Search - Etta James :: Definitive Collection

What a Singer

G. Bartrem | Inkster, MI United States | 01/17/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Etta James is Queen of the blues in my book. I remember the first time I herd her sing her signature song "At Last", I just had to find out who she was, and if there were any more CDs by Etta James. I found them all here on Amazon. I bought every one of them so far. When Ms. james sings in her soft voice, my wife and I just want to cuddle up together and watch the sun go down slowly. When Etta sings in her bawdy blues voice the listner will find him or herself wishing they were in a somkey blues joint sipping on whiskey and chugging a beer. You just can't keep you feet still when Etta James sings the blues.



This collection of songs is good for the beginner, or for a person who does not want to delve very far in to Ms. James music. When you get hooked on "The Queen of the Blues" you'll need to check out the Chess collection recordings of Ms. Etta James."

Good Rockin' Mama!

Josh P. | 06/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"How do you cover an artist with nearly 50 years worth of recorded material

on one disc? Use this as an example. With so many different collections of artists like Ms. Etta James out there, it can be a complicated task of what to choose. Others may focus on one particular area of her recording career, but this one goes all the way back to her 1955 smash of "The Wallflower (Dance With Me Henry)" all the way up to a 2004 recording of a blues recording "The Sky Is Crying" in which her sons take part in the production. Many of the well known Argo/Cadet sides from the '60s are represented like "At Last", "Something's Got A Hold On Me", and "Tell Mama" and then moving on to her gutsy and gritty rendition of "Take It To The Limit" from 1978, which was so chilling and moving, and ending up in the '80s and '90s with some Nashville recordings containing a country tinge to them as well as a Gershwin tune "The Man I Love", and Otis Redding's "I've Been Loving You Too Long." Etta had such a versatile style from cool, refined, and seductive to passionate, gutsy and rollicking. If only some young female singers today could take a lesson from her; she could do it all, and is still doing it today. That's why this package can do wonders for somebody who wants to know which great artists from the past are still performing today and wants to see a dynamic balance and mix of different material in a career-spanning perspective. This one certainly has it. With so much material from her earlier years, some things may be missing, but as stated before, with one disc in a complete career overview theme in mind, the debate rests on what really is essential in representing the artist's entire career. All 23 tunes are very enjoyable. If you're new to Etta, this a great place to start."

Super Fine Lady of Rock and Roll, Blues and Soul

Rosario E. Torres | San Antonio, Texas United States | 02/20/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a fan Of Etta James's singing ever since hearing her sing "My Dearest Darling" and my true, true, favorite of all her songs, "At Last". I think she's a rare and very touching soul singer. Her singing always has touched my heart and soul in a very emotional way. This lady sings feelings and emotions that you know she's really lived through. And when she sings happy more upbeat songs she rocks and rolls your heart too. In fact I did'nt even know that that was her singing "Dance With Me Henry" back in the fifties. Of course I was just about nine or ten and I was just discovering all the great rock and roll music of the fifties. That's why when I hear her singing "Something's Got A Hold On Me" "Tell Mama" , "All I Could Do Is Cry" "Stop The Wedding" whew that girl's singing still blows me away. Etta has that powerful voice that even in her later years can still sway your heart just listen to her version of the Eagles "Take It To The Limit" or Otis Reading's "I've Been Loving You Too Long", her voice is a little deeper but can still grab your soul. God Bless Etta James she's a national treasure."