Etta James - Her Best

While several best-ofs from Etta James' Chess period have been available over the years -- with the two-disc, 44-track Essential Etta James at the top of the list in giving the big picture -- this 20-track collection sweats that bigger picture down to bare essentials. For those wishing to finally sample Etta's classic period at Chess without opening the wallet for box set expense, this single-disc retrospective will fill the bill quite nicely. Featuring 20 of the tracks that appear on the double-disc Essential anthology without anything literally essential left off, this scintillating little disc now officially becomes the one-stop, first-time purchase in connecting with the emotional greatness inherent in Etta's siren song. There's plenty more after this to discover, but this is absolutely where you start. ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide

Name Credits Aaron Varnell Saxophone Al Duncan Drums Albert Lowe Guitar Andy McKaie Producer, Compilation Producer Barry Beckett Organ Billy Davis Producer Carl Banks Organ Charles Chalmers Saxophone Chuck Rainey Bass David Hood Bass, Bass (Electric) David T. Walker Guitar Dewey Oldham Piano, Organ Erick Labson Digital Remastering, ? Etta James Vocals Floyd Newman Saxophone Freeman Brown Drums Gabriel Mekler Producer Gavrell Cooper Sax (Tenor) Geary Chansley Photo Research Gene Miller Trumpet George Davis Piano Harvey Fuqua Performer James Mitchell Saxophone Jim Marshall Photography Jimmy Johnson Guitar John Young Piano Ken Marco Guitar Kenny Rice Drums King Errisson Conga Marion Wright Bass Matt "Guitar" Murphy Guitar Meire Murakami Design Peter Grendysa Liner Notes Ralph Bass Producer Ray Avery Photography Reggie Boyd Bass Richard Waters Drums Rick Hall Producer Riley Hampton Arranger, Conductor Roger Dawkins Drums Sugar Pie DeSanto Performer Vartan Art Direction Vonzell Cooper Organ William D. "Smitty" Smith Keyboards