Review of Etta James : Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday
The real mystery is why it took so long for Etta James to win a Grammy. But this great American vocalist claimed her first statue by paying tribute to another grand singer. James's versions of Billie Holiday-identified tunes like "Don't Explain," "You've Changed," "Lover Man," and "The Man I Love" are the best readings of Lady Day's signatures in a generation. Pianist Cedar Walton leads the seven-piece band in spare and graceful arrangements faithful to the mainstream jazz sound of the '40s and '50s, which gives James ample room to exercise her soaring range and deliver a dazzling, seductive, and warm tour de force. --Ted Drozdowski

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Your latest reviews - Etta James : ****1/2 actually
This 1963 live album finds Etta James at 25, catering to the crowd at the New Era Club in Nashville, Tennessee. And she is great vocal shape, backed by a tough R&B combo which features saxist Gavrell Cooper and his brother Vonzell on keyboards, and a great David T. Walker on guitar.

Some listeners might find James' vocal improvisations a little bit annoying at times, and a couple of songs are on the sloppy side. But most of this album is just plain great, from the opener "Something's Got A Hold On Me" to the three bonus tracks which include a driving "I Just Want To Make Love To You".
Gavrell Cooper and the tough, supple rhythm section drive along the wonderful soul stompers "Woke Up This Morning" and "Seven Day Fool", and James shows her versatility on a lovely rendition of the almost-too-cute "All I Could Do Was Cry". And Etta James have the crowd in the palm of her hand on Jessie Hill's "Ooh Poo Pah Doo".

Fans of Etta James probably own this album already. It is one of the highlights of her career, and if you don't have it already, get it right away. This is why record companies bother to release live albums.