Don't Go to Strangers

Etta Jones | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Prestige
• ASIN: B000000YGN
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #177,168 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars And don't forget the name., January 31, 2001

By 

Samuel Chell (Kenosha,, WI United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Don't Go to Strangers (Audio CD)

I rarely meet people familiar with Etta Jones. And often those who say they know her work are really thinking of Etta James (a fine singer in her own right, but lacking that signature Billie Holiday timbre and phrasing that belong only to Etta). What distinguishes Etta from Lady Day is the former's perpetually gregarious, good-humored spirit that invites us to have fun with her rather than share her life experiences. That quality was in abundant evidence when I caught her recently at Chicago's Jazz Showcase. Unfortunately, the sound system was unworthy of her, producing an unwanted metallic edge. But I solved the problem by playing this album when I got home. [Postscript: I like this CD so much, I purchased the RVG 2006 remastered edition (pink cover). To my ears, the "hotter" mix, "punched-up" sound, and "enhanced" reverb of the new edition make this earlier edition (yellow cover) the better bet. Regardless, take whatever you can get.]

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A jewel for your collection., October 8, 2000

By 

B. Selznick (Westminster, CO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Don't Go to Strangers (Audio CD)

Sit back, turn up the volume, unplug the phone and prepare to be impressed. Jones captures the best aspects of Billie Holiday and Nancy Wilson, but she's really more than either because of her unique phrasing and interpretation, plus a great voice. She puts her mark on every song she sings. "On the Street Where You Live" may not sound right at first, but Etta's version soon becomes the only way you want to hear this standard. Not only are you going to need a screwdriver to get this CD out of the player, but you might as well buy two copies now because your friends will be asking. I've bought 4 already, 3 gift copies. A great jazz recording, a great jazz artist, your money is well spent on this one.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 12 years and counting, April 29, 2000

By 

A Baily "A Baily" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Go to Strangers (Audio CD)

I've been listening to this album for 12 years -- starting when it was an LP in my parents' collection and I was in middle school -- and bought it at least twice for myself (it was stolen once) on CD. There's no saying in words what Etta Jones' voice does with music, but it's a good thing: earthy, smooth, mellifluous, her voice pours out of her like wine, intoxicating and enchanting.

Jones glides through moods and modes, speaks the languages of merry mischief ("It Could Happen to You", "Yes Sir, That's My Baby," ""I Love Paris") and haunted lovesickness ( in the eternally stunning title track, "Don't Go to Strangers," Billie Holiday's "Fine and Mellow," "Something to Remember You By") with equal fluency --and sometimes in the same song ("Bye, Bye Blackbird").

The whole world should own this album.