[F-100]

While watching "Cadillac Records" movie last night, I was so impressed with all the songs performed by Beyoncé as Etta James. I need to add Etta James's music into my collection. Since she got tons of albums under her career, which ONE would you recommend to get? Sound quality is my most preference.

Thanks

[Bob in St. Louis]

Can't speak of the sound quality, but Etta is definitely on my random blues play list. Of what I've got of her's I haven't noticed anything that really knocks my socks off regarding sound quality. On the other hand, I don't think I've got anything that sticks out as sucking real bad either.
I do like Beyoncé, I think she's got some talent, I'm loading up some YouTube videos as we speak to hear Beyoncé do Etta. Sounds like fun.

Bob

EDIT: Oh damn....Listening to "I'd rather go Blind" on YouTube right now. 

Thanks man!!

[BradJudy]

I'm interested in this too.  I just did a quick check in the Steve Hoffman discography and didn't see any Etta James under DCC.  Searching the forums over there didn't turn up a whole lot, but I found this thread asking about definitive Etta James releases:

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=117056

It recommends "At Last", "Tell Mama" and the 2-CD compilation called "The Essential Etta James"

[rockadanny]

If i were to only get one, I'd get "Rocks the House" - a live recording. Not great sonics, but great, passionate music.
Were I to get more, the next two would be, "Her Best" - Chess 50th Anniversary - a good representation of her early work. Then, "Seven Year Itch", a later recording. I don't like her voice much once you get deep into or after the 90's.

[ebag4]

Life, love and the Blues is an album I enjoy a lot.  She does a cover of Sly's "If you want me to stay" that I love.  Producton quality is good.  Excellent album.

Best,
Ed

[PeteG]

One of my fav of her's is "JAZZ", still looking for the LP.

JAZZ

[F-100]

Using some free MP3 music coupon that I got from Amazon, I downloaded the track "At Last" from Beyoncé and Etta James just for comparison. While Beyoncé did a good job on this song, I prefer Etta James all the way. Her voice is much stronger than Beyoncé.
Thanks guys and please keep it coming. I'm leaning toward Etta Jame: Her Best - The Chess 50th Anniversary Collection.

[lonewolfny42]

The Blues Is My Business, And Business Is Good.....

A nice rocker from Etta James is...."Let's Roll"......

[The Viking Dwarf]

Life, love and the Blues is an album I enjoy a lot. 

This is the only disc of hers that we have, which is odd because we like it a lot. Very well recorded and fun to listen to. Feels like an old friend...

J.

[mitch stl]

I've got half a dozen or more Etta James albums. I think my favorite is "Mystery Lady - Songs of Billie Holiday." It is also an excellent recording.

[CSI]

Since they were having it in the LA Coliseum, the IOC hired a bunch of Hollywood music notables to produce the opening music for the 1984 Olympics. They did a good job of it. During the planning they decided they should kick things off with a rousing gospel number. Somebody said, "We need to find someone with a voice like Etta James". Somebody else said, "Er, why not just hire Etta James? She lives about three blocks from the Coliseum?"

Which is how Etta James ended up singing "The Saints Go Marching In" during the 1984 opening ceremonies.

[F-100]

Thank you all for the suggestion. I went ahead and ordered these two albums.
Etta James: Her Best - The Chess 50th Anniversary Collection
Etta James: Life, love and the Blues

I have discovered Etta James at last.   

[BradJudy]

Which is how Etta James ended up singing "The Saints Go Marching In" during the 1984 opening ceremonies.

They really opened the Olympics with a funeral march?  I guess I don't remember that opening ceremony.

[hifitommy]

matriarch of the blues, blue gardenia, burnin' down the house, let's roll, etc are a good example of an artist who matured in a positive way.  as well as the older material, the newer will be definitely worth having.

and they sound fine.  matriarch has a live harley davidson included. 

[Thump553]

I'm not a big fan of compilations, but her box set "The Chess Box" is awesome, especially in the range of material she excels at.