ETTA JAMES
Best Of - The Millennium Collection (MCA)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Tucked amongst some more obvious choices from the extensive MCA catalog, this collection of eleven tracks from Etta James tenure with Chess Records in the 1960s is one of the best discs in the Millennium Collection series, and one of the best reasons for doing such a series in the first place.

Operating in the space where the blues meets R&B, and demonstrating the importance of the church to both styles, Etta James is one of the premiere performers of the last forty years, and would be one of the biggest stars as well if her career hadn't been hampered from time to time by her struggle with drugs (the good news is that Etta won). In the 60s, Chess billed her as their "Queen Of Soul," and she was one of the few who possessed the chops to seriously challenge Aretha's claim to the throne.

The collection at hand includes some of her finest performances, including "At Last," "Tell Mama" and "I'd Rather Go Blind." It there's a gap in your collection under "J", fill it now. If you're a fan, you'll be happy to have these classic cuts collected in one place.

Track List: At Last * Something's Got A Hold On Me * All I Could Do Was Cry * Stop The Wedding * Pushover * Don't Cry Baby * Trust In Me * My Dearest Darling * Tell Mama * Almost Persuaded * I'd Rather Go Blind

© 1999 - Shaun Dale