Etta James – The Matriarch of R&B

Following Beyoncé’s portrayal of James in the 2008 biopic Cadillac Records, James was caught up in a bit of controversy concerning Beyoncé’s performance of At Last at President Barack Obama’s first inaugural ball — in which the actor (I use the term “actor” very loosely) sang the originator’s song. James went on air, saying that she couldn’t stand Beyoncé and that the entertainer would “get her ass whipped.

In all honesty, I wasn’t surprised and even entertained by the notion that this queen of the blues would even say something like that on national television. Though I honestly thought she was just being facetious, the image stuck with me for a few days after I heard it. James’s son would later detract the statement as a product of the dementia that wracked James’s latter years.

In 2009, James did get to perform her classic ballad. Her final performance of the song, and indeed her career, wasn’t as memorable as Beyoncé’s for the President; however, James relished the opportunity to sing her signature in front of millions… on Dancing with the Stars.

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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