The Essential Etta James

R&B giant Etta James passed away early this year, and the news media were filled with stories of her legendary life, a life filled with triumph and pain. Her intense vocal style was both acclaimed and influential, winning her six Grammy Awards and a devoted following. Janis Joplin owed much to her, as did singers from Gladys Knight and Bonnie Raitt to Christina Aguilera and Beyonce, who portrayed her in a 2008 biopic. Equally at home in the blues, soul, and jazz, James could croon tenderly in one moment and bring the house down with gutbucket shouting in the next.This two-CD compilation is a fine summation of Etta's later career, but it should not be confused with her collected work on another two-disc set with precisely the same title from the Chess/MCA label. That set is far more essential than this one, since it contains her original hits from the 60s and 70s: "All I Could Do Was Cry," "A Sunday Kind of Love," "At Last," "Fool That I Am," "Something's Got a Hold on Me," "Stop the Wedding," "Pushover," "Lovin' You More Every Day," "I'd Rather Go Blind," "Tell Mama," "Almost Persuaded," "Losers Weepers," and many others, including terrific interpretations of Randy Newman songs like "You Can Leave Your Hat On" and "God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind)."But this collection is wonderful, too, presenting selections from albums released between 1994 and 2005, after James overcame heroin addiction and alcoholism in the 80s. Her voice was huskier and slightly less supple than it had been in her prime, but she still had an inimitable, bluesy way with melodies and lyrics.On the first CD, she covers 16 songs by a variety of rock and soul artists, including Creedence Clearwater Revival, Otis Redding, James Brown, The Rolling Stones, Alice Cooper, and Prince, which originally appeared on her albums "Let's Roll," "Love's Been Rough on Me," "Matriarch of the Blues," and others. She also takes on blues tunes like "Crawlin' King Snake" (John Lee Hooker), "Hush Hush" (Jimmy Reed), and "Lil' Red Rooster" (Willie Dixon) from her "Blues to the Bone" release.The second disc is mainly jazz from the composers of the Great American Songbook: Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Rodgers and Hart, the Gershwins, Duke Ellington, and many more. These 15 songs are excerpted from the albums "Time After Time," "Blue Gardenia," "The Heart of a Woman," and "Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday." Etta also revisits her most famous tune, "At Last," to good effect.This compilation is recommended as a complement to the Chess recordings. It's a real pleasure, and whether you're a fan or a newcomer to Etta James' music, it will give you a fuller picture of what was a very full life.

A nice collection for Etta lovers. I already have a lot of her recordings, but wanted "The Blues Is My Business." Scored! For my money, I really like her side "Back to the 50's" But this is a more mature, seasoned Etta on these recordings. Her version of "Only Women Bleed" is great!

This is one of my favorites while driving. Etta can sho' sang as they used to say. I love listening to this lady. This was a great purchase and arrived fast and as described.

Great artist and CD

I love the voice of Etta James and this CD has some of her best!

If you're one that is not famillar with Etta James work...this CD is well rounded. You get the Blues, as well as the Jazz standards. This CD encompass her many genre of style and songs. It will not disappoint. If you're a true fan of Etta James, you'll want to add this to your collection.

I was seeking to buy the original versions of her songs. I have heard on the internet better and more soulful renditions of her songsI had seen this album and knew it was too 'new' and the it had the new versions of her songs so knew that this album was the one I did NOT want. That's what I can't understand when I ordered I wouldn't have chosen this etta james album and are sure I chose a different album but don't have the receipts or email. It is my fault for not keeping the records of purchase. Next time I will be more careful

This was just not quite what I had in mind, not the artist fault. I just shoul have picked another CD. The seller was great got it right on time.

It is what we were looking ford.

Die hat mir noch in meiner Sammlung gefehlt. Gute Güte. So wird das was mit dem Hörsturz beim Nachbarn. Er wird mich lieben.

Tutto ok.