Essential [Best of]

This is an excellent cross-section of Miss James' vocal ability. It's all here - smoke-filled standards, rockin' R&B, scorching soul, and yes indeed, torch songs to put modern "divas" to shame. Though Etta's voice has spectacular range and emotional drive, these recordings do not contain the shrill vocal calesthenics forced on us by the 90's pop divas. The result was this ultra-quality collection, which I guarantee you will never loan out, even to your best friend.

Ken while I agree with almost everything you say, I have to inform you of an error. The outstanding soul tune "Tell Mama" IS NOT the "Memphis Sound." It is in fact part of the immortal legacy of Rick Hall's FAME Studios in the Southern Soul Mecca of MUSCLE SHOALS, ALABAMA. Trust me check out the orginal liner notes. Or just check out the FAME Studios Website.

"Etta" Wails, "I'd Rather Go Blind", and ALL I can say is; "Yeah, me too, mama, PLEASE, just don't EVER render me "deaf"!! This "W.O.M.A.N."; can and DOES, "render me awestruck, not to mention, dumbstruck with her sheer "gutesy, simmering, beltin', sheer vocal force/power, and then DOES IT AGAIN, when she "ratches-down" that INCREDIBLE RANGE of her's (doesn't get any better than THIS, folks) and into her OWN "stylistic-trademark "cruise-control", to give us the treat of her "smooth, sly, earthy delivery of her "gentler?-side"; joking here, of course she does have it, and displays it, in all her multifaceted hues, and glory; her instintual brilliance of interpretation is unequaled, and unrivaled. THE MUSIC HEREIN. Well, the "raw jewels" at her absolute "zenith" are pretty much all here. Then they jusy casually drop in previous unreleased "gems", such as "I Never Meant To Love Him", now a personal fave of mine, and her OWN rendition of Aretha"s "Do Right Womam, Do Right Man"; and I'm certainly hard-pressed to say who's version is better. Different, not better. Two cds "chock-full", each containing 22 "cuts' and ALL "prime-Etta", in any style, or aproachto this staggering array of material. I take issue with "other prior posters" who said they weren't ALL "keepers", you can "Lose and Weep" all you want to. I can't find one "sub-standard" cut anywhere here. None. Personal fave "standouts": "Almost Persuaded", a blistering, searing "God"s Song" (That's Why I Love Mankind); and a true "barnburner" by anyone's standards, the aptly titled "Let's Burn Down The Cornfield"; and man, oh, man-does she EVER!! I certainly felt raw, and than "crispy" by the end of cd No. 2. (Appropriately, the "closer". Randy Newman has GOT to be "one proud papa" with these to two seminal/stellar "inteprets". Of course, by the end of this "rollercoaster-ride", over the course of these entire cds "contents", I was "slack-jawed"; and that's putting it lightly. Other noteables: "Waiting For Charlie (To Come Home)"; "Would It Make Any Difference To You", "Pushover""Payback", a bone-chilling rendition of "All The Way Down"; and "closer" on cd No.1, "Baby What You Want Me To Do"-LIVE! YEOWWW! This "comp." is a Very thrifty bargain at any price. Need I say it again? GET THIS "SET"!! You can't POSSIBLY lose. Promise!Lynn Luv, or; Nancy N.