Blues to the Bone

Etta James

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 8, 2004)
• Original Release Date: June 8, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA Victor
• ASIN: B00022LJ8S
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #11,086 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Californian Etta James decided against accepting filmmaker Martin Scorcese's personal invitation to sing at The Blues gala in New York in early 2003. The well-celebrated soul and blues queen makes amends here with what is one of the most blues-centered recordings in her expansive discography, bringing her big, no-nonsense voice and her feisty, proud woman's point of view to bear on classics, many identified with Chicago. The likes of Howlin' Wolf's "Smokestack Lightnin'," Jimmy Reed's "Hush Hush," and Muddy Waters's "Got My Mojo Working" may be hackneyed choices, but she seizes each of a dozen as her own, and clearly, as she says herself, these are the blues songs that touch her the deepest. No argument here. --Frank-John Hadley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ETTA JUST KEEPS GETTIN' BETTA', June 30, 2004

By	Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

The legendary Etta James has said that she was inspired to record this album after seeing the PBS TV series "The Blues" produced by Martin Scorcese.

Referring to the series James said, "What I found was so full of what life is about: being born and dying; joy and sorrow; salvation and sin......As I started reaching deeper I realized that most of the blues of that day was done by men. Women just didn't have the nerve. So I thought it was about time to show them what these songs might sound like coming from a whole different point of view."

Surely can't comment on the differences between points of view but I can say this is one terrific album - a must-have for blues aficionados. "Honey Don't Tear My Clothes" is unbelievable, as is "Don't Start Me Talking."

Featured on the album are James's sons Donto James and Sametto James; guitarists Josh Sklair and Bobby Murray plus harmonica player John "Juke" Logan. Liner notes are by Martin Scorcese.

This one's a keeper!

- Gail Cooke

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CLASSIC!! A jewel in her crown & the best of her recent work, October 25, 2004

By	C. Heinrich "wsidechris" (Oyster Bay, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Etta has recorded a lot this past decade. She has released more new albums than anyone I can think of. And this woman is in her sixties! Some people moan about her more recent work because she doesn't have that growl that she used to have (that's why I refer to this as part of her "recent" work--there are two major styles of Etta). Anyway, Etta has done some great things this past decade. Never a weak track, but some are always better than others. But not the aptly titled "Blues To The Bone".

This album is 100% KILLER material.

Really, this is one of the best modern blues albums I have heard. She may not growl, but she does soar. Listen to her sing "The Sky Is Cryin'" on this album. She even howls on "Smokestack Lightin'"--the Wolf is smiling in his grave. She still has it, and she can do it better than anyone today.

Now all of the credit does not go to her, of course. She does have a terrific band here. Her sons are still mainstays, and they are very well produced.

This is traditional blues at its best. She could release 10 of these albums every year, and I wouldn't get bored or less interested for a second.

KEEP IT UP ETTA! We need you more than you know.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love Etta and love blues to the bone, June 15, 2004

By A Customer

This is awesome. Everytime she comes out with a cd I think that it's the best she can do and then comes a new one that is even better. I love her voice, I love her style and I love seeing this woman in concert. These songs rock and Little Red Rooster is awesome. I love her jazz stuff too, but when she does a blues cd (like this one) it blows me away. Get this cd and rock out!