Where Have The Blues Gone?

[chickinstompin]

lost for words

[practicalmagic9]

i am saddened...thank you for the post, mudbrooker.between power outages and home duties i missed the announcement.

[OccamsView]

Now that's some REAL singing! almost forgot what it sounded like. Thank you.

[TheBoyFromNorfolk]

By jove, what a voice.

[DeeDemonwitch]

@TheBoyFromNorfolk Indeed. Now I know why I've been feeling blue for the last few days :(

[smrne]

I agree with you. I was so lucky to see and listen to her sing live at Chastain in Atlanta in 1996. What a voice, mood, and feeling! RIP Etta.

[XDukemoothieX]

Oh that voice!

[SuperSoylent2]

Thumbed up - now shut up and let me listen.

[SkepticalTraveler]

Hearing of her death wasn't that sad for me. The sadness came when she got too sick to perform, and too far gone mentally to know where she was. She has been in such bad shape for so long that the end just makes me think "It's about time. What took so long?"

[debbieomi]

I've been listening to her all afternoon. Lots of great links from folks on Facebook. I didn't have to go looking for them at all. Hadn't heard this one though so thanks for this.

RIP Ms. James

[KrisBlueNZ]

Sad news indeed.

To me, Etta James was the antidote to the many modern female vocalists who suffer from monotonophobia - an irrational fear of singing a straight note. They seem to think that singing an ornate arpeggio on every note, preferably including lots of ridiculous high notes, on every syllable, makes them cool.

Etta James had the power, clarity, and control to grab my emotions and give me goosebumps and make me want to cry, with just one line. I doubt we'll see that again.

[practicalmagic9]

@KrisBlueNZ thank you for expressing my frustrations with modern singers!mostly women, but i have grown sick of certain country mens groups with tenors who INSIST on bouncing off the same 3 notes at the end of every phrase *usually on a note that is grating to the senses.other pet peeve: can someone find girls who aren't breathy messes?who know how to sing a phrase without gasping in the mic half way through?who might be able to fill a hall without amplification?

[EuphoricImpact]

I had no idea she had died. She will be missed.  Love that woman's music!!

[rollofnickles]

That's a song a president should be singing. She will be remembered.

Thanks MB, for a beautiful tribute.

[tattooskin72]

One of my favorites of all time. My dad and I had a long discussion about her yesterday actually. We heard an awful remake of At Last and talked about how no one could do it like Etta :(

[AmericanAthelst]

Another sad loss from an era of great American music.

Rest in Peace Etta and Johnny Otis too.

[TheEvilOfScientology]

Another legend gone. Not many left. :(

[wideosvatcher]

One of the few artists i regret not seeing live.

[ozmoroid]

Goodbye Etta. Soulful, bluesy and sophisticated, all in one package.

[mystereed72]

I wasn't that sure who Etta James was 'till now, but to steal an Americanism I'm missing her already.

[mcrd2001]

By Etta, thanks for having been on the planet.

[BianchiRoadshow]

A black friend of mine turned me on to Etta James in 1996, She is amazing! So sad to hear of her passing. D

[Gliese581f]

We’ve lost a lot of great blues artist recently, quite a few last year; David “Honeyboy” Edwards, Gary Moore, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Hubert Sumlin, Pinetop Perkins, George “Mojo” Buford, Coco Robicheaux and a few others that escape my memory. It is sad to hear the passing of the Great Etta James but the blues will always live on. Great post Mudbrooker!

[OxTheWriter]

@Gliese581f,

Actually got to see "Honeyboy" and Sumlin together, a couple months before they passed away. Honeyboy was sitting down and Sumlin had an oxygen tank hooked up, but you wouldn't have guessed it from their playing. And now, Etta. Not a good day.

[Gliese581f]

@OxTheWriter Did you see them during the Blues at the Crossroads tour? I had a chance to see them but a family issue arose and I could not make it. I envy you Sir!

[OxTheWriter]

@Gliese581f,

Yes, that was the show. Saw it at a casino, which is usually depressing, but the room they were in had fantastic acoustics and I was right up front. Had seen Sumlin a couple of times before, but a first (and unfortunately last) for Honeyboy.

[Gliese581f]

@OxTheWriter Once again I must say I envy you. Thankfully I have YouTube so that I can see their performances from that tour but alas, it’s in no way like seeing them live.

[62netty]

Did Etta James die? I'm sad to hear that. She was a wonderful artist and an example for a generation of strong women. R.I.P.

[MacNutz2]

It took a bit to recognize the Randy Newman song. Beautiful

RIP Etta

[Artifactorfiction]

Sweet voice sweet sentiment sweet song