Customer Reviews

Etta James and the Roots Band - Burning Down the House

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Get this DVD if you are into Blues... Etta will be history someday and you wont want to miss out on this. This concert kind of reminded me of watching BB King now a days...she sits during the whole show. Don't get me wrong she belts out the blues, she's just getting older.

My favorite song she does is I'd Rather Go Blind. This is one of the better versions of this song that she does. The only version I've seen better is only available on VHS (hint, hint, please re-release and remaster on DVD). It was a special with Etta, Dr, John, BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Albert King and many others. Some of the others are not around anymore.

If you are into the Blues you wont want to miss this. The picture quality is fair to good and the sound is Dolby 5.1 and stereo.

Etta James has expanded her boundaries during the last several years, incorporating more sophisticated and lavish productions, particularly with her jazz and gospel recordings. Despite the forays into other musical genres (where she is imminently competent), her rockin' blues songs on this live set are incredibly soulful and arguably represent the peak of her achievements since her Chess and Cadet days in the '60s.
Do yourself a favor and get this set on dvd or cd, and also get her blistering set from 1963, "Etta James Rocks the House". Then you'll have 2 remarkable shows bookending 40 years of the ongoing career of the real Queen of Soul.

Etta James has had a long, distinguished career in music, which is reflected in the 90-minute concert now available on this DVD.
In front of an enthusiastic audience, she delivers 15 songs in her trade-mark, tough and tender, take-no-prisoners style that puts her up with the elite artists of our time. The songs cover blues, soul, rhythm and blues, jazz, funk and even some flat-out rock--Etta handles sensitive ballads and raucus ravers with equal emotion and heart. Although seated throughout the concert, she knows how to connect with an audience.

She is backed by The Roots Band, a large group of talented musicians, that includes two of Etta's sons. I guess talent can be hereditary ! The set includes Etta's most famous song, "At Last", which still retains its magic after so many years--but there are other highlights too--" I Just Want To Make Love To You ", "Breaking Up Somebody's Home"' "I'd Rather Go Blind", even "Born To Be Wild"--also I'm betting that her rendition of "Love and Happiness/Take Me To The River" would bring a smile to the Reverend Al Green's face !

The technical quality of the DVD is good, but not perfect. The picture occasionally seems a bit hazy--the sound perhaps not as sharp as it should be. At the same time, it adds to the atmosphere of the event--an R & B concert in a blues club is not a Mozart quartet recital ! This music is supposed to be a little rough around the edges.

When you are thinking of the great "ladies of song"--Bessie, Billie, Ella, Sarah, Dinah, Aretha--don't forget Etta--she belongs !

A very sad footnote, dated 20 January 2012. Ms. Etta James has passed away. She had a truly remarkable voice, and the talent to make any song her own. This is a sad day indeed for music.

One of the most under-rated, under appreciated talents in the music and record industry. Not very many artist have stayed the course through the obstactles and maintained at the top of their craft. Etta James in truly Queen of what she sings.

This is a very entertaining DVD. The DVD arrived earlier then expected and it was a joy watching Etta in concert.

The name Etta James goes back in my memory to associations with my first listening to rock music on the old transistor radio in the late 1950's. At that time, I believe, her music was in the old doo wop tradition of the late 1950's, a music that I was fairly soon to dismiss out of hand as the `bubble gum' music that was prevalent in that period between the height of Elvis/Jerry Lee/Carl Perkins classic rock & rock and the Beatles and The Rolling Stones. That is where things were left until a dozen years ago or more when Etta `stole the show' at the Newport Folk Festival. Well, we live and learn.

Here we have Etta doing all the songs in a 2001 concert being recorded for an album that she is justly famous for like "Come To Mama", "Born Blue" and "I Rather Be A Blind Girl" as well as some nice covers in her own style of the likes of Steppenwolf' "Born To Be Wild". Just a nice solid performance with a good back up band, including a couple of her sons.

After more than 40 years, Etta still delivers a great performance. This DVD shows why she's in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The great singers, the great performers, can deliver raw, live performances without all the hype, pomp and circumstance. They don't rely on the takes and re-takes; the cuts and re-cuts.

This DVD proves Etta's a time-tested, star singer and performer. And she doesn't take a break during this performance. She delivers for 90 straight minutes! Sure she sits, but so what. You can still see and feel her rhythm; she never misses a beat as she rocks, and rocks, and rocks.

You believe Etta when she declares, "Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home". She relives her yesterday in "I Was Born To Be Wild".

And she involves her audience as they join her in song. Listen to her and watch her interact with them (and direct her band)in 'Your Real Good Thing'. Her subtle hand, head, and body motions come together as a maestro in this composition. She directs the band to "bring it on up, bring it on up a littler higher". Though she's in command, she never fails to thank and compliment the audience.

And then there's 'Rock Me Baby', followed by 'Love and Happiness', and 'Take Me To the River', which Etta smoothly transitions to 'My Funny Valentine'. What a masterpiece!

Finally, 'Sugar On The Floor' brings it all home. After more than 40 years in the bizmo, Etta is still not afraid nor ashamed to show emotion.

Great DVD!!!!!

This was purchased for a friends birthday, the review i got from them was it was pretty good, but they exspected a little more. (from her)

Being a long time Etta James fan, I leaped upon this DVD when it was first released to own an actual live concert of the legendary artist. It was not what I expected. Burnin' down the house this ain't! I found a lot of the songs offered were mediocre at best. Gone were the classic growls that this awesome lady usually delivers. Being in her 60's I guess has stifled some of her voice, I dunno, but this is bland. She sits the entire program and at the outset I thought this is gonna make me sorry I invested in this DVD. For all her ups and downs, I feel this is a poor initial gift to her many fans. This concert is a yawner!

Etta's singing was adequate. However, her attempt to make her performance "sexy" by her language & gestures did not fit. She has the voice & good background musicians, but this live performance was less impressive than her earlier years. Too much time trying to talk & gesture "sexy", detracted from her otherwise talented "soul".