Etta James - Stormy Weather

There are so many sides to Etta's vocal ability! Here is a Blues/Jazz side with a standard that has been done by artists like Viola Wills, Mary Wilson and Nancy Wilson, all different styles.

Imagine - Etta James

Etta James was one of the most influential singers born in the 20th century. Her range spanned Gospel, Pop. Blues, Jazz and Rock and Roll. She had a difficult start in life, born to a 14 year old mother who abandonned her to be brought up by an abusive couple. Her father would wake her up when he came home drunk and force her to sing for his friends. leaving her with some difficulty in later life when called on to sing. At the age of 5 she had an abusive music teacher who wou… See more

Why? (The King Of Love Is Dead) (Unedited version from original live con...

February is Black History Month in America. Here's one of the greatest proponents of equal rights singing a great song about Martin Luther King, the King of Love.

Bettye LaVette "Blackbird" song by John Lennon/Paul McCartney (Nashville...

Bettye LaVette is not a singer to go to for some smooth soothing background music in a restaurant. She is someone you need to give your full attention to. So it is always great to get a live and close up clip like this one of Blackbird by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

BARBARA LEWIS-stand by me

Another number by a young Barbra Lewis with iconic label Atlantic Which did so much to show that it was OK for white kids to listen to black music , as said by Phil Collins when he hosted Atlantic's 40th anniversary celebration. An RnB/Soul classic from an age when music was so much more innocent than it has become today.

Barbara Lewis -- Hello Stranger

Another early Hit from Barbara. Penned by herself before she was old enough to vote, as someone says below! Beautifully clear voice with minimum backing on the Hammond organ so popular back then. No shouting or overstatement.

Barbara Lewis -- Baby, Im Yours

Perhaps her biggest hit, Barbara Lewis at 18 years of age in 1961 with her own composition. Born in 1943 she gained popularity in the Detroit area and then went on to record in New York City with producers Bert Berns and Jerry Wexler .. This resulted in her most successful work. A follow up at STAX did not achieve the same commercial success but nevertheless was critically acclaimed as being "grittier"! She withdrew from music as a performer but her songs continued to be cove… See more

Thankful for What I've Got

Barbara Lewis with something from one of Atlantic's famous Complete Singles series. ( I have several of those of a number of Atlantic's best Soul stars. All very good compilations. Jerry Wexler a partner at Atlantic's motto was " Always answer your phone. You never know when it might be a hit calling"!)

Jessica Williams (They Call Me) Queen of Fools (84 Remix)

Jessica Williams - Gamblin' on your love

Hurt so Good