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Media Type: CD
Artist: JAMES,ETTA
Title: ROCKS THE HOUSE
Street Release Date: 09/29/1992
Domestic
Genre: BLUES

Average Customer Review: ( 20 customer reviews )
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Besides the incredible singing, the other thing that makes this album a joy is the audience. The excitement is palpable. On a couple of songs, she gets a thrilling call and response going with them, and their excitement seems to feed her. You can actually hear her getting energy from the audience. The album is the next best thing to Etta James in person.

13 of 13 found the following review helpful:

Hot! Front row seats to see Etta James, 1963!May 20, 2007
By David G. Lucas
One of the greatest live club recordings in Blues, and the only one from Etta's early career. You can feel the party; folks are screaming, Etta's steaming, the whole country was still reeling from her '61 At Last! recording that will also knock your shoes off and have you rocking the house yourself. Oh, Etta sings some beautiful blues, you know, but she can rip out some heart-wrenching gutteral gospel, too; it's all here in this one-night show. Just 25 years old and in full power, Live.

The audience is up screaming and dancing from the first number and Etta immediately slides into the sexiest version of Jimmy Reed's Baby, Any Way You Want Me To Do, giving the song all new meaning. Just four years earlier Ray Charles topped the charts with What I Say, and Etta belts it out true to form with all the flavor Ray gave it, and the audience is absolutely enthralled. You are right there with them on this recording.

She puts The Beatles to shame on Money (That's What I Want), and beat them to it here, rocking out to the tune originally recorded by Motown writer Barrett Strong in 1959. The Beatles made a hit out of it in '63 only after this show. They've Etta James to thank for warming Americans up to the beat.

The house stays on their feet keeping the floor wet though a rocking bluesy Seven Day Fool and they don't get a rest till the guitarist gets to put on a show of his own with Sweet Little Angel; a B.B. King classic, sung by Etta "with a feeling" as Little Walter wrote and Paul Butterfield so famously quoted and promoted. Oh, what a feeling. The first set ends here and we break for drinks!

Encore time! Ooh Poo Pah Doo gets the fans all riled up and dancing again. You can imagine a mixed crowd of revelers, drinks and smokes set down now, see 'em Twisting in front of the band and throughout the aisles. Back to B.B. King for Woke Up This Morning in rockin' double time, and Etta finishes off her party sending everyone home sweaty and in the mood with another Jimmy Reed classic, Ain't That Lovin' You Baby.

Oh, Baby, what a night!

12 of 13 found the following review helpful:

Etta is the best!!!Nov 21, 2000

Etta James is one of the best singers ever! In this cd you hear Etta the way she's supposed to be heard. Live! Her interpretation of lyrics in each song is awe inspiring to listen to. The backing band is also full of good musicians, who have a good groove together and with Etta. There is some great guitar work in "Sweet Little Angel". I am a huge Etta fan but have played this album for many people who are not and don't even really care for the blues. But, everybody so far loves it. This album is beneficial to anyone who likes music in general, and definitely demonstrates the voice actually being used as an instrument. A must have!

9 of 10 found the following review helpful:

The toughest singer you've ever heard.Sep 07, 2001
By slomamma
This album rivals B.B. King Live At The Regal for best live blues album ever. Etta James sings so tough, so ballsy, I cannot think of another singer to compare her to. She almost makes even Wilson Pickett and James Brown sound like wimps. On a couple of songs, she does some scatting you have to hear to believe. Takes my breath away everytime.

Besides the incredible singing, the other thing that makes this album a joy is the audience. Their excitement is palpable. On a couple of songs, Etta gets a thrilling call and response going with them, and their energy seems to feed her. The album is the next best thing to Etta James in person.

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:

speechlessFeb 24, 2000
By Paul
the title says it all, ETTA ROCKS! This one sent chills up through my body. Its lowdown dirty till the sun comes up blues. If you claim to be a fan of the blues, you've got to have this. If you cant afford it, steal it. Just get it. Now! GO!

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