Dickory Dock : Allmusic album Review : The singer in her precocious formative years, headed by her 1955 R&B; smash "Roll With Me Henry" (aka "The Wallflower"). James follow-ups included the driving "Good Rockin Daddy," a bluesy "W-O-M-A-N," and the New Orleans raveup "Tough Lover," which found her backed by the gang at Cosimos (notably saxman Lee Allen). Even though her tenure at Modern Records only produced a handful of hits, these 22 cuts are delightful artifacts of the belters earliest days. The music and liner notes are identical to the previous R&B Dynamite reissue, except that the tracks have been slightly resequenced, and a couple of songs bear different titles ("Number One" has been changed to "My One and Only," "How Big a Fool" to "Call Me a Fool"). | ||
 | Album: 25 of 36 Title: Life, Love & The Blues Released: 1998-06-30 Tracks: 12 Duration: 59:38 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Born Under a Bad Sign (03:29) 2 I Want to Ta Ta You, Baby (05:56) 3 Here I Am (Come and Take Me) (04:55) 4 Running Out of Lies (05:03) 5 Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) (07:01) 6 Spoonful (04:09) 7 Life, Love & the Blues (05:17) 8 Hoochie Coochie Gal (04:25) 9 Cheating in the Next Room (04:57) 10 If You Want Me to Stay (05:21) 11 The Love You Save May Be Your Own (04:01) 12 I’ll Take Care of You (04:59) |
| Life, Love & The Blues : Allmusic album Review : Life, Love & the Blues is slick, funky, and thoroughly commercial. The queen of R&B; does an admirable job of keeping her head above water, but this package of covers comes off more like the work of a tight lounge band than the work of a blues master. | ||
 | Album: 26 of 36 Title: 12 Songs of Christmas Released: 1998-10-13 Tracks: 12 Duration: 1:03:25 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Winter Wonderland (04:26) 2 Jingle Bells (05:26) 3 This Time of Year (05:47) 4 Merry Christmas Baby (06:10) 5 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (04:45) 6 Santa Claus is Coming to Town (06:22) 7 White Christmas (05:52) 8 The Christmas Song (04:23) 9 The Little Drummer Boy (04:59) 10 Silent Night (04:49) 11 Joy to the World (05:30) 12 O Holy Night (04:50) |
| 12 Songs of Christmas : Allmusic album Review : Its a little surprising to realize that after decades of recording, Etta James finally released her first holiday album, 12 Songs of Christmas, at the late date of 1998. Thankfully, she decided to make the record something of a special occasion. Working with arrangers Etta and Cedar Walton, producer John Snyder and a terrific lineup of musicians -- including Red Holloway, John Clayton, Billy Higgins, Cedar Walton, Josh Sklair and her son, Sametto -- James has created a terrific Christmas record, one that is firmly in her style yet contains surprises. First of all, she sings "O Holy Night" in both English and French. She also reworks "Silent Night" into a plaintive, bluesy plea. Each song on the album doesnt sound like a traditional carol, even if theyre very familiar -- it all sounds like James, and it all sounds good. James fans may not feel like they need a Christmas album from her, but after hearing 12 Songs of Christmas, theyll be quite pleased indeed. | ||
 | Album: 27 of 36 Title: The Heart of a Woman Released: 1999 Tracks: 12 Duration: 1:06:40 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 You Don’t Know What Love Is (05:30) 2 Good Morning Heartache (05:31) 3 My Old Flame (06:22) 4 Say It Isnt So (04:57) 5 At Last (04:41) 6 Tenderly (05:29) 7 I Only Have Eyes for You (06:38) 8 I Got It Bad and That Aint Good (06:27) 9 You Go to My Head (04:23) 10 Sunday Kind of Love (06:02) 11 If Its the Last Thing I Do (05:49) 12 Only Women Bleed (04:48) |
| The Heart of a Woman : Allmusic album Review : Theres no denying that Etta James is a powerhouse, one of the finest blues singers of the 20th century. Perhaps thats what makes her latter-day records so frustrating: The talent is still apparent and abundant, but the albums themselves are unsatisfying. All the ingredients are in the right place, but something went slightly awry during the execution. After all, Heart of a Woman is a great idea for an album. James chose 11 love songs from her favorite female singers -- Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughn, and Carmen McRae -- augmenting the album with a new version of her signature song, "At Last." She has recorded several of these songs before (including Alice Coopers "Only Women Bleed," which inexplicably became a standard for both her and McRae), but the difference with Heart of a Woman is the context. Here, theyre put in a smooth jazz setting, masterminded by James, who has producer credit. No matter how well she sings the songs here -- and she still possesses an exceptionally strong voice, robust and filled with passion -- the well-scrubbed, glossy surfaces on the record keeps it from being engaging. Its not bad listening, it just never has the emotional impact James intended it to have. At times, its hard not to wish that she worked with a producer who brought her back to the organic sound of her classic 50s and 60s sessions, but James has been pursuing this smoothed-out style for a decade now. Its clear that this is what she wants to do. She still sounds good, and that means her latter-day albums are listenable -- but they dont resonate like the best of her records. | ||
 | Album: 28 of 36 Title: Matriarch of the Blues Released: 2000-12-12 Tracks: 12 Duration: 1:04:24 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Gotta Serve Somebody (06:48) 2 Dont Let My Baby Ride (05:16) 3 Rhymes (04:35) 4 Try a Little Tenderness (04:47) 5 Miss You (05:59) 6 Hawg For Ya (03:45) 7 Youre Gonna Make Me Cry (06:17) 8 Walking the Back Streets (07:07) 9 Lets Straighten it Out (05:24) 10 Born on the Bayou (04:41) 11 Come Back Baby (05:57) 12 Hound Dog (03:43) |
| Matriarch of the Blues : Allmusic album Review : Having long ago established herself among the royalty of modern blues, Queen Etta seems rather content to sit back on her throne and her laurels and coast through a collection of classic and contemporary compositions. Unfortunately, her descendant band appears equally happy to sit back with her instead of working to shoot up the standards with another round of youthful vitality. The album opens with a rendition of Bob Dylans "Gotta Serve Somebody" which serves more as a sleepy suggestion than a blues-injected imperative. While Al Greens "Rhymes" sounds very much like the Reverend, Ettas version of "Try a Little Tenderness" does phrase the slow dance in some subtly new directions. The real difference shows up about midway through when the Matriarch takes on the Glitter Twins with a raunchy slink through "Miss You" whose draggier pace and intermittent woofs gives the song that much more sex appeal. Otis Reddings "Hawg for Ya" slops with similar raunch. Ms. James does change things up with an educated and edifying stripped "Lets Straighten It Out" which builds musically as Etta lays down lessons of love and the womans heart. Another exciting change is the funkification of John Fogertys "Born on the Bayou" which strains the Clearwater through JBs "Hot Pants." After a gentle shout and sway through Brother Ray Charles "Come Back Baby," the Queen retakes her throne while taking back her royal pet "Hound Dog" from the King with a swampy rendition of the Lieber and Stoller classic that appears to be more born on the bayou than that track. | ||
 | Album: 29 of 36 Title: Love Songs Released: 2001-01-23 Tracks: 14 Duration: 45:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 At Last (03:02) 2 A Sunday Kind of Love (03:18) 3 My Dearest Darling (03:02) 4 Trust in Me (03:00) 5 If I Cant Have You (03:00) 6 How Do You Speak to an Angel? (02:40) 7 Someone to Watch Over Me (03:40) 8 Again (03:43) 9 I Want to Be Loved (but Only by You) (03:27) 10 Lovin Arms (03:50) 11 Lovin You More Every Day (03:24) 12 The Love of My Man (02:42) 13 It Must Be Your Love (03:00) 14 Never My Love (03:50) |
 | Album: 30 of 36 Title: Blue Gardenia Released: 2001-08-21 Tracks: 13 Duration: 1:07:20 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 This Bitter Earth (04:20) 2 He’s Funny That Way (06:00) 3 In My Solitude (05:16) 4 There Is No Greater Love (05:18) 5 Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying (05:18) 6 Love Letters (03:59) 7 These Foolish Things (05:14) 8 Come Rain or Come Shine (05:39) 9 Don’t Worry ’Bout Me (05:52) 10 Cry Me a River (05:02) 11 Don’t Blame Me (05:01) 12 My Man (05:09) 13 Blue Gardenia (05:07) |
| Blue Gardenia : Allmusic album Review : The legendary blues singer indeed lives up to the silly cliché about being able to sing the phone book and make it sound rich, meaningful, and soulful. Still, its always exciting to hear her tackle materials shes missed before. Here she shifts gears impressively into the intimate jazz club mode, performing beautifully arranged takes on a wide variety of standards (from "Come Rain or Come Shine" to "Cry Me a River") under the direction of producer John Snyder and arranger/pianist Cedar Walton. Those two gathered a handful of great jazz players and recorded the initial tracks without James, who had a touch of the flu. A few months later she had recovered and did the amazing vocal sessions which truly sound live and in synch with the music. Beginning with the redemptive theme of "This Bitter Earth," each song allows her to explore both tenderness and guttural emotions, even a little irony on clever twists like "Hes Funny That Way." There are also perfectly placed spotlights for the featured musicians. "This Bitter Earth" and "Hes Funny That Way" feature a thoughtful improvisation by Walton, while Duke Ellingtons "In My Solitude" has a passionate interlude by tenor saxophonist Red Holloway. Most of the vocals are textured over a bed of simmering brass, adding to the old school big band flavor that creates the atmosphere for the project. Its certainly common for great artists to thank their parents for various influences, but James goes one step further on the title track, allowing her mom to sing the tune; mom is no match for her daughter, but its still a unique touch that adds emotional dimension to an already emotionally rich affair. | ||
 | Album: 31 of 36 Title: Lets Roll Released: 2003 Tracks: 12 Duration: 58:33 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Somebody to Love (05:48) 2 The Blues Is My Business (03:33) 3 Leap of Faith (04:00) 4 Strongest Weakness (04:53) 5 Wayward Saints of Memphis (05:42) 6 Lie No Better (03:31) 7 Trust Yourself (04:45) 8 A Change Is Gonna Do Me Good (05:23) 9 Old Weakness (03:12) 10 Stacked Deck (08:01) 11 On the 7th Day (05:01) 12 Please, No More (04:40) |
| Let's Roll : Allmusic album Review : These days, the blues market often functions as a sanctuary for R&B; artists who still provide soul and/or funk as we knew it in the 60s and 70s. Sounding a lot like Sam & Dave or Wilson Pickett wont get you on urban contemporary radio -- actually, it will probably keep you off urban radio -- but it might result in a gig at the Chicago Blues Festival or a contract with Alligator Records. For Etta James, refusing to embrace urban contemporary-style R&B; has meant two things: (1) zero airplay on modern black stations, and (2) an enthusiastic following in the blues market. James has always been more of an R&B; singer than a blues singer, but because shes so rootsy by todays standards, this 2003 release will get much of its support from blues fans. James, who turned 65 on January 25, 2003, is in fine form throughout the CD. Over the years, James has worked with a variety of producers, but she produced Lets Roll herself -- and the result is one of her most rock-minded releases. A few of the tracks have a blues-rock outlook, including "The Blues Is My Business" and a gutsy performance of Billy Becks early-50s hit "Stacked Deck." But much of the time, James favors a rock-influenced approach to Southern soul. In fact, many of the selections recall Ike & Tina Turners 60s and early-70s output, especially "Strongest Weakness," "Lie No Better," and "Somebody to Love" (not to be confused with the psychedelic Jefferson Airplane classic). James longtime fans will be happy to know that she is very much on top of her game throughout this excellent CD. | ||
 | Album: 32 of 36 Title: Blues to the Bone Released: 2004 Tracks: 12 Duration: 47:55 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Got My Mojo Working (03:34) 2 Dont Start Me to Talking (02:52) 3 Hush Hush (03:34) 4 Lil Red Rooster (03:54) 5 Thats Alright (03:42) 6 Crawlin King Snake (05:32) 7 Dust My Broom (03:35) 8 The Sky Is Crying (03:59) 9 Smokestack Lightnin (06:50) 10 You Shook Me (03:51) 11 Driving Wheel (02:59) 12 Honey, Dont Tear My Clothes (03:31) |
| Blues to the Bone : Allmusic album Review : Etta James has worked in countless styles throughout her long career, and she is equally at home singing gospel, R&B, soul, jazz, and even rock & roll, but her roots have always been solidly planted in the blues, and she is arguably the finest living singer active in the genre. Perhaps because she doesnt sing only the blues, however, when she does, it sticks out as something special, and with Blues to the Bone she goes down to the river and dives in completely, turning out a solid album of no-frills, gutbucket performances. Her voice has deepened and coarsened over the years, making it the perfect vehicle of authenticity and authority as she tackles classics of the genre like John Lee Hookers "Crawling King Snake," Robert Johnsons "Dust My Broom," and Howlin Wolfs "Smokestack Lightning," backed by a garage blues combo led by her sons, Donito and Sametto James. James versions bring new dimensions to each of these hoary old chestnuts, which have generally been sung by men, and her smoke-tinged alto makes each her own, instilling them all with a wise, desperate, and confident intimacy. She gives Jimmy Reeds "Hush Hush" a solid reading, while her take on Willie Dixons "Lil Red Rooster" is a tension-filled, atmospheric gem. The most striking track here, however, is James version of the Elmore James tune "The Sky Is Crying," which emerges as epic and poignant. Much of contemporary blues spins on its own excesses and on a hundred years of accumulative clichés, but when an artist like Etta James comes home to sing the blues, the world has to rejoice and take notice, because in her hands the old clichéd phrases become vital and new again. | ||
 | Album: 33 of 36 Title: From the Heart Released: 2009 Tracks: 15 Duration: 1:12:33 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 At Last (03:01) 2 Ive Been Lovin You Too Long (04:22) 3 There Is No Greater Love (05:18) 4 Hes Funny That Way (06:02) 5 Ill Take Care of You (05:01) 6 Come Rain or Shine (05:41) 7 My Man (05:11) 8 Try a Little Tenderness (04:48) 9 Teach Me Tonight (05:01) 10 Time After Time (04:26) 11 Ill Be Seeing You (04:45) 12 My Funny Valentine (05:49) 13 Body and Soul (04:18) 14 The Man I Love (04:28) 15 Night and Day (04:18) |
| From the Heart : Allmusic album Review : Sony Legacys 2009 budget-line release Etta James From the Heart gathers 15 popular romantic themes taken from the singers late- 90s, early- 00s catalog with the exception of "At Last" which is from 1960. While the disc contains several enjoyable moments including "Ive Been Lovin You Too Long," "Try a Little Tenderness," "My Funny Valentine," and "Night and Day," the selection is too haphazard to make the collection a good introduction to that era of her career. Please note that this edition includes the exact same track listing as the 2006 RCA Victor/Legacy release Love Songs. | ||
 | Album: 34 of 36 Title: Call My Name Released: 2011-10-04 Tracks: 24 Duration: 1:07:51 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Happiness (02:51) 2 Thats All I Want From You (02:48) 3 Have Faith in Me (02:43) 4 Im So Glad (I Found Love in You) (03:06) 5 You Are My Sunshine (02:40) 6 It Must Be Your Love (03:00) 7 842-3089 (Call My Name) (03:01) 8 Dont Pick Me for Your Fool (02:32) 9 I Prefer You (03:05) 10 Nobody Loves Me (02:46) 11 Its All Right (02:39) 12 Nobody Like You (02:53) 13 Do Right Woman, Do Right Man (03:00) 14 I Got You Babe (02:27) 15 You Took It (02:38) 16 I Worship the Ground You Walk On (02:26) 17 Ive Gone Too Far (02:22) 18 You Got It (02:27) 19 Misty (03:15) 20 Almost Persuaded (03:22) 21 Slow and Easy (03:19) 22 The Soul of a Man (03:15) 23 Light My Fire (02:53) 24 Miss Pitiful (02:23) |
| Call My Name : Allmusic album Review : Call My Name made for a reasonably strong 1967 soul LP by the standards of most soul singers. It just wasnt one of the standouts in the career of Etta James, given the very high standards she set with her best work. Its certainly OK, but its tilted toward her more aggressive side, with brassy arrangements and without some of the smoldering ballads that were also highlights of her work. As it also features just one R&B; hit, "I Prefer You," it might be something more for serious fans than for general soul or James admirers. Co-producer Monk Higgins has a big hand in the songwriting, co-writing the majority of the tunes, including a couple of the bluesier highlights, "Nobody Loves Me" and "It Must Be Your Love." A couple of covers of familiar classics, "You Are My Sunshine" and Curtis Mayfields "Its All Right," seem a bit like filler. Its certainly a mixed bag of tunes. | ||
 | Album: 35 of 36 Title: The Dreamer Released: 2011-11-14 Tracks: 11 Duration: 50:25 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Groove Me (04:40) 2 Champagne & Wine (03:58) 3 Dreamer (04:58) 4 Welcome to the Jungle (03:01) 5 Misty Blue (04:58) 6 Boondocks (04:12) 7 Cigarettes & Coffee (06:22) 8 In the Evening (04:47) 9 Too Tired (02:32) 10 Thats the Chance You Take (03:48) 11 Let Me Down Easy (07:04) |
| The Dreamer : Allmusic album Review : Apparently, Etta James musical career ends with The Dreamer. The legendary vocalist announced a few months back that this would be her final album; shes retiring from music in order to deal with serious medical issues. Co-produced by James, Josh Sklair, and her sons Danto and Sametto, The Dreamers 11 tracks offer an imperfect but utterly worthy portrait of the places shes been musically with a couple of selections that reveal her dictum that "every song is a blues." Her signature meld of soul, blues, rhythm & blues, rock, and country are all on display here. The production underscores her lifelong commitment to these styles and suits the material at large. Her musical accompanists include not only her co-producers, but guitarists Leo Nocentelli and Big Terry de Rouen, saxophonist Jimmy Z., trombonist Kraig Kilby, and trumpeter Lee Thornburg. Ms. James choice of material is rigorous even if two of its selections are questionable: the cover of Guns N Roses "Welcome to the Jungle" doesnt lend itself well to the choogling boogie arrangement here; and the funkified reading of contemporary country stars Little Big Towns "Boondocks" sounds like she tried too hard to make it fit. These cuts aside, the rest of the material is vintage; it reflects the work of Ms. James influences and contemporaries. Her readings of Otis Reddings "Cigarettes & Coffee" and "Champagne & Wine," Bobby "Blue" Blands "Dreamer," Bob Montgomerys country-pop standard "Misty Blue," Ray Charles "In the Evening," Johnny "Guitar" Watsons "Thats the Chance You Take" and "Too Tired," and Little Miltons "Let Me Down Easy" all contain within them not only their original traces, but the musical experience necessary to bring their subtler, deeper meanings to the fore. She re-creates these songs not as mere touchstones or mementos from a career, but as signposts to the living, breathing tradition that bears the signature and considerable influence of her life upon them. The Dreamer is a fitting -- if not perfect -- bookend to one of American popular musics most iconic lives. | ||
 | Album: 36 of 36 Title: Queen of Soul Released: 2012-05-28 Tracks: 23 Duration: 1:08:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Bobby Is His Name (03:32) 2 I Wish Someone Would Care (02:37) 3 That Man Belongs Back Here With Me (02:28) 4 Somewhere Out There (02:45) 5 Breaking Point (02:27) 6 Flight 101 (03:29) 7 Loving You More Every Day (03:21) 8 Do Right (01:59) 9 I Worry About You (03:15) 10 Mellow Fellow (03:01) 11 You Got Me Where You Want Me (02:52) 12 Only Time Will Tell (03:22) 13 Pushover (02:56) 14 You Cant Talk to a Fool (03:14) 15 Would It Make Any Difference to You (02:40) 16 Stop the Wedding (02:52) 17 How Do You Speak to an Angel (02:39) 18 Be Honest With Me (03:06) 19 Pay Back (02:40) 20 Lover Man (Oh, Were Can You Be) (03:55) 21 Two Sides (To Every Story) (03:03) 22 Tomorrow Night (03:20) 23 I Cant Hold It in Anymore (02:40) |
| Queen of Soul : Allmusic album Review : In part because it didnt have any of her biggest hits, the 1964 album Queen of Soul is a relatively overlooked one in Etta James discography, even for an artist whose LPs werent all that well known. The ten songs are dependable early soul music, though the material isnt quite on the level of her best mid-60s work. "I Wish Someone Would Care" is about the best tune, but James was beaten to the punch on that score by Irma Thomas, who not only recorded the original and superior version, but also wrote the song. The one track to bear a James writing credit ("Bobby Is His Name," co-penned with Ed Townsend) is a pretty lightweight, almost teen pop-influenced number; "That Man Belongs Back Here with Me," co-composed by noted tunesmith Clint Ballard, is fair but not great pop-soul with a jazzy touch; "Flight 101" has a tinge of melodrama, though James typically strong vocal saves it. "Loving You More Every Day" has a satisfying blues-gospel feel, but much of this has dated orchestration, even the closing "Mellow Fellow," which has one of her trademark, throaty, drawn-out testifying openings. Perhaps some of the albums overall unevenness can be attributed to it having been taken from sessions done over a period of two years. | ||