Customer Reviews

Seven Year Itch

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Rx for the blahs. #1) You've gotta hear this, #2)You've gotta have it in your CD collection, NOW, and #3)Wear it out by repeat playing. (Note: Feel free to buy a couple of copies--I have since it was released in the late 80's). Almost everyone I know loves this album once they hear Etta roar and finesse through classic blues tunes like "Breaking Up Somebody's Home" and the excellent "I'm-in-control-don't-need-anybody-else" song "Damn Your Eyes". There's no one else out there quite like Ms. James. It is, indeed, a joy to hear her, especially, live. This CD and "Life, Love and the Blues" are two of her best releases in recent years and I can hardly wait for her next release...it's like I'm having a 7-year itch!

I am a blues vocalist so I know a good blues vocalist when I hear one. In addition, I am a fan of Etta James and have all of her material. To call her a good blues vocalist is an understatement and it is incorrect. She is much more than just a good blues vocalist - she is a good vocalist no matter what genre she tackles, blues, R&B, jazz, country (yes, she has done country), or rock. In my opinion, without a doubt, this CD is her masterpiece. It combines an excellent vocalist (at the prime of her vocal capabilities) with excellent material. Add to that winning combination is a back-up band that provides exactly the right sound. I have listened to it HUNDREDS of times and, the more I listen to the CD, the more I like it. My favorite cuts are "Damn Your Eyes" and "The Jealous Kind" but there is not a cut on the CD that I do not like.

In addition to this CD, I would highly recommend her CD, Love's Been Rough On Me. Of all of her work, Seven Year Itch and Love's Been Rough on Me are my first and second favorite CDs, respectively.

Everytime I hear the powerfully melancholy voice of Etta James, it sends chills down my spine. A true legend, she is an absolute must-see live. If you think her coutenance is powerful when recorded, you should treat yourself to an expreience of a lifetime by catching her ever-more difficult to find, live show. You'll be hooked. She radiates of power, passion and pure soul. Whenever I try to spread the music of Etta James to a new blues fan, I always break out this CD first.

This CD put Ettas James back on the map after a long hiatus. I really, really can't rave enough about this CD. She kind of "sold out" here --- it's a rock 'n roll Cd and she is primarily an old-time R&B artist --- but really it just goes to show how versatile this woman is. This is a "crossover" album. If you like rock 'n roll then this is the Etta James CD for you. But she can do ANYTHING. Blues, girl group stuff, cabaret singer jazz, even COUNTRY, for chrissakes. If you have pop tastes then this is a good place to start. Later you might want to look into some of her other stuff.

Etta James sings, quite simply, the way these songs should be sung. She delivers the precise amount of emotion and emphasis to each note and pause. It's what sets her apart.

Etta James / Seven Year Itch: This is a Masterpiece album from a lady who knows how to sing em. This album tells it straight and leaves no prisoners, no hesitation, no apologies. This is a great Five Star album.

Etta James has made so many classic LP's since the late 50's and "Seven Year Itch" finds the soulful Diva once again in peak form, letting it rip giving ten thrilling & tremendous performances! Opening strong with an Otis Redding gem "I Got The Will (But I Can't Find My Way)", it is shocking this was not a huge hit as it has "hit sound" all the way through and for shame to the Grammy Foundation overlooking this classic that has a timeless and joyful sound...filled with incredibly great performances, music lovers don't let this one pass you buy...a keeper!!!
Bravo Etta and keep on rocking!

This is a Tough Etta Record , the band is hot and features many R&B greats. The production may leave some people [pretty picky people] a little cold as it has that 80's kind of sound , mainly due to the use of a fairlight computer always well masked mind you and also because it was made in the 80's.! It contains most of my favorite Etta James moments, and is a damm classic that shouldn't be missed.

The Amazon Editorial Review for Seven Year Itch by Ted Drozdowski refers to songs that do not appear to be included on the CD--they are not listed in the samples, which I always presume is the list of music on a CD. Since the editorial review does not mention the CD by name, I wonder if the review is for this album, or for another one. Can anyone confirm the list of songs on the CD? I rated 5 stars because I love Etta and Amazon will not allow me to post this with out a rating, but I have not listened to this album.

When this lp was released, I bought it on cassette and played it until it broke! Ms. James' cover of Otis Redding's "I've Got the Will" became an instant classic-- she performed it on the TODAY program when it was released-- and it is one of those songs you will want to crank up at a long red light. R.I.P. Etta James.