The Chess Box

The Chess Box Artist: Etta James
Label: Chess
Category: Music


Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Format: Box set
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 3


UPC: 008811228828
EAN: 0008811228828
ASIN: B00004TS85


Release Date: 2000-06-27

The Chess Box


Related Categories:

Classic Female Vocal Blues Classic Female Vocal Blues
Categories | Blues | Styles | Music
General General
Categories | Blues | Styles | Music
Electric Blues Guitar Electric Blues Guitar
Categories | Blues | Styles | Music
General General
Categories | R&B | Styles | Music
General General
Categories | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music
General General
Categories | Blues | Box Sets | Stores | Music
R&B & Soul R&B & Soul
Categories | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Tracks:

  1. All I Could Do Is Cry
  2. My Dearest Darling
  3. If I Can't Have You (duet with Harvey Fuqua)
  4. I Just Want To Make Love To You
  5. Anything To Say You're Mine
  6. In My Diary
  7. Spoonful (duet with Harvey Fuqua)
  8. A Sunday Kind Of Love
  9. At Last
  10. Stormy Weather
  11. Trust In Me
  12. Don't Cry Baby
  13. Fool That I Am
  14. One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)
  15. Waiting For Charlie (To Come Home)
  16. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
  17. Next Door To The Blues
  18. I Don't Want It (Previously Unreleased)
  19. Something's Got A Hold On Me
  20. Stop The Wedding
  21. These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)
  22. You Got Me Where You Want Me (Previously Unreleased)
  23. I Want To Be Loved (But Only By You)
  24. Prisoner Of Love
  25. Pushover
  26. Be Honest With Me (Previously Unreleased on Album)

Tracks:

  1. Would It Make Any Difference To You
  2. Look Who's Blue (Previously Unreleased on Album)
  3. Pay Back
  4. Two Sides (To Every Show)
  5. At Last (Live - Previously Unreleased)
  6. Baby What You Want Me To Do (Live)
  7. Lovin' You More Every Day
  8. I Wish Someone Would Care
  9. Bobby Is His Name
  10. Only Time Will Tell
  11. (I Don't Need Nobody To Tell Me) How To Treat My Man
  12. In The Basement, Part 1 (Duet with Sugar Pie DeSanto)
  13. Lover Man
  14. Do I Make Myself Clear (Duet with Sugar Pie DeSanto)
  15. I Prefer You
  16. It Must Be Your Love
  17. 842-3089 (Call My Name)
  18. I'd Rather Go Blind
  19. Tell Mama
  20. Do Right Woman, Do Right Man
  21. Security
  22. I Worship The Ground You Walk On (Previously Unreleased on Album)
  23. You Took It (Previously Unreleased)
  24. Almost Persuaded
  25. You Got It
  26. Light My Fire (Previously Unreleased)

Tracks:

  1. Slow And Easy (Previously Unreleased)
  2. Soul Of A Man (Previously Unreleased)
  3. Miss Pitiful
  4. Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers
  5. I Found A Love
  6. W.O.M.A.N.
  7. Never My Love (Previously Unreleased)
  8. I Never Meant To Love Him
  9. You Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (Previously Unreleased)
  10. Sail Away
  11. Down So Low
  12. All The Way Down
  13. God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind)
  14. Feelin' Uneasy
  15. St. Louis Blues
  16. Let's Burn Down The Cornfield
  17. Gonna Have Some Fun Tonight
  18. Sookie Sookie
  19. Out On The Street Again
  20. Lovin' Arms

Similar Items:

  1. Tell Mama: The Complete Muscle Shoals Sessions
  2. The Chess Box
  3. Otis! The Definitive Otis Redding
  4. Etta James Rocks the House
  5. Blues to the Bone

Amazon.com essential recording

You can't have too much Etta James. Really. This long-overdue collection of the singer's Chess recordings includes much of her best work. Three CDs' worth. 72 tracks. Shivers abound just thinking about it. Of course, all the songs you'd expect are here: "I Just Want to Make Love to You," "Spoonful," "Something's Got a Hold on Me," "Tell Mama," and, naturally, "At Last," among many, many others. But you don't need me to convince you why Etta James is worth hearing; what you want to know is, is this box set worth the price? Well, it's got almost everything you'd find on <I>At Last</I>, James's first studio album and widely considered her best, and it includes the same material as <I>Her Best</I>, which up to now was hands-down the best introduction to the glory that is Etta James. But say you've already got that stuff, why would you want this? Well, first of all, the packaging is stellar. A 40-page booklet comes in a handsomely presented box, which contains a wealth of pictures, quotes, and perspectives that do much to illuminate what made James's 16-year period at Chess Records so special. There are definitely a few musical chestnuts here; several previously unreleased tracks, as well as a few that were released as singles only. Notable inclusions are a previously unreleased version of "You Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" and a live version of "At Last." Whether or not it's possible to distill the work of a singer like Etta James down to three CDs, this is a very strong collection and an admirable effort to get the best of Etta all in one place. <I>--Genevieve Williams</I>

Amazon.com

You can't have too much Etta James. Really. This long-overdue collection of the singer's Chess recordings includes much of her best work. Three CDs' worth. 72 tracks. Shivers abound just thinking about it. Of course, all the songs you'd expect are here: "I Just Want to Make Love to You," "Spoonful," "Something's Got a Hold on Me," "Tell Mama," and, naturally, "At Last," among many, many others. But you don't need me to convince you why Etta James is worth hearing; what you want to know is, is this box set worth the price? Well, it's got almost everything you'd find on <I>At Last</I>, James's first studio album and widely considered her best, and it includes the same material as <I>Her Best</I>, which up to now was hands-down the best introduction to the glory that is Etta James. But say you've already got that stuff, why would you want this? Well, first of all, the packaging is stellar. A 40-page booklet comes in a handsomely presented box, which contains a wealth of pictures, quotes, and perspectives that do much to illuminate what made James's 16-year period at Chess Records so special. There are definitely a few musical chestnuts here; several previously unreleased tracks, as well as a few that were released as singles only. Notable inclusions are a previously unreleased version of "You Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" and a live version of "At Last." Whether or not it's possible to distill the work of a singer like Etta James down to three CDs, this is a very strong collection and an admirable effort to get the best of Etta all in one place. <I>--Genevieve Williams</I>

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Easily eans its 5 stars! What a woman! Grrrrrrrr!.......2004-01-09

A woman renamed Etta James hit the R&B charts at age 16, when she forged her mother's signature (who was in jail at the time) to allow her to tour and made a living performing where ever she could when soul fell from mass favor. The key to her endurance, as she is still singing, is her versatility and ability to hit home runs with great songs and work around the less than stellar songs.

On early Chess singles the ballad "My Dearest Darling" and the more raunchy "I Just Want to Make Love to You," James coos and growls like a tigress. There is the inside glance at her personal life on duets with a man she had a huge crush on, Harvey Fuqua. Though the young love was apparently unrequited, there is an intimacy inherent in their version of "If I Can't Have You," while a smoldering sexuality pervades "Spoonful." The first CD also has a song that introduced me to James a few years back. You have heard of a little tune called "At Last." I am obviously kidding about "little tune" as that song is on fire.

The second CD introduced me to a mostly unknown (at least to me) R&B singer Sugar Pie DeSanto who duets with James on the screaming party tune "In the Basement" and the sweet and soulful "Do I Make Myself Clear." These women should have recorded together more often as they make a raging fire. Ett a also tackles country with her signature approach and the result may have to get a new name. I suggest "Soultry"."I Prefer You" and "Tell Mama" are scorching.

James began covering rock songs in the late '60s, and both the successful and the not-so-great are included in the third CD of this box set. Although this is the least potent CD of the 3, it has some surprises including the fire-causing "Let's Burn Down The Cornfield," which has to be one of the sexiest songs ever.

The insert is informative as it tells you about Etta's life and has some great pictures. It nothing out of this world, so buy this for the music and although its pricey, I think that it's worth every dime and then some.

The 72 songs on this box set are placed chronologically, and it's rather astonishing how strong all these recordings are, from her terrific vocals to the songs themselves. Her producers weren't sure what to do with the big, bold voice of a woman-child, but she did her thing while they tried to figure out what to do with her. I for one I am glad that they never quite figured it out as it makes for a great victory for song interpretation.

This is a must have release and it easily earns the highest rating possible, independently that some of the songs are not as good as the singer. This set can at times give you a window to the history of rock/soul. May Etta sing until her last breath. I feel very fortunate to have discovered this woman. By the way, my "discovery" only occurred due to the good people at Amazon.com who take the time to rate everything from their favorites and those almost universally panned. This forum is great because it is truly democratic and by being able to read why people give the ratings that they do, I can learn a lot about potential purchases. Thank you guys and enjoy Etta!

5 out of 5 stars Choose your favourite disc,if you can!.......2001-06-01

One of the most satisfactory CD-Boxes I ever stumbled upon,this 3 Cd collection folows Etta James rise from her early 1960's violin-backed ballads to her glorious Memphis days and funk in 1970's.Of course,she recorded prior to "Chess" and afterwards,but these were her golden years and this carefully compiled Box shows what amazing singer she was in her prime.Those unfamiliar with her start (or with a music climate in early 1960's) would be surprised with some choices,but for me having Etta ballad/jazz/pop/country/soul/funk/philly-sound/blues songs all at one place means hours of pleasure without being bored with just one music style.What all these songs have in common is her big,powerful voice and whatever she sings,she is 100% into it - check her "St.Louis Blues" or previously unreleased (!)"You've Lost That Loving Feeling".Althought is hard to select favourite disc (and chart-wise,disc 1. was her best-selling period),last disc which follows her less commercial early 1970's period is absolute brilliant.The Box closes with breathtaking "Loving Arms" which moves me to tears,often sung country ballad that James sings while falling to pieces.

5 out of 5 stars The Chess Box captures and gives the best of Etta James.......2000-08-24

You'll be more than pleased with this 3 CD set in The Chess Box! Let the voice of Etta James capture your soul with 72 spectacular songs! Fantastic! I've gotten nothing but pure heart touching pleasure from listening to them all!

4 out of 5 stars For the Etta James Purist.......2000-08-01

The "Chess Box" Set is a three C.D. set containing Etta James' Chess recordings from 1960-74. She has always been one of my favorite female singers and to the Etta James purist (which I don't consider myself to be), this would be an invaluable addition to your collection. I found most of the songs on the C.D.s to be somewhat dated (which they are). I am more of an Etta James 1974-2000 fan so this set of C.D.s was not inline with what I was used to but it is of historical value. Many songs use strings and being a fan not familiar with Etta and strings, I was thrown a curve when I heard the Nashville sound behind her. I will always be a fan of Etta's but still prefer her last two and one-half decades rather than her Chess decade and a half.

5 out of 5 stars A MUST!.......2000-07-06

Etta James Ropes Circles Around Many of Todays So-Called Singers.SHe has Passion,Drive,Edge,Pain&Honesty in her work.this Overdue set Showcases that&More.Hearing these SOngs&Reading her book are Both Deep&Essential.SHe is a Very Unique Artist.A True Pioneer.

Music Album:

  1. Talk Show ~ Shae Jones
  2. My Vinyl Weighs a Ton ~ Peanut Butter Wolf
  3. Tears of Clown ~ Miracles
  4. 16 Most Requested Songs ~ Sam Cooke
  5. Like a Virgin ~ Madonna
  6. Is It A Crime-LORD?
  7. Twogether Soul ~ Various Artists
  8. Go Girl!: Soul Sisters Tellin' It Like It Is ~ Various Artists
  9. Your Freak Is Here ~ Bobby Jonz
  10. R&B Groove: New Jack Swing ~ Various Artists

Music Album

Music Album

Music CD

Coleccion de Oro, Vol. 10 ~ La Sonora Dinamita

Camden: Coleccion del Siglo ~ Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan

Reinventing the World ~ Andy Middleton

The Modern Jazz Orchestra ~ The Modern Jazz Orchestra featuring Kenny Drew

1944-1945 ~ Coleman Hawkins

Makin' It Again ~ John Pisano & Billy Bean

That Latin Sound ~ Edmundo Ros & Orchestra

Mambo Mococo (1949-51) ~ Tito Puente & His Orchestra

4 Decadas De Exitos ~ Renacimiento 74

Canciones Basicas de Asfalto y Topo ~ Lele Laina, Joseluis Jimenez