Bear Family Records have released a new addition to their Rocks series, highlighting Etta James,. How well does Etta James Rocks hold up within the series?
Covering James’ recordings between 1955 and ’64, this collection is comprised of 29 tracks. The opening number, Tough Lover, is a punchy and raucous hat-tip to at least one fellow rock and roller of the day, Carl Perkins. Beginning the compilation with this track ensures we, as the audience, know that Etta James could inhabit the newly emerging rock and roll progression from blues music very effectively.
As we roam through James’ output from one year previous to eight years later, we encounter a varied musical landscape, taking in rock and roll, blues, soulful swing and more.
Etta James’ voice was an inviting melting pot of youthful exuberance, passionate innocence, fire, strength, vulnerability and sophistication. This rings true for both her songwriting and her singing. All of this is showcased mightily by Etta James Rocks. It covers her early years of recording from her late teens to early 20s, with the subject matter and styles reflecting that journey through young adulthood.
Highlights
A stand-out for me is James’ version of I Just Want to Make Love to You. The arrangement is slinky and driving, while James’ vocal is at once both coarse and soft. She uses her emotion, power and tenderness to immense effect on this recording. What an artist can do to make a cover their own can be indicative of their identity as an artist. And make it her own Etta really does.
Sound Quality
The sound quality has a fresh clarity, with sufficient warmth to complement James’ dynamic and inviting voice.
A Little Something Extra…
There are 25 pages of biographical information with copious quotes from James as well as photos, put together by Bill Dahl. The last 9 pages of the included booklet contain the detailed discography by Nico Feuerbach, with session information, author credits, recording venues and dates where available. This all adds so much welcome context to the music.
Track Listing
- Tough Lover
- Dance With Me
- If It Ain’t One Thing – Betty & Dupree
- Seven Day Fool
- W-O-M-A-N
- Next Door to the Blues
- Good Rockin’ Daddy
- I’m A Fool
- Shortnin’ Bread Rock
- By the Light of the Silvery Moon
- Spoonful – Etta and Harvey
- The Wallflower (Roll With Me Henry)
- Plum Nuts
- Something’s Got a Hold On Me
- Hickory Dickory Dock
- I Just Want to Make Love to You
- Tough Mary
- Market Place
- Good Lookin’
- ‘Baby, Baby’ Every Night
- Pushover
- What’d I Say
- Baby What You Want Me To Do
- Strange Things Happening
- Hey! Henry
- The Pick-Up
- Come What May
- Number One
- That’s All
In Conclusion
Although I am a relative novice in Etta James’ output, Etta James Rocks is a brilliant introduction to her career. It is always interesting, whether a long-time fan or a new appreciator, to hear an artist’s early work and the progression as they begin to explore ideas, genres and styles. I think this compilation would appeal to ardent fans of Etta, as it contains enough variety of material to pay tribute to the beginnings of many facets of her impressive legacy.
In some cases, a compilation featuring one artist can feel rather monotonous and become bland by the time the halfway mark is reached. However, Etta’s early career encompassed enough variation in style, sound and subject matter, to keep the audience engaged for 29 tracks. Etta James Rocks is a more than worthy addition to the Rocks series.
