Etta James, R.I.P.

Etta James (1938 - 2012) one of the great blues voices, and one of the most individual talents - up there with Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone - has died after battling long illnesses. What a talent. One of the early singles I bought was her "Losers Weepers" and her great "I'd Rather Go Blind" which has been covered by so many (like Chicken Shack). Then of course there was "Tell Mama", "I Just Want to Make Love To You" (which had a new life when part of a television commercial) and of course "At Last".

Etta's story is a key strand in the story of American music in the 20th century. She was singing in a group aged 14, then marketed as an R&B and doo wop singer, after being discovered by Johnny Otis the "godfather of rhythm & blues", who coincidentally died a few days before her. After signing with Chess Records in 1960, James broke through as a traditional pop-styled singer, covering jazz and pop music standards. James's voice deepened over the years, as she battled various demons, moving her musical style into the genres of soul and jazz. She went on to win 6 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Legendary producer Jerry Wexler once called her "the greatest of all modern blues singers". Her music defied category, her legend can only grow, so when next having a drink let's toast Etta James.

Joan Armatrading - still rocking

How terrific (and nostalgic too) to have seen Joan Armatrading on tour last night. The British singer/songwriter - 60 this year and as reclusive as ever - has a new album and tour and it was just as good as seeing her back in the 70s or 80s. A more mature figure now but with her guitars (and that infectious grin) plus a tight 3 piece band and her glorious voice - that mixture of fire and ice - it seemed an effortless 2 hour show packing in new songs and those favourites like "Love and Affection", "Willow", "Show Some Emotion", "Tall in the Saddle" etc. My partner who did not know her absolutely loved it and is now downloading and copying those cds to ipod. The venue was packed with a mixed audience who certainly had a good time too.

It is so good to see an artist with longevity - like Joni Mitchell or Annie Lennox - still out there and doing it. I absolutely loved Joan's 1976 album when I first heard it with those songs like "Down to Zero" and "Join The Boys" and her following ones were just as good - and we saw 2 great concerts of hers over the years, as well as last night's. Pity though she does not feature material from her earlier 1975 album (its not even available now to buy or download - and I lost my vinyl version) "Back To The Night" with that great title track, "Stepping Out", "Travelled So Far", "Cool Blue" etc.

It makes one think how many of today's young artists (who have to sell themselves via those raunchy videos) write their own material or will still be packing them in in 35 years time like Joan Armatrading! Today's music biz is just not geared to promoting artists for the long haul but drops these kids after a few hits... its just the privileged few like Beyonce and of course Madonna and Grace Jones who can control every aspect of their brand. Joan is certainly in that group and on her terms (and without having to sell her personal life) and can still tour (she is all over Europe next) without having to top the charts, but still sell well regularly. The dvd on her 'Into The Blues' is a terrific recent concert of hers from San Francisco - how terrific that whether its San Francisco or Croydon one can still get a great response from a packed house.