Etta James

PLUS 4 BONUS TRACKS

INCLUDES FREE MP3 ALBUM DOWNLOAD

Etta James’ powerful, versatile and emotionally direct voice could enliven the raunchiestblues as well as the subtlest love songs (such as “My Dear” or her signature hit, “At Last”). One of the greatest R&B singers of all time (as well as one of the mosticonic soul artists), she had an amazing ability to interpret old-fashioned yet timeless melodies. Etta (Jamesetta Hawkins, January 25, 1938 – January 20, 2012) sang with unmatched emotional hunger and a pain that continues to chill listeners to this day.

Perhaps the most astounding thing about Etta James’ voice was how it traveled so freely in so many different musical circles, which was also the most evident aspect of the tributes given to her over the years. No matter what she sang — R&B, blues, soul, jazz, pop — her voice was one that got your blood pumping.

Long unavailable on vinyl, this quintessential collector’s edition includes her self-titledthird LP Etta James, originally released in July 1962 on the Argo label (a subsidiary of Chess Records). In addition, this release includes 4 bonus tracksfrom the same period. Fusing rhythm & blues with pop and soul, Etta James was co-produced by Ralph Bass with the Chess brothers, and featured accompaniment by the Riley Hampton Orchestra. It spawned the single, “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” b/w “Waiting for Charlie to Come Home”. The latter track was written for Etta by Burt Bacharach and reached number 42 on the Billboard Pop Chart in 1962.

This sensational LP also included two duets with Harvey Fuqua: “If I Can’t Have You” and the well known “Spoonful” (a blues song written by Willie Dixon that was first recorded by Howlin’ Wolf in 1960), which were previously released as singles by James and Fuqua on the Chess label.

PERSONNEL:

ETTA JAMES
lead vocals on all tracks, plus:

The Riley Hampton Orchestra.
Harvey Fuqua (duet vocals with Etta on “If I Can’t Have You” and “Spoonful”).

Recorded by Ron Malo at Chess Studios, Chicago, Illinois, between 1960 and 1962. Arranged and conducted by Riley Hampton.
Produced by Ralph Bass, and Leonard & Phil Chess.

SIDE 1
01. WAITING FOR CHARLIE (TO COME HOME)
02. GUESS AGAIN
03. A LOVER’S MOURN
04. YOU CAN COUNT ON ME
05. IF I CAN’T HAVE YOU
06. HOW BIG A FOOL (*)
07. STREET OF TEARS (*)

SIDE 2
01. SOMETHING’S GOT A HOLD ON ME
02. MY DEAR
03. NOBODY BUT YOU
04. LET ME KNOW
05. SPOONFUL
06. NEXT DOOR TO THE BLUES (*)
07. STOP THE WEDDING (*)