James, Etta

***A smash of jazz and rock, Second Time Around spawned two top 20 R&B singles but more importantly, landed Etta James on the Pop charts with three separate singles: the devastating lead-off track “Don’t Cry Baby,” the slow burn of “Fool That I Am” and the swing from the rafters/twist until you hurt of “Seven Day Fool”. The beauty of this album is in the contradiction of these two stylistic worlds: heart-on-your-sleeve ballads sitting next to all-out rockers. Like her debut, this follow-up record was produced by Phil and Leonard Chess, who added orchestral backing to create a sound that was as spectacular as the best of Frank Sinatra or Ray Charles. It’s that unique combination of James’ voice that can go from heavenly angel to devilish rasp with the same song that makes her not only a sonic icon but also one of the greatest vocal interpreters of all time. Listening to this early glimpse into Etta’s power and style, you can hear a legend in the making and why, time and time again, Etta James was not only one of the most celebrated singers of all time, but the deserved winner of three Grammys and an inductee into three separate Music Hall of Fames: (Rock and Roll, Grammy, and Blues). Now that’s a legend. So dig in! You can’t lose. Pressed on orange marble vinyl.