Blue Gardenia [Import]

Etta James | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 21, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: RCA Victor
• ASIN: B00005NHMU
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,570 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #34 in Music > Blues > Vocal Blues

Editorial Reviews

CD > POPULAR MUSIC > JAZZ

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Etta and Cedar Walton: the perfect marriage, August 22, 2001

By 

Wally Black "wally1969" (Argentina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blue Gardenia (Audio CD)

Once again Etta works with the great Cedar Walton. Once again a great record. These collection is the perfect saga for "Mistery Lady" and "Time after Time". Etta's voice is in top form. The album has a surprise: Etta's mom sings "Blue Gardenia". My favorite tracks are "These foolish things", "Cry me a river" and "My man". Etta James is a soulful singer and a great artist. I love her!!!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the slings and arrows in song, January 11, 2005

By 

Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Blue Gardenia (Audio CD)

This disc gives us a mature, world-weary Etta, who sings her heart out in this fabulous jazz album, mostly about the slings and arrows of love, obsession, and in "He's Funny That Way", a recognition of one's own character failures. One of the main strengths of the CD is the choice of material, which consists of some of the best melodies and strongest lyrics ever written, and Etta wrings every ounce of soul out of them.
Outstanding are "Love Letters", "Cry Me a River", and the one that sticks with me long after the CD is over is "My Man".

This is music that will be appreciated by those who have been through the mill and come out a little bruised; those unscathed by life and love might not appreciate this recording, which may be one of Etta's finest, in the same way.
The musicians are superb, and echo the vocals in feeling. Cedar Walton on piano, Ronnie Buttacavoli on trumpet, Josh Sklair on guitar, and Red Holloway on tenor sax are stellar, as well as Tony Dumas, bass / Ralph Pendland, drums / George Bohannon, trumpet, and on "Love Letters", Rick Baptist, flugelhorn and Ron Powell on percussion.
The final track is sung by Etta's mother, Dorothy Leatherwood, and she'll bring a tear to your eye with her rendition of "Blue Gardenia".

Recorded between November of 2000 and March of 2001, the sound is terrific, and has a very intimate sound, as if one were front row and center in a small club.
The fold-out insert has a song list, recording info and liner notes: no lyrics, but one of the beauties of Etta's singing is her diction, and she makes every word understandable; there are no "misheard lyrics" on this CD.
Total playing time is 61'20.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hypnotic!, October 5, 2001

By 

Lady Murasaki (Washington, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blue Gardenia (Audio CD)

I first heard this album at Tower Records. I was hypnotized! Blue Gardenia is the first jazz album I ever bought and because of Etta James' beautiful voice it is definitely not my last. I can listen to this album over and over again. She has such a richness to her voice that I have never heard. Listen to a sample, and you'll see what I mean!