Discover new liner notes by Brian Morton of Penguin Guide to Jazz and Paris' prestigious jazz magazine. These notes provide an expert and inspiring perspective on the value of this product.

"The question of whether Etta James became a pop singer, a jazz singer, or a blues singer neednt detain you long. She was all of those, asAt Lastbears out, and more besides. James touched on gospel, doo-wop and rhythmnblues with equal facility. Dance With Me, Henry was a hit, but renamed The Wallflower and covered by Georgia Gibbs. Because James had a composition credit, it made her some money, but she didnt like to be bested.She made sure that the next time it would be her name on the label. " -Penguin Guide to Jazz

At Last!, her debut LP, made for the celebrated Chicago label Chess, certainly is one of her most memorable. Its impossible to not be moved by the power of her voice, beginning with the opening notes of Anything to Say Youre Mine. Every phrase, every word is attacked with an energy that commands respect. But beware, this young woman (she was only 22 at the time) could also take on the sweetest forms of a melancholy ballad, such as Stormy Weather, and manage to achieve tenderness. At Last! is one of the key soul music albums of the early 1960s. -Jazz Magazine

PERSONNEL:

• Etta James - lead vocals
• The Riley Hampton Orchestra.
• Arranged and conducted by Riley Hampton.

Recorded in Chicago, Illinois, 1960 and 1961.

• (*)Bonus tracks:
• A6-A7, B6-B7: Same personnel but add Harvey Fuqua (vocal duets with Etta James).
• Recorded at Chess Studio, Chicago, Illinois, 1960.
• Originally issued on Chess singles 1760 (A6-A7) & 1771 (B6-B7).

• A8 & B8: Etta James (vc) with the Riley Hampton Orchestra.
• Chicago, December 1961. Originally issued on the Argo singles 5424 (A8) & 5409 (B8).

TRACKS:

• SIDE A:
• A1 ANYTHING TO SAY YOURE MINE
• A2 MY DEAREST DARLING
• A3 TRUST IN ME
• A4 A SUNDAY KIND OF LOVE
• A5 TOUGH MARY
• A6 IF I CANT HAVE YOU (*)
• A7 MY HEART CRIES (*)
• A8 NEXT DOOR TO THE BLUES (*)

• SIDE B:
• B1 I JUST WANT TO MAKE LOVE TO YOU
• B2 AT LAST
• B3 ALL I COULD DO WAS CRY
• B4 STORMY WEATHER
• B5 GIRL OF MY DREAMS
• B6 SPOONFUL (*)
• B7 ITS A CRYING SHAME (*)
• B8 SOMETHINGS GOT A HOLD ON ME (*)