I saw Etta James perform live in a small nightclub in Madison, Wisconsin in 1976. She was fabulous!
Etta James and The Roots Band Burnin’ Down the House is a 2001 performance. Etta James was near the end of her career.
In front of an enthusiastic audience, Etta James sings 15 songs in her trade-mark style. Check out the Track List and note that the songs in Etta James’ set covers blues, soul, rhythm and blues, jazz, funk, and even some rock & roll. Etta James is seated throughout the concert. When I saw Dionne Warwick in concert a decade ago, she sat during her concert, too.
Etta James is backed by The Roots Band, a group of talented musicians that includes two of Etta’s sons. The sound on this DVD rocks my speakers!
If you’re looking for an enjoyable concert DVD, I recommend Etta James and The Roots Band Burnin’ Down the House. GRADE: A
TRACK LIST:
| 1. | “Introduction” | 0:50 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2. | “Come to Mama“ | Willie Mitchell, Earl Randle | 5:13 |
| 3. | “I Just Want To Make Love To You” / “Born to Be Wild“ | Willie Dixon / Mars Bonfire | 5:22 |
| 4. | “I’d Rather Go Blind“ | Billy Foster, Ellington Jordan | 6:21 |
| 5. | “All The Way Down” | Catherine Williamson, Gabe Mekler, Trevor Lawrence | 6:30 |
| 6. | “At Last“ | Mack Gordon, Harry Warren | 4:44 |
| 7. | “Leave Your Hat On“ | Randy Newman | 5:33 |
| 8. | “Something’s Got a Hold on Me“ | Etta James, Leroy Kirkland, Pearl Woods | 5:10 |
| 9. | “Your Good Thing Is About To End“ | Isaac Hayes, David Porter | 7:40 |
| 10. | “Rock Me Baby“ | 4:28 | |
| 11. | “Love and Happiness / “Take Me to the River” / “My Funny Valentine“ | Al Green, Mabon “Teenie” Hodges / Al Green, Mabon “Teenie” Hodges / Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart | 9:57 |
| 12. | “Sugar on the Floor“ | Kiki Dee | 11:04 |
| Total length: | 72:52 |
Great singer. Don’t know this DVD. Lot of familiar songs. I’d Rather Go Blind was covered well by Rod Stewart. Come To Mama by Janis Joplin. Leave Your Hat On by Joe Cocker . The latter seems an odd choice as does Born To Be wild.
Saw Solomon Burke and he was brought out in a wheelchair and placed on a throne to sing. Phil Collins now touring with Genesis is sitting down because of health issues. And of course Robert Fripp of King Crimson has always sat down to play.
Steve, despite the song choices, I enjoyed this DVD. You would, too.
Like many great singers, Etta had her troubles—both self-inflicted (drug addiction) and from the outside (bad management, bad contracts)—but through it all, she kept singing. This is an interesting collection of songs (“Born to Be Wild”?), but based on the title, I thought she sang a version of the Talking Heads’ “Burning Down the House” on this album—now that would have been a weird choice!
Deb, the song choices are odd, but the performance is exemplary. When I saw ETTA JAMES live in 1976, her performance was electric. This 2001 concert is energetic, but 25 years of touring took its toll on Etta James.
Nothing better than Etta singing “At Last.”
Patti, “At Last” is Obama’s favorite song.
Very interesting sounding CD. The last perrson we saw sit through his concert was then-82 year old B> B. King in 2007. He was still great. His “opening act” was Al Green. Pretty cool show.
Jeff, yes, B.B King and Al Green sounds like a great show.
Last saw B.B. King about 10 years ago. His opening act was Jeff Beck. Great show. Beck came out and played with him.
Steve, that must have been wonderful show! Beck and B.B…great guitarists!
A favorite single song? Well, at least since the Glenn Miller Orchestra recording, it’s certainly been a standard.
I suddenly have the image of BO at the record booths we both sampled the new jazz releases, in Ala Moana Mall in 1979, picking up one disc or another with “At Last” on it…
Todd, “At Last” has been covered over a hundred times.
Wonderful!
I didn’t know that I’d rather go blind and you can leave your hat on were originally performed by her – two of my favourite songs.
Such a pity that she used drugs so much like many great musicians.
Two of my favourite musicians performed I’d rather go blind with great success – singer Bet Hart together with guitarist Joe Bonamassa.
Re sitting:
We saw Johnny Winter performing in a small club in my hometown Tübingen – two strong guys brought him in already sitting on a chair …
And then he performed Highway 61 revisited – the audience went crazy!
A few months later he was dead …
Wolf, that’s a sad story about Johnny Winter. Another great musical who died too soon.