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Very well recorded with At Last being the signature piece of her career and the highlight of the album.
I bought this CD because I wanted the "At Last"cut, thinking the rest of the CD would have songs as good as or close in quality to that song. Not even. The only song I play on that CD is that one because the rest are such a disappointment. Wouldn't have bought it if I had heard it all the way thru.
There is no equal to singing the "Blues" like Etta James. This CD is some of the best of her work. She is as good as ever.
This was my choice for my first Etta James album. Her voice, choice of songs and music arrangements on this one is spectacular. I couldn't be more pleased.
Etta James was an outstanding vocalist, in the class of Mama Thornton, Koko Taylor, Valerie Wellington, Dinah Washington, and others of top caliber. Throughout, the listener is treated to Etta's masterful blending of controlled phrasing, smooth understatement, and gritty blues growling. This tremendous recording combines the soulful singing of Etta James with tasteful string arrangements in the orchestral style associated with Nat King Cole and other pop/jazz singers of the 1950s.Along with the strings is a good dose of '50s triplet R&B and honking horn sounds ala King Curtis. Congratulations to the producers of this excellent sampling of Etta's work. It is not an raw, edgy blues CD-although Etta could also sing that style with the best of them-but one that is closer to the emotion-packed torch-blues style.Traditional country music fans may notice with some interest that Etta often closes a vocal phrase with the same little three-note turn that was also used extensively by Ernest Tubb and Porter Wagoner. And guitarists will note that the minor pentatonic guitar R&B licks and harmonized fourths played on the top two strings are also staples in country music. Great singing, great songs, great arranging, tasteful musicianship throughout. Highly recommended to all lovers of good music.
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