The name Jamesetta Hawkins probably wouldn't strike a chord of recognition in the mind of too many folks these days. However, she has since become known as Etta James, and has the distinction of being one of the greatest female soul vocalists to ever stand behind a microphone. In fact, at this point, she can quite possibly stake a claim as the reigning Queen of the Blues.

Her honors include six Grammy nominations, a W.C. Handy award as Blues Female Vocalist of the Year (1994), and an induction to the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. With her latest album, "Life, Love, and the Blues," she demonstrates the soul, style, and talent that enabled her to achieve not only this recognition, but also capture the acclaim of fans worldwide.

She begins this album with a smoldering cover of the Willie Dixon classic, "Born Under a Bad Sign." This song has been recorded countless times by numerous artists, and yet, she is able, at least for now, to make it her own. She follows this with the mellow, soulful "I Want To Ta Ta You, Baby," which, in addition to Etta's smoky vocals, features impressive, if restrained, bluesy licks by guitarist Bobby Murray.

One of the more fun, upbeat songs on the album is the next track, "Here I
Am (Come and Take Me)." This is a good old funky blues track, featuring playful horns and organ accompaniment, that is perfect for turning up all the way and knocking a few beers back to. Lyrically, blues songs don't get much better than the song that follows, "Running Out Of Lies." This song finds Etta at her soulful best as she explains to one lover that she's tired of hiding him from her other lover.

She then delivers an absolutely stunning version of Marvin Gaye's "Inner
City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)." It is impressive, because she manages to make the vocals powerful without seeming over-the-top. She manages to capture the anger and spirit of protest that was inherent in the song, while leaving it accessible to the listener. Track selection is a big part of this album. She is determined to make this a traditional blues album, and her cover of Howlin Wolf's classic "Spoonful," illustrates this as much as anything. She has a
very competent backing band, and they enjoy a loose and easy jam as she gets her vocals as raw and dirty as the original.

The title track, "Life, Love, and the Blues," follows. This track was co-
written by Etta herself, and is a simple, part spoken-word tune, reminiscent of blues standards where the only instrumentation was a guitar and a simple drumline to keep the rhythm. Willie Dixon gets another nod with the low-down rocker, "Hoochie Coochie Gal." This song features Etta's most gritty vocals of the album, and also features impressive piano and harmonica work.

The theme of infidelity is once again explored in the funky "Cheating In
the Next Room," while her torchy vocals on the bluesy ballad "If You Want Me To Stay" convey the listener to a candlelit table in a smokey speakeasy. The saxophone work is smooth and groovy, dribbling down on the listener's ear like molasses.

Laid-back blues don't get any better than on the track "The Love You Save Might Be Your Own." The vocals have almost a gospel feel to them, and she delivers them with the spirit of someone that has lived through it all, and the confidence of someone that has not just endured but overcome. The album closes with a version of Brook Benton's heartfelt "I'll Take Care Of You." This is a lazy, swinging blues song that Etta delivers with grace and style, and leaves the listener disappointed when it's over, but glad that they can start the album again.

All in all, Etta delivers a solid performance throughout. Track selection
plays a big part in the success of the album. As I said at the outset, she set out to make a grass-roots blues album, and has succeeded in doing just that. She has not only created an album that is listenable, but one that is enjoyable throughout, and one that I will listen to many times over.