Recorded between January 1960 and December 1974. Includes liner notes by Lee Hildebrand.
Digitally remastered by Erick Labson (Universal Mastering Studios-West, North Hollywood, California).
This three-CD set covering Etta James's stint with Chess is a fascinating chronological journey that includes a number of previously unreleased tracks. Aided by arranger Riley Hampton's sweeping string arrangements, James's early '60s material consisted of pop and R&B hits that were a mix of contemporary originals ("All I Could Do Was Cry," "My Dearest Darling") and classic standards ("Stormy Weather," "At Last"). Even throughout this phase of sophistication, James injected her earthy sexuality into a pair of Willie Dixon-penned blues covers--"Spoonful" and "I Just Want to Make Love to You," the latter of which was revived for a millennial ad campaign.