Etta James - At Last

2015 repress. Etta James's debut album, originally released in 1961 on the Chess subsidiary Argo Records. The album's title-track and (All I Could Do Was Cry) co-written by future Motown founder Berry Gordy both went to number two on the R&B charts, while the album itself has gone down in history as one of the great classic albums of early R&B. Bonus tracks (My Heart Cries), (Spoonful), (It's a Crying Shame), and (If I Can't Have You) are taken from two 1960 singles featuring doo-wop idol Harvey Fuqua of The Moonglows (best known for their 1954 hit Sincerely). Pressed on 180-gram vinyl, includes CD.

Tracks B4 to B7 are bonus tracks.

Tracklist

1. A1. Anything To Say You're Mine
2. A2. My Dearest Darling
3. A3. Trust In Me
4. A4. Sunday Kind Of Love
5. A5. Tough Mary
6. A6. I Just Want To Make Love To You
7. A7. At Last
8. B1. All I Could Do Was Cry
9. B2. Stormy Weather
10. B3. Girl Of My Dreams
11. B4. My Heart Cries
12. B5. Spoonful
13. B6. It's A Crying Shame
14. B7. If I Can't Have Toy

This masterpiece remains to this day, one of the best soul/R&B albums ever. Here Etta James was comfortable and convincing, singing pop standards as she did on the magnificent title track, which was written in 1941 and originally recorded by Glenn Miller's orchestra. At Last became Etta's signature song. It reached number two on the R&B chart and number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her powerhouse contralto voice was matched with the sumptuous, bluesy string arrangements of Riley Hampton, and James truly came into her own as a singer.

2015 repress. Etta James's debut album, originally released in 1961 on the Chess subsidiary Argo Records. The album's title-track and (All I Could Do Was Cry) co-written by future Motown founder Berry Gordy both went to number two on the R&B charts, while the album itself has gone down in history as one of the great classic albums of early R&B. Bonus tracks (My Heart Cries), (Spoonful), (It's a Crying Shame), and (If I Can't Have You) are taken from two 1960 singles featuring doo-wop idol Harvey Fuqua of The Moonglows (best known for their 1954 hit Sincerely). Pressed on 180-gram vinyl, includes CD.

""At Last!"" album on 180-gram crystal clear vinyl with bonus tracks, presented as a limited edition. It was during the Sixties when Etta James truly found her musical direction and made a lasting mark as a soulful pop and blues diva. Her debut album At Last! Was released in late 1960 and was noted for it's varied choice in music from jazz standards to blues numbers to doo-wop and rhythm & blues. It ranked #119 on Rolling Stone's 2012 list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Recorded between January and October 1960 and released by Argo Records (part of Chess Records) in 1961, at Last was Etta James debut studio album. She had already made a name for herself thanks to a succession of hit singles on the R&B chart, and four of these were to be found on her debut long player. Yet as impressive as the hits undoubtedly were, what made at Last stand head and shoulders above contemporary albums was the sheer variety of material, covering most musical bases such as blues and jazz with consummate ease. There is not a faulty performance to be found on any of the tracks, just as you might expect from an already seasoned performer such as Etta James. At Last has retained it's appeal, being regularly nominated and included into listings of the Top 500 albums of all time.