The Chess Box [Box set, Original recording remastered]

Etta James | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 27, 2000)
• Original Release Date: June 27, 2000
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set, Original recording remastered
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Chess
• ASIN: B00004TS85
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,873 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #18 in Music > Blues > Vocal Blues
  • #46 in Music > Blues > Electric Blues
  • #54 in Music > Box Sets

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

You can't have too much Etta James. Really. This long-overdue collection of the singer's Chess recordings includes much of her best work. Three CDs' worth. 72 tracks. Shivers abound just thinking about it. Of course, all the songs you'd expect are here: "I Just Want to Make Love to You," "Spoonful," "Something's Got a Hold on Me," "Tell Mama," and, naturally, "At Last," among many, many others. But you don't need me to convince you why Etta James is worth hearing; what you want to know is, is this box set worth the price? Well, it's got almost everything you'd find on At Last, James's first studio album and widely considered her best, and it includes the same material as Her Best, which up to now was hands-down the best introduction to the glory that is Etta James. But say you've already got that stuff, why would you want this? Well, first of all, the packaging is stellar. A 40-page booklet comes in a handsomely presented box, which contains a wealth of pictures, quotes, and perspectives that do much to illuminate what made James's 16-year period at Chess Records so special. There are definitely a few musical chestnuts here; several previously unreleased tracks, as well as a few that were released as singles only. Notable inclusions are a previously unreleased version of "You Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" and a live version of "At Last." Whether or not it's possible to distill the work of a singer like Etta James down to three CDs, this is a very strong collection and an admirable effort to get the best of Etta all in one place. --Genevieve Williams

Product Description

No Description Available.
Genre: Blues Music
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 27-JUN-2000

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Choose your favourite disc,if you can!, June 1, 2001

By 

Sasha "lampic" (at sea...sailing somewhere) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Chess Box (Audio CD)

One of the most satisfactory CD-Boxes I ever stumbled upon,this 3 Cd collection folows Etta James rise from her early 1960's violin-backed ballads to her glorious Memphis days and funk in 1970's.Of course,she recorded prior to "Chess" and afterwards,but these were her golden years and this carefully compiled Box shows what amazing singer she was in her prime.Those unfamiliar with her start (or with a music climate in early 1960's) would be surprised with some choices,but for me having Etta ballad/jazz/pop/country/soul/funk/philly-sound/blues songs all at one place means hours of pleasure without being bored with just one music style.What all these songs have in common is her big,powerful voice and whatever she sings,she is 100% into it - check her "St.Louis Blues" or previously unreleased (!)"You've Lost That Loving Feeling".Althought is hard to select favourite disc (and chart-wise,disc 1. was her best-selling period),last disc which follows her less commercial early 1970's period is absolute brilliant.The Box closes with breathtaking "Loving Arms" which moves me to tears,often sung country ballad that James sings while falling to pieces.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easily eans its 5 stars! What a woman! Grrrrrrrr!, January 8, 2004

By 

guillermoj (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Chess Box (Audio CD)

A woman renamed Etta James hit the R&B charts at age 16, when she forged her mother's signature (who was in jail at the time) to allow her to tour and made a living performing where ever she could when soul fell from mass favor. The key to her endurance, as she is still singing, is her versatility and ability to hit home runs with great songs and work around the less than stellar songs.

On early Chess singles the ballad "My Dearest Darling" and the more raunchy "I Just Want to Make Love to You," James coos and growls like a tigress. There is the inside glance at her personal life on duets with a man she had a huge crush on, Harvey Fuqua. Though the young love was apparently unrequited, there is an intimacy inherent in their version of "If I Can't Have You," while a smoldering sexuality pervades "Spoonful." The first CD also has a song that introduced me to James a few years back. You have heard of a little tune called "At Last." I am obviously kidding about "little tune" as that song is on fire.

The second CD introduced me to a mostly unknown (at least to me) R&B singer Sugar Pie DeSanto who duets with James on the screaming party tune "In the Basement" and the sweet and soulful "Do I Make Myself Clear." These women should have recorded together more often as they make a raging fire. Ett a also tackles country with her signature approach and the result may have to get a new name. I suggest "Soultry"."I Prefer You" and "Tell Mama" are scorching.

James began covering rock songs in the late '60s, and both the successful and the not-so-great are included in the third CD of this box set. Although this is the least potent CD of the 3, it has some surprises including the fire-causing "Let's Burn Down The Cornfield," which has to be one of the sexiest songs ever.

The insert is informative as it tells you about Etta's life and has some great pictures. It nothing out of this world, so buy this for the music and although its pricey, I think that it's worth every dime and then some.

The 72 songs on this box set are placed chronologically, and it's rather astonishing how strong all these recordings are, from her terrific vocals to the songs themselves. Her producers weren't sure what to do with the big, bold voice of a woman-child, but she did her thing while they tried to figure out what to do with her. I for one I am glad that they never quite figured it out as it makes for a great victory for song interpretation.

This is a must have release and it easily earns the highest rating possible, independently that some of the songs are not as good as the singer. This set can at times give you a window to the history of rock/soul. May Etta sing until her last breath. I feel very fortunate to have discovered this woman. By the way, my "discovery" only occurred due to the good people at Amazon.com who take the time to rate everything from their favorites and those almost universally panned. This forum is great because it is truly democratic and by being able to read why people give the ratings that they do, I can learn a lot about potential purchases. Thank you guys and enjoy Etta!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AT LAST!, July 3, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Chess Box (Audio CD)

A must for every Etta James fan! The collection covering 24 years of the Chess period showcases Etta at her best. The songs taped from live concerts puts the listener center front. This is by far an exemplary collection of her best!