Etta James' final album due next week

Here's news on Etta James' new album. A longtime resident of my hometown, she has been ailing recently. I hope this album gets some attention and she will be able to enjoy it. Read more in the press release below... 

For over half a century, Etta James has all but defined the role of the quintessential rhythm & blues vocalist. She transcends all musical categories and styles with a recording career that spans more than five decades. On Oct. 25, James will release The Dreamer, her new album through Verve Forecast.

This release not only marks her first album in five years, it will be her final studio album before she retires, capping off an incredible fifty-year recording career.  James remarks, "I wish to thank all my fans who have shown me love and support over all these years.  I love you all."

The album features her one-of-a-kind renditions of Otis Redding's "Cigarettes and Coffee," Bobby "Blue" Bland's "Dreamer," Ray Charles' "In The Evening," Guns N' Roses' "Welcome To The Jungle" and more (see track listing below).

 

James has been a musical force and a major hitmaker since the 1950s, earning numerous accolades - including six Grammy Awards. In 1993, James was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 2001 she was inducted by both the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame and the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame. She also is immortalized in Hollywood with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Throughout her career, James created a remarkably deep and diverse catalog of R&B, blues, soul, pop and jazz recordings. James crossed all musical genres and styles and has been cited as a major influence by a wide range of singers from Janis Joplin to Irma Thomas to Christina Aguilera and Adele.

Etta James – The Dreamer

1. Groove Me (King Floyd)
2. Champagne and Wine (Otis Redding/Roy Johnson/Alan Walden)
3. Dreamer   (Jerry Zaremba)
4. Welcome To The Jungle (William Rose/Saul Hudson)
5. Misty Blue (Bob Montgomery)
6. Boondocks (Karen Fairchild/Wayne Kirkpatrick/Kimberly Roads/Phillip Sweet/Jimi Westbrook)
7. Cigarettes and Coffee  (Jerry Butler/Jay Walker/Eddie Thomas) no Otis as writer
8. In The Evening (Ray Charles)
9. Too Tired (Maxwell Dixon/Sam Ling/Johnny Watson)
10. That's The Chance You've Got to Take (Johnny Watson)  
11. Let Me Down Easy (James Milton Campbell Jr.)