Customer Reviews

Love Songs

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Etta James' big, brassy and bold voice sings some great love songs in this bluesy, R & B collection, starting with her 1961 hit of the Warren/Gordon "At Last", which is one of the standouts. Others include another hit from 1961, "Trust in Me", and an earthy, scrumptious duet with Harvey Fuqua (lead and founder of the Moonglows), "If I Can't Have You". I also like her take on the Gershwin brothers' "Someone to Watch Over Me", with Ira's terrific lyrics; I always appreciate his split phrases, like "Although he may not be the man some / girls think of as handsome"

With the exception of "Lovin' Arms" which was recorded in 1974, and the cover of The Association's "Never My Love" (1973), these recordings are from the '60s, but Etta is a classic singer, and never sounds dated. Digitally remastered, they did a good job of the audio quality, with crisp highs and nice depth. there are no liner notes in the foldout insert which only includes a song list, and the total time is 45'48.
Fondly known as Miss Peaches, one wonders if Etta's huge voice, with it's powerful, slightly abrasive top notes, would have become more famous had she not been shadowed and hindered by personal problems; Etta is a major song stylist, appealing to listeners of jazz, R & B, soul, and blues, and this is a fine compilation for fans of this splendid artist.

Etta is pure, raw, vocal sensuality ! All my years of collecting various recordings by artists of various genres did I imagine I would every buy an Etta cd. Why ? Probably because I had been living under a rock. This woman is incredible to say the least. She is in that same category with the real divas of blues, jazz, soul, and yes, even some pop like Aretha Franklin,Peggy Lee, Nina Simone, Patti Austin. This collection hihglights her more popular bluesy jazz-like ballads of the 60's without ever turning into calculated elevator mush muzak. She makes a ballad sound sultry and sexy without making it become a melodramatic fluff piece;Songs like the classic At Last and A Sunday Kind Of Love prove this. Buyers should not be put off by the Love Songs title (there is absolutely no slowed down mush here). There is so much strength, energy, and vitality to her songstress approach. Etta James is the last century's and this one's most easily accessible and awe-inspiring female vocalists without a doubt. While I am not a die hard James fan since I just recently discovered this gem I can understand why she would be or is an inspiration to so many musical artists. After hearing this collection I am a fan now. Most definitely I will be pursuing her other recordings in the very near future !...Love Songs is an amazing start for my Etta James collection !

Buy it. Don't even hesitate. Every song is great,
the best. "At Last" gave me chills in 1958 as a young
teenager falling in love for the first time. Now, over
40 years later, I'm still getting chills every time I
listen to it. "How Do You Speak To An Angel" and "Again"
are two more that I have discovered and move me beyond
words. I love this CD!

I have been a fan of miss james for a long time since as far as i can rememeber........
This woman's voice is incredible...her barritone is so sultry and sexy...the way she sings is like velvet it's so smooth and sexy...
Miss james signature song is one of the greatest love songs of all time" AT LAST" beautiful love song...
this album is a collection of love songs that miss james has recording hense the albums name Love songs...
this is a stunning collection...
This is a must for any Etta james fan..

Wow. What musical range, what powerful vocals. Some of these cuts are almost FIFTY years old (the newest is 30 years old), and the arrangements may date the sound, but that voice... Etta brings it.

I've finally found an album that sings to me what I've been missing all these years. Janice Joplin came close, but she is no longer here. Thank goodness for Etta and her wonderful voice! This collection has it all! It moves, shakes, rattles and rolls!

Etta James is one of the Greatest Vocalists Ever!this set highlights that&more.She has so much spirit&vibe.this is a solid collection of Her many Great songs.i have listen to Her for so long.Her Vocals have so much Depth&Feeling.this is a must.

Guys, you're not still playing Sinatra to get your dates in the 'mood' are you? Etta is the way to go; a liberated woman with the most soul in the world. I used to be more of an Aretha fan, but Etta,(while among the best shouters when appropriate), never overwhelms the music with the power-moves Aretha is prone to.

I just saw Ms Etta James live last night and was able to buy an autographed copy of her love songs CD. Her CD is awesome and I'll be using songs from it for my wedding reception next year. Let me tell you that age has not hurt her voice nor her ability to touch your heart. After seeing her live I know why she has been called "Queen of the Blues". This CD is a bargain for the joy it will bring you!

IF ARETHA FRANKLIN IS THE QUEEN OF SOUL,THEN ETTA JAMES IS THE ULTIMATE QUEEN OF RTHYM AND BLUES!SHE WAS BEFORE ARETHA AND BEFORE JOPLIN.DON'T LET THIS "LOVE SONGS" TITLE FOOL YOU. IT'S SOULFUL RTHYM AND BLUES AT ITS VERY BEST!SHE WAS DINAH WASHINGTON GONE R&B! TODAY'S DIVAS AINT GOT NOTHIN OVER ETTA JAMES WHEN IT COMES TO HER VOICE. YOU CAN DANCE TO HER MUSIC OR KICK BACK AND RELAX. SHE'S THE 50'S AT THEIR BEST!SHE'S THERE WITH THE CLASSIC R&B STARS JACKIE WILSON, JAMES BROWN ETC. SHE PAVED THE WAY FOR ARETHA, JANIS JOPLIN AND TIMI YURO.SHE WAS THEIR INSPIRATION.BUY THIS C.D. AND YOU'LL LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT WHERE IT ALL CAME FROM!SRONGLY RECOMMENDED!!!