Etta James
The Dreamer
Verve Forecast
www.umusic.com
By George W. Harris

This is the last session recorded by blues great Etta James, as her
failing health prevents her from returning to the recording studios.
Her voice is still strong and earthy here, and her selection of
material is as catholic as you can get, ranging from old chestnuts like
Little Milton’s “Let Me Down Easy” to a take of Guns N Roses’ “Welcome
to the Jungle.” James, along with Bobby Murray-Josh Sklar-Leo
Nocentelli-Terry Derovan/g, Donto James/dr, Sametto James/b, Jimmy
Z/sax, David K. Matthews/key, and Lee Thorburg/tp put the music through
a low down country, R&B and soul puree that goes deep to your marrow.
Nothing glossy or glib about a song like her take of the vintage “In
The Evening” or the country tune “Misty Blue.” James makes you feel it
like it’s being lived in front of you. An excellent farewell.