Etta James Rocks the House (Live)

Etta James rocketed to the forefront of the Rhythm and Blues universe in 1961 with the release of the delicate “All I Could Do Was Cry” and the string laden “At Last,” an ornate but soulful re-imagining of an old chestnut made famous by Glenn Miller. Though James thrived as an interpreter of sensitive ballads, her roots in low down, roadhouse R&B were largely glossed over on her early Chess sides, making Etta Rocks the House a vital supplement to any fan’s understanding of Etta’s early career. Recorded at Nashville’s fabled New Era club in 1963, Etta Rocks the House finds James tackling Rhythm and Blues standards like “What’d I Say,” “Ooh Poo Pah Doo,” and Berry Gordy’s “Money (That’s What I Want)” with hair-raising abandon. Etta’s performance is positively incendiary. Her bluesy tobacco stained rasp completely overwhelms numbers like “Seven Day Fool” and all but overshadows the work of her stellar backing band. Etta Rocks the House provides a unique glimpse into the exhilarating, rough and tumble world of the Southern Juke Joint circuit in the early ‘60s. It is one of the most electrifying live performances ever put to tape and essential for soul fans.