Customer Reviews

Time After Time

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

No one can deny Etta James's legendary status as a queen of the blues, and here, in this 1995 recording, she still wails with the best. Surrounded by extraordinary musicians--especially the brilliant Cedar Walton on piano and Eddie Harris and Herman Riley on tenor sax--she turns standards into big, bold, assertive statements, capitalizing on her lower register (much lower than when she was younger). Full of passion, she proclaims her songs, as much as she sings them, using volume and her somewhat harsh voice, instead of sweetness and subtlety, to convey her messages.

"Don't Go to Strangers" is her joke. Often confused with Etta Jones, she begins the CD with Jones's most famous song, giving it her own style and interpretation. Jo Stafford would never recognize what James does with "Teach Me Tonight," an R & B treatment that features one of Eddie Harris's great sax solos. "Fool That I Am," one of her best songs, includes an unusual accompaniment, almost completely limited to the flugelhorn of Ronnie Buttacavoli and guitar of Josh Sklair, who have terrific solos, and one can hear Etta in the background offering them encouragement.

The best song on the CD is "Willow Weep for Me," a stunning song which she begins a capella and sings as if she were one of the originators of old-time blues. Here she keeps the tempo slow, letting out all her emotion in pure blues style, the accompaniment kept simple and very much in the background.

With jazz and the blues embedded deep in her soul, James is still a fine interpreter, and the musicians with whom she surrounds herself are top notch. Her voice, now very deep and dark, is still fine in the middle and upper ranges. Unfortunately, she sometimes misses notes in the lower range (particularly noticeable on "Time After Time" and "My Funny Valentine"), especially when she tries to sing the lowest notes quietly, rather than at full volume, and she often slides up and down to hit her notes. Because of this, newcomers to this lady and long-time fans might prefer to look for some of the new releases of her earlier work, such as "At Last," a remastered version of her 1960 debut. n Mary Whipple

This is my favorite album by Etta James. There are not many cd's that you can buy in which every track is great, but on this cd every track is incredible. Etta James has a very unique voice that captures you. Even my 15 year old niece likes this cd. If that's not proof enough, than I don't know what is.

I play this cd so much in the car, my daughter knows ALL the words to most of the songs and she's only five years old. Etta's rendition of "Willow Weep For Me" is "The Bomb"! I love it when she adds what I call, her little "personal punctuations" of "Yeah!", "uh-uh", or "that's right" as her band plays. Her style is earthy, soulful and unique.

I purchased "Mystery Lady" not long ago and it's getting equal play time with this cd. (Did I mention that I love it?) Etta is something special!

The darkest, sweetest chocolate, a night in your lover's arms, skinny dipping at midnight, strolling arm in arm through a French village as the cafe lights begin to come on, awakening in your lover's arms. Images like these will come to mind as you listen to Etta do her magic. I simply cannot get enough of this CD. Now I'm shopping for more more more!

Etta at her finest. I want her to do more like this. Ballads are her forte. Arrangements right on the money. Go Etta!

Never has one artist captured and conveyed so many emotions in one album. The perfect night would be shared holding the one you love, Etta James and the flicker of candles dancing about the room. It's a MUST have, even if you have never considered the Blues/Jazz before... She is spectacular!!

Etta James makes me proud to be a jazz fan! Her voice is incredible and this CD is so very, very amazing! I listen to at work and especially when I am at home on a Saturday evening thinking about my sweetie!

"Time after Time I tell myself that I'm so lucky" to be wittness to the best rendition of these classics.

CD was as described. Both the case and the CD look like new. Great price! Very pleased with purchase. A big thumbs-up!

I purchased this CD because a friend played for me recently. I had to have it for my music collection. Totally awesome! If you love the blues check this CD out.