Early Career: 1960-1969
Etta James began her career as a teenager in the 1950s, singing with a group called the Peaches and recording for Modern Records. She had her first hit in 1955 with "The Wallflower (Dance with Me, Henry)", an answer song to Hank Ballard's "Work with Me, Annie". She also had another hit in 1955 with "Good Rockin' Daddy". However, she did not achieve much success with Modern Records, and left the label in 1960.
In 1960, she signed with Chess Records, a prominent label for blues and soul music. She was paired with producer Leonard Chess, who saw her potential as a crossover artist for the pop market. He backed her songs with orchestral arrangements, giving them a more polished and sophisticated sound. Her first album for Chess was At Last!, released in November 1960. The title track became her signature song, reaching number two on the R&B chart and number 47 on the pop chart. It was a romantic ballad that showcased her vocal range and expressiveness. The album also included other hits such as "All I Could Do Was Cry", "Trust in Me", and "I Just Want to Make Love to You".
She followed up with The Second Time Around in 1961, which featured more pop-oriented songs such as "Don't Cry Baby", "Fool That I Am", and "Something's Got a Hold on Me". She also recorded some jazz standards, such as "Stormy Weather" and "One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)". She continued to record albums for Chess throughout the 1960s, experimenting with different styles and genres. Some of her notable albums from this period are Etta James (1962), which included her version of "At Last" as well as covers of songs by Ray Charles and Bobby Bland; Etta James Sings for Lovers (1962), which featured more romantic ballads; Etta James Rocks the House (1964), which captured her live performance at the New Era Club in Nashville; Queen of Soul (1965), which showcased her soulful side; Call My Name (1966), which introduced some funk elements; and Tell Mama (1968), which contained her hit single "Tell Mama", a soulful rocker that reached number 10 on the R&B chart and number 23 on the pop chart.
Middle Career: 1970-1989
In the 1970s, Etta James faced some personal and professional challenges. She struggled with drug addiction, which affected her health and career. She also had conflicts with Chess Records over her artistic direction and royalties. She recorded five albums for Chess in the early 1970s, but none of them achieved much commercial success. Some of these albums are Etta James Sings Funk (1970), which featured some psychedelic influences; Losers Weepers (1971), which included her version of "Take Out Some Insurance" by Jimmy Reed; Come a Little Closer (1974), which had some disco elements; and Etta Is Betta Than Evvah! (1978), which was her last album for Chess.
After leaving Chess Records, she signed with Warner Bros. Records in 1978. She released one album for Warner Bros., Deep in the Night (1978), which was produced by Jerry Wexler and featured some blues and rock covers. However, she did not stay long with Warner Bros., and moved to other labels such as MCA Records, Fantasy Records, Island Records, and Elektra Records. She recorded sporadically in the late 1970s and 1980s, releasing albums such as Changes (1980), which had some reggae influences; Etta, Red-Hot & Live (1982), which was a live album recorded at the Boarding House in San Francisco; Seven Year Itch (1989), which marked her comeback after a hiatus due to drug rehabilitation; and Stickin' to My Guns (1990), which featured some contemporary R&B and hip hop elements.
Late Career: 1990-2007
In the 1990s, Etta James enjoyed a resurgence of popularity and acclaim. She signed with Private Music, a label that gave her more artistic freedom and control. She released 10 albums for Private Music between 1992 and 2003, exploring various genres and styles. Some of her most acclaimed albums from this period are The Right Time (1992), which was produced by Barry Beckett and featured some soul and blues classics; Mystery Lady: Songs of Billie Holiday (1994), which was a tribute album to her idol Billie Holiday and won her a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance; Time After Time (1995), which included some pop and jazz standards; Love's Been Rough on Me (1997), which had some country influences; Life, Love & the Blues (1998), which was a return to her blues roots; Matriarch of the Blues (2000), which featured some rock and roll covers; and Let's Roll (2003), which was inspired by the events of September 11, 2001 and won her a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album.
In 2004, she signed with RCA Victor, a subsidiary of Sony Music. She released two albums for RCA Victor, Blues to the Bone (2004) and All the Way (2006). Blues to the Bone was a collection of blues covers, such as "Dust My Broom" by Elmore James and "I'd Rather Go Blind" by Billy Foster. It won her another Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album. All the Way was an album of pop standards, such as "All the Way" by Frank Sinatra and "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye. It was her last studio album before her death in 2012.
Conclusion
Etta James was a remarkable singer who left behind a rich and diverse discography. She recorded 42 albums between 1960 and 2007, covering genres such as blues, soul, jazz, rock and roll, gospel, funk, disco, reggae, R&B, hip hop, country, and pop. She had a distinctive voice that could convey raw emotion, power, and subtlety. She had many hits and awards, but also faced many challenges and hardships. She was an influential and versatile artist who inspired many other singers and musicians. She was also a legend who will always be remembered for her music.
References:
[Etta James discography - Wikipedia]
[Etta James Albums and Discography AllMusic]
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