While several best-ofs from
Etta James' Chess period have been available over the years -- with the two-disc, 44-track
Essential Etta James at the top of the list in giving the big picture -- this 20-track collection sweats that bigger picture down to bare essentials. For those wishing to finally sample
Etta's classic period at Chess without opening the wallet for box set expense, this single-disc retrospective will fill the bill quite nicely. Featuring 20 of the tracks that appear on the double-disc
Essential anthology without anything literally essential left off, this scintillating little disc now officially becomes the one-stop, first-time purchase in connecting with the emotional greatness inherent in
Etta's siren song. There's plenty more after this to discover, but this is absolutely where you start. ~ Cub Koda