CD-Charts Position 1
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The Very Best Of Etta James: The Chess Singles

by: Etta James

Release Date May 30, 2005
Etta James was with Chess for over fifteen years (appearing initially on their subsidiary labels Argo and Cadet) between 1960 and 1976, adapting and rolling with the times, trying out new ideas, never selling out, and making a heap of great blues and soul records. If squeezing fifteen years of material onto just three discs seems a tall order, imagine the absurdity of trying to compile The Best Of Etta James, which is a single CD of her Chess years. This box set represents far better value and is fully recommended, with just a couple of small caveats.

Firstly, there are too many mono mixes, even from the nineteen-seventies when stereo versions were prepared as a matter of course and are available elsewhere, and secondly, there is ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Rocks the House

by: Etta James

Release Date December 23, 1999
Etta James was with Chess for over fifteen years (appearing initially on their subsidiary labels Argo and Cadet) between 1960 and 1976, adapting and rolling with the times, trying out new ideas, never selling out, and making a heap of great blues and soul records. If squeezing fifteen years of material onto just three discs seems a tall order, imagine the absurdity of trying to compile The Best Of Etta James, which is a single CD of her Chess years. This box set represents far better value and is fully recommended, with just a couple of small caveats.

Firstly, there are too many mono mixes, even from the nineteen-seventies when stereo versions were prepared as a matter of course and are available elsewhere, and secondly, there is ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Aretha Franklin: Rare and Unreleased Recordings from the Golden Reign of the Queen of Soul

by: Aretha Franklin

Release Date March 03, 2008
Just suppose a Martian arrived at your doorstep and wanted to know about "Soul Music" - this is what you would play. Aretha was at the very height of her powers, and all this stuff - demos amd out takes for me are even more enjoyable than what was released at the time. You will hear Aretha with sparce backing and mimimal production, going places only she could - she grabs hold of a song amd makes it her own - and only Joe Cocker rivals that special talemt. It is amazing these wonderful sounds have been kept in the vaults for so long - but I am so grateful this stuff has appeared. By a mile the greatest ever Aretha collection - worth easily 10x the typical reail price. This is an essential purchase - but be warned this is the real thing - it'll ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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I'm a Loser: the Swamp Dogg Sessions and More

by: Doris Duke

Release Date February 28, 2005
This release comprises two original Doris Duke albums,'I'm a Loser',and 'A Legend In Her Own Time',plus 3 bonus tracks.The quality of the second album,is not as good as the first,although Duke thought differently,but 'I'm a Loser' is pure gold.
It does not happen often in music,when everything comes together to produce music this good,on 'I can't do without you',you can almost feel her pain,"like an addict hooked on drugs",on a 'ghost of myself',"aint nobody gonna wanna love a ghost",she really does sounds like a ghost,and on 'I dont care anymore',as the story unfolds,from pain to pain,she really does sound like she is going to breakdown at any second.
The songs,the production really should be heard by everybody.Doris Duke 'retired' from ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
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Come a Little Closer [Us Import]

by: Etta James

Release Date September 01, 2004
This album was recorded while on day release from the Tarzana Psychiatric Institute where she was sent for offences including heroin addiction. At it's best it is truly wonderful. Out On The Streets Again is a funk/R&B masterpiece that was written for this album, while 'Feeling Uneasy' was recorded on the very worst day of heroin withdrawal, so bad that she simply couldn't manage to sing any words, just moan, except for the final line 'I'm Feeling Uneasy'. Damn, but she moans so well!!! 'Let's Burn Down The Cornfield' is a Randy Newman song that took me a few listens to get to like, but it's been one of my favourite tracks of all time for the last 25 years. Quite apart from the mildly sexually suggestive lyrics, the sexual energy she puts into singing ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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Two Steps from the Blues

by: Bobby Bland

Release Date February 27, 2001
Good God almighty! If you have any affinity for any kind of music, buy this album! The effect this astonishing collection of singles had is still felt more than forty years after its initial release. The songs are simply stunning, and Bland's voice is truly phenomenal. Any singer who ever belted out a single note OWES Bobby "Blue" Bland. For those who have heard nothing but the man's latter day work with Malaco, this is nothing short of a revelation. This was one of the most amazing voices on God's green earth. He's somehow like a cross between Ray Charles, Nat King Cole, and Brook Benton, but with the strength of all three combined. Listening to this will make you realize how right B.B. King was when he said, "Me and Little Milton, we did alright, but ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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The Best Of

by: Etta James

Release Date September 25, 2000
Etta James is one of my all time favourite female singers and this album is brilliant and it just so happens it is a bargain. For those more dedicated fans I would suggest the complete chess recordings, however, you cannot go wrong by having this in your collection and for those unfamiliar with Etta James, this is a great introduction, which could get you hooked!

CD-Charts Position 8
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At Last!

by: Etta James

Release Date April 24, 2000
Etta James is one of my all time favourite female singers and this album is brilliant and it just so happens it is a bargain. For those more dedicated fans I would suggest the complete chess recordings, however, you cannot go wrong by having this in your collection and for those unfamiliar with Etta James, this is a great introduction, which could get you hooked!

CD-Charts Position 9
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Take Me to the River: a Southern Soul Story 1961-1977

by: Various Artists

Release Date September 29, 2008
Totally agree with previous review. Im not a complete soul disciple, dont trust all music that slips down like cola, much soul often feels that way for me. BUT... the tunes on this may be smooth but the depths I havent even got close exploring and it hasnt left my stereo since I bought it. Pay the price just to encourage the Kings at Ace to make the sequel please!

CD-Charts Position 10
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Her Best

by: Etta James

Release Date March 20, 1999
My mother has been a fan of Etta James for many years and has most of the songs featured on this album, on different LPs lying about the house. It's so brilliant to have them all on the one disc - it's handy. I am getting married at the end of june and we have decided to use "At Last" as our first song. Perfect start to a perfect day by a perfect singer.