This a great sampler of the early Etta James, 1960 to 1975, when she sang like a cross between Billie Holiday and Janis Joplin. One minute her voice is gentle and yearning. the next minute sheÕs stomping, growling, and roaring Ð the greatest r&b belter of all time. She has one of the most striking, goosebump-raising voices in the history of music. If all you know of Etta James is "At Last," you owe yourself this album. Not every song on here is a winner. For years no one seemed to be able to figure out what to do with Etta JamesÕ obvious talent, and they kept trying her out in different styles of music. The album is arranged in chronological order, so you hear her move from melodramatic teenage tearjerkers like "All I Could Do Was Cry," to romantic ballads ("At Last" is her most famous song, but there are a half dozen others on this album just as beautiful), to party r&b ("In The Basement"), to the Memphis Soul of "Tell Mama" and "IÕd Rather Go Blind," and finally into adventurous explorations of challenging songwriters like Randy Newman (her version of NewmanÕs "GodÕs Song" still gives me chills no matter how many times I listen to it.) The Essential Etta James is like a history of 60s and 70s soul music. Fascinating. But itÕs not just a period piece. The truth is, thereÕs no kind of music Etta James canÕt sing. She bring soul and grace to everything she touches. She makes the dumb songs fun, and the great ones masterpieces. And sheÕs STILL doing wonderful work, more than forty years after she started. But this album is where you can hear the astonishing range of her gift. This is where any newcomer should begin.

First off, let me say that if you are just getting into Etta and only know a few songs by her, this is not the way to start getting into her. It may have most of her stuff, but I think with a singer with power like Etta's, you need to take baby steps before you take a big dive into the blues of Etta James! I would recommended the MILLENIUM COLLECTION CD for a nice opening to her, then get this! Everything else is unnecessary when you have this! On 2 CD's, this has the best of her many albums, rare singles, and previously unreleased stuff. There's just so much on here that I can't describe it, you have to see for yourself after you've got a hankering for Etta!

I have over 300 blues CD and by far this is my favorites. Etta is simply the best blues woman in this century :)

I have all of Etta James music, and this has to be the best collection ever put together. Her rendition of "I'd rather go blind" is spellbinding. There isn't a bad song in this set.

In the early 60's Etta James was to R&B what Patsy Cline was to country. She could cross over and yet remain true to her roots, and that's only one part of a nearly 50 year career! From the velvety cross over soul of "At Last" to the hard driving Memphis soul of "Tell Mama", this is one legend who certainly deserves a wider audience than she has today. She ranks right up with Aretha Franklin as an influential vocalist. I took far too many years to discover her power. If you haven't given her a serious look yet, stop wasting time and begin here!