Ms. Etta

On 20th January 2012, American songstress Etta James (born Jamesetta Hawkins) lost her battle with Leukemia.  She leaves behind her an eclectic musical legacy - ranging from soul, rhythm and blues, jazz and rock and roll - and was undoubtably one of the world's most emotive singers.

Etta James 25/01/38 - 20/01/12

Known by some as 'Miss Peaches: The Matriarch of R'n'B', she was said to bridge the gap between rock and roll and rhythm and blues, as her style changed over the span of her career. Winning six Grammys and seventeen Blues Music Awards, her undeniably passionate lyrics and contralto voice is what placed her in a league of her own.

I was first introduced to Etta's music by my dad.

With an enviable music collection, he's always the man to go to for a CD or two. On reaching my teenage years, dad was keen for me to listen to a variety of music; new and old. I took a particular interest in the old girl groups - Diana Ross and the Supremes, Patti LaBelle and the Bluebells - as well as the female soul singers. Billie Holiday (the most talented and tragic of them all) was the most intriguing - her blog post is already in the pipeline! - but Etta James was close second. After hearing 'I'd Rather Go Blind' from the album Tell Mama (1968), I fell in love with the vocals and her ability to pour so much pain into one song.

I listened for hours; totally tuned in to the raw emotions in each lyric. At that point I was unaware of her turbulent private life, and a drug addiction that consumed many years of her career.

'A Sunday Kind of Love', 'Anything to Say Your Mine', and 'In My Diary' are among a few of my favourite songs. The level of honesty, feeling and heartbreak in the lyrics is largely unmatched by today's music industry, and is why her music is so attractive, to so many.

"Cadillac Records" Photo by dreamsjung @ Flikr

"Cadillac Records" (2008) - starring Adrien Brody - documents Chess Records, and the time artists spent with the record label. Etta, played by Beyonce Knowles, is a character central to the film. Many of the singer's personal issues are addressed in the movie; in particular her heroin and alcohol addictions, and the rocky relationship she has with her absent white father. Knowles' character successfully portrays Etta's talent and turmoil as a soul singer in the 1940s-60s, alongside many strong performances of her classic songs, including the timeless 'At Last'.  

Relatively overlooked throughout her career, Etta James was never guilty of producing a record lacking in emotion. Influential to artists such as Janis Joplin, Diana Ross, Christina Aguilera and more recently Adele (she also features on Flo-rida's 'Good Feeling' - 2011) , her talent is one of inspiration and strength. A truly gutsy performer, she's a woman not easily forgotten.

"What a lady Etta James was. 

She was the ultimate original. 

Her voice was breath taking and her songs are reflections

 we all recognise in some way or another. 

Its an honour every time I hear her voice. 

I saw her at BB Kings in New York a few years ago,

 and it was something I will remember forever. Thank you to Etta James. 

And i send all my love to her family and friends xxxx" - Adele