Etta James
Etta James was a legendary American singer known for her powerful voice across blues, R&B, soul, gospel, and jazz genres. Born Jamesetta Hawkins on January 25, 1938, in Los Angeles, California, she rose from gospel roots to become a chart-topping artist with hits like "At Last" and "I'd Rather Go Blind."
James faced a turbulent childhood, raised primarily by foster parents and relatives after her teenage mother struggled with instability. By age 5, she emerged as a gospel prodigy in her Los Angeles church choir and on local radio. At 12, she moved to San Francisco, forming the girl group the Creolettes, later renamed the Peaches, under bandleader Johnny Otis.
In 1954, at age 14, James recorded her breakthrough hit "The Wallflower" (a cleaned-up version of "Roll with Me, Henry") in Los Angeles, launching her solo career with tracks like "Good Rockin' Daddy." Signing with Chess Records in 1960 propelled her to stardom with soulful hits including "All I Could Do Was Cry," "Trust in Me," "At Last," and "Something's Got a Hold on Me."
Heroin addiction, abusive relationships, legal troubles, and health issues derailed her mid-career in the 1960s and 1970s, though she scored later successes like "Tell Mama" and "I'd Rather Go Blind" in 1967-1968. She staged comebacks with albums like Seven Year Itch (1988), underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2003 losing over 200 pounds, and continued performing into the 2000s with releases like All the Way (2006).
James earned four Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1993), Blues Hall of Fame (2001), and Grammy Hall of Fame. Her 1961 "At Last" entered the National Recording Registry in 2008. She published her autobiography Rage to Survive in 1995 and died on January 20, 2012, in Riverside, California, at age 73 from leukemia complications.
At Last!
2 My Dearest Darling (E. Bocage, P. Gayten 3:01)
3 Trust In Me (Schwartz, Ager, Wever 3:08)
4 A Sunday Kind Of Love (Leonard, Belle, Prima, Rhodes 3:15)
5 Tough Mary (C. Uto 2:24)
6 I Just Want To Make Love To You (W. Dixon 3:03)
7 At Last (Warren, Gordon 3:00)
8 All I Could Do Is Cry (B. Davis 2:57)
9 Stormy Weather (Arlen, Koehler 3:07)
10 Boy Of My Dreams (Charles Clapp 2:21)
Label: Argo – LPS 4003
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1960
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul, Blues
At Last! is the debut studio album by American blues and soul artist Etta James, released in November 1960 on Argo Records, a subsidiary of Chess Records. The album is widely celebrated as a cornerstone of blues and soul history, renowned for its varied program of music, emotional intensity, and James's powerful vocal performance.
Producers Phil and Leonard Chess aimed for crossover appeal, backing James's raw, gospel-infused voice with sophisticated orchestral arrangements conducted by Riley Hampton. The album seamlessly blends blues, R&B, soul, jazz standards, and doo-wop, defying easy categorization.
Critics laud James's "fiery growl" and nuanced phrasing, which expertly transition from powerful blues shouting to subtle, airy tenderness. Her delivery is considered fearless and raw, bringing authenticity and emotional depth to every track.
The album features James's signature song, the title track "At Last," which became a timeless classic and a popular choice for weddings despite its modest initial pop chart performance. Other notable tracks include the R&B hits "All I Could Do Was Cry" and "Trust in Me," as well as covers of classics like "Stormy Weather" and "I Just Want to Make Love to You".
At Last! is consistently ranked among the greatest albums of its era. Rolling Stone has included it on its "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list, and Pitchfork named it one of the best albums of the 1960s. Its emotional honesty and artistry continue to influence generations of singers.
The album captures Etta James at her peak, showcasing her versatility and emotional range in a "swinging and varied program" that remains a definitive work of American music.
Queen Of Soul
Written-By – Ed Townsend, Etta James
3:40
A2 I Wish Someone Would Care
Written-By – Irma Thomas
2:35
A3 That Man Belongs Back Here With Me
Written-By – Angela Riela, Clint Ballard Jr.
2:23
A4 Somewhere Out There
Written-By – B.Davis, C.Smith, W. McKinley
2:43
A5 Breaking Point
Written-By – Maurice McAlister
2:26
B1 Flight 101
Written-By – Cathy Lynn, Robert Higginbotham
3:25
B2 Loving You More Every Day
Written-By – Ronny Mitchell
3:17
B3 Do Right
Written-By – Fred Johnson, Leroy Kirkland, Pearl Woods
1:57
B4 I Worry About You
Written-By – Norman Mapp
3:15
B5 Mello Fellow
Written-By – Ed Townsend
3:03
Label: Argo – LP-4040
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1964
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul
Etta James's 1964 Queen of Soul album is a powerful showcase of her dynamic vocal range and compelling soul, featuring gripping tracks like "Bobby Is His Name" and "I Worry About You," demonstrating her command over aggressive R&B and soulful ballads, though it's seen as a compilation of material from 1962-1964 that, despite its quality and potent claim to the "Queen" title, was somewhat overlooked upon release but remains essential for its raw emotion and versatility.
The album highlights James's exceptional voice, shifting between forceful "I'm the boss" delivery and tender, emotive ballads, proving her versatility. Tracks span from country-tinged numbers to jazzy standards and raw R&B, showcasing her ability to master different styles.
It's compiled from sessions recorded between late 1962 and late 1964, effectively capturing her sound during the burgeoning soul era.
While a powerful statement, especially for its time, it didn't achieve massive commercial success initially but is now recognized as a significant work in her catalog, especially in reissued versions with bonus tracks.
The title itself is seen as a confident claim to the throne, even as Aretha Franklin would soon claim it, with James providing ample evidence for her right to the title.
While modern reissues have garnered high praise—including a 4/5 star rating from AllMusic—the album was not a major commercial success upon its initial release. Critics often view it as a "mixed bag" that captures James between her early R&B roots and the powerhouse soul style she would later perfect at Fame Studios.
In essence, Queen of Soul is a vital, emotionally resonant collection that cemented Etta James's status as a soul music giant, even if it wasn't her most famous record at the time of its release.