Etta James
 Whether she sings string-laden pop ballads, lively soul, or
gritty electric blues, James's high-powered, enormously expressive voice
displays a knack for passionate blues inflections. Emotionally charged ballads
including "At Last" and "All I Could Do is Cry" find James
blasting through the orchestra with unearthly wails and moans. "If I Can't
Have You," a duet with Harvey Fuqua, drops the orchestra in favor of
horn-driven R&B and "Something's Got a Hold On Me" is a
gospel-flavored romp reminiscent of Ray Charles. A live version of Jimmy Reed's
"Baby, What You Want Me to Do" shows her raunchiest Chicago-blues
style, and "In the Basement," with Sugar Pie DeSanto, is a funky
workout. Also here are three classics from her soul-drenched 1967 Muscle Shoals
sessions. --Marc Greilsamer
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