Etta James, the vocal great had been ill for quite some time and recently lost her battle with leukemia. Trooper that she is though, James recorded this one last album for her fans and it is a fine one.
The album begins with a rollicking version of King Floyd's "Groove Me" before moving into Otis Redding's celebration of good lovin', "Champagne & Wine." Somewhat amusingly, later in the album James again covers Redding, this time with the post- seduction "Cigarettes & Coffee."
There is no aural indication that James is sick or lacking in strength; she sounds as good covering a delicate chestnut like "Misty Blue" as she does on the southern funk/gospel of album standout track "Boondocks."
The Dreamer's most surprising track is a reimagining of Guns N'Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle" as an R&B number where her sassy vocals convey just as much danger as Axl Rose's did on the original.
James has such a large body of work that longtime fans may point to one of her vintage titles as being her best but The Dreamer is a very suitable entry point for the uninitiated. Now is the perfect time for fans of acts like Amy Winehouse to come home to the treasure that is Etta James.
RIP: Etta James - The Dreamer
Rating:
Share this article
More articles for this artist .
The Magic of Eswatini's Umhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony
Brian Setzer - The Devil Always Collects
Classics: Dio's Holy Diver (40 years)
Quick Flicks: Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius - Behind the Curtain: Live at ProgStock
Caught In The Act: Greta Van Fleet Rock Rosemont
Rival Sons Unleash New Single 'Mercy'
Kane Brown Channels Phil Collins With 'I Can Feel It'
Bad Company's Paul Rodgers Streams First New Solo Album In 25 Years
August Burns Red Announce 4th Annual Christmas Burns Red Festival
Neil Young's Harvest Moon Released On Limited Edition Clear Vinyl
Foghat Deliver New Song 'She's a Little Bit of Everything'
Robin Trower and Sari Schorr Release 'I'll Be Moving On' Lyric Video
Singled Out: Chasing Airplanes' Constellations