Customer Reviews

Live From San Francisco

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Although this was released in 1994, it was actually recorded in March 1981. Etta and friends financed the recording but were unable to release it. Thankfully, this was pulled out of the vault. Obviously, this recording was a labor of love and it shows.

I have to admit, I was not entirely ready for the growling vocals, and even at times it sounds like Etta is gargling water! But it's apparent she's just having fun and doing it on purpose. When she launches into a devastating cover of Take It To The Limit (my favorite track), you know you're in the hands of a pro.

The backing band is tight and stripped down. One guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and a minimum of horns. The audience obviously LOVES Etta and their enthusiasm drives the performance. Etta delivers a great set of blues, soul and R&B that is guaranteed to satisfy. Signature songs Tell Mama, Sugar On The Floor, and I'd Rather Go Blind are followed by a three song Otis Redding medley. Etta wraps it up with an exquisite song titled Born Blue.

Having never seen Etta James live, I am thrilled to have in my possession her cd Live from San Francisco and I play it often. I love the live vitality that this recording displays. Until hearing Etta's version of "Take it to the limit" I wouldn't have believed that the Eagles wrote anything close to a blues song. Her version is fabulous. Etta also does wonderful versions of such classics as "I just want to make love to you", 'Baby What you Want me To Do' and "Tell Mama".

I recommend this cd for capturing the spirit of a live Etta James performance.

From the opening track, you know you have hit upon something unlike any other Etta James recording. She did this one herself and was about as comfortable as any singer has ever been. Every track belongs, there are no 'throw aways' on the entire album. The band is cookin' and the very end when the audience is chanting 'Etta - Etta - Etta' you just want to join in and scream her name too. I wish there were more like this out there. "I'd Rather Be Blind" is the best version she ever did. and "Sugar On The Floor" makes you want to cry!

Those of you who might be scared off by Etta's growl on the first song, stay on the ride. Etta does some extremely controlled singing on here too - almost as good as on "Etta James Rocks The House". One major improvement over that record is the TIGHT band backing her here. No missed chord changes, etc. The drummer is one of the best in the business, whoever he is - understated but effective. The entire band just cooks. Buy the dang record already!

my wife puts this cd on every time she turns the stereo on.. we think every song on its great..she put her talent and heart into every cut..we love it... we would love to purchase more cds like it...can you HELP us out with any sugestion...thanks etta WE WANT MORE AND MORE...YOUR BLUES FANS IN CALIFORNIA please put us on your mailing list...

This saucy live performance is a must hear and we can only be thankful that Etta's manager, Lupe DeLeon, was able to scrape up enough money to hire a sound truck to record this great gem. From the start, you can tell that this performance is on Eta's terms; she turns her soul inside out and lets loose on every song. As far as I'm concerned, this CD puts Etta James in a class of her own -- she is one of the greatest female R&B singers around. Add this one to your collection of classics!

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A FAN OF ETTA JAMES,AND HAVE ENJOYED BOTH ASPECTS OF HER CAREER: HER EARLIER DAYS AS A SWEET VOICED SINGER, AND HER LATER YEARS AS A GRAVEL VOICED FEMALE BLUES SHOUTER. ALTHOUGH SOME OF HER LATER RECORDINGS HAVE NOT BEEN AS "INSPIRED" AS THEY MIGHT HAVE BEEN, THIS ONE IS. SHE GETS DOWN AND DIRTY AND SOUNDS AS GOOD AS SHE EVER HAS ON THIS CD, AND THE REASON FOR IT IS THE LIVE VENUE SHE WAS PLAYING IN. SOMETIMES SHE EVEN CONJURES UP IMAGES OF BIG MAYBELLE OR BIG MAMA THORNTON. GREAT CD, WITH GREAT BACKUP AS WELL AS HER SINGING. IF YOU ARE A FAN OF ETTA JAMES, THIS ONE IS WORTH PICKING UP.

If you are a TRUE fan of Etta James, this is the perfect arrangement of some of her finest. My favorite is the live version of "I'd Rather Go Blind." Sister girl sang that one from the soul.

I do not know about you but every once in a while I need my Etta. No, not the material she did when starting out in popular music -essentially `bubble gum' music in accord with the teenage tastes of the times- but, the bluesy, gospelly material as presented in this cd. That said, this cd, as all cd's, which present live music, is a little uneven technically. However, the selections presented are fine especially when they allow Etta to go the full range of her voice. I recently saw Etta live in Boston. Although she has lost most of her edge she can still belt out the classics. Stick-out selections here include I'd Rather Go Blind and Born Blue- ya, those are fine, indeed.

For a woman who is wonderful live (Watch her special on Austin City Limits) This was a tepid at best performance.

For some reason they got rid of the horn section and the band just sounded weak behind her.

While its not perfect, the concert live at the House of Blues blows this one away.