Etta James: You can leave your hat on

Talk about covers, this is a wicked take on the Randy Newman son. She’s backed by the excellent Roots Band at the House of Blues in LA in 2001. She is so bad! I can think of another instance where she took a macho male song and turned it on its ear, a woman talking sexy to a man: “Work with me Henry,” years ago, cover of the classic, “Work with me Annie,” by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters.  She’s a powerhouse.

I was listening to Etta one time when I realized that great singers (like her, Otis, Sam Cook, Aretha, Al Green, etc.) always do exactly the right thing. There are many choices to make for a singer, and the tempo, timing, inflection, ad libs, etc. are always perfect. Zing! Right in there. I heard Howlin’ Wolf earlier today and it sounded so powerful — 50 years later. I’m afraid I’m going back and back in time in my musical tastes of late. Where is the equal of Muddy Waters in this day and age?