Etta James – The Matriarch of R&B

James continued recording for Chess Records even after founder Leonard Chess’s death in 1969, at which point she continued to experiment with her sound, venturing into funk and rock with her 1974 self-titled album. That same year, she was invited to be the opening act for the Rolling Stones — a band known to lionize their R&B idols.

Between 1978 and 1987, James, again, fell silent. It wasn’t until her appearance in Chuck Berry’s 1987 documentary Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ Roll that she started becoming active once again, signing to Island Records in 1989 and with Elektra Records in 1992.

James continued to make music and special appearances, with many of her greatest achievements coming at the tail end of her career. In 1993, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She followed her induction with another testament to the respect she’s garnered in the industry. In 1994, she recorded a tribute album to another matron of the blues, Billie Holiday. The album, entitled Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday, earned James her first Grammy award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance.

Cy

As unexpected as my path was to loving all things weird, more unexpected is my ability to get attention for writing about the stuff.

10 Responses

  1. stefanie says:

    Wow. That’s quite an write-up!

  2. Julyssa says:

    Wow, this is an amazing article! I’m overwhelmed as well as a bit sad about James. She is one of those women that will forever be an icon of music.

    • Camiele says:

      @Julyssa, Indeed. She was one of those mythical voices and artists that’s very rare. Completely balls to the wall, but then as elegant as an empress. I really loved her… just everything about her.

      Thanks. I’m glad that there are younger people who know this woman. She’s just outstanding!

  3. amy says:

    I thought I would share Christina Aguilera’s rendition of At Last from Etta James’ funeral.

    • Camiele says:

      @amy, Christina could ALWAYS sing this song! I mean GOT DAMN!!!! I love this girl with all my soul. And THAT’S how you represent Etta!

      • amy says:

        @Camiele, I’ve always preferred Aguilera to Beyonce, but I seem to be in the vast minority. Even in things such as bad movies, which both have LOL. Coincidentally, I was watching the Beyonce clip you added when that Aguilera clip popped up in the YT stream. xD

        • Camiele says:

          @amy, Well, there ya go. Burlesque was just a not great movie. However, Beyonce’s just a not great “actor” who ends up in great movies. I don’t know how that works out… but anyway.

          Yes, I’ve always preferred Christina over Beyonce in pretty much everything, so I completely feel you on that.

        • amy says:

          @Camiele, I didn’t think Burlesque was all that bad – cheesy, but had enjoyable elements – anyway, back to Etta. My god, she does good rock and roll.

          I wonder if Aguilera can do rock and roll, she would become my dad’s favorite if she does…

  4. Camiele says:

    @amy, You know, I don’t know if Christina has the vocal variety to do it. I mean, obviosuly I love her voice. But her voice is pretty one-note, considering how big it is. I put her in the same boat of a lot of newer incredible singers — Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia (sometimes). They have a voice for a particualr sound. What made someone like Etta great was that her voice was able to mould easily into different genres. Separating the good from the phenomenal.

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