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Originally released in the late '70s, this studio session paired Etta James with the great Atlantic Records soul-music producer Jerry Wexler and dipped into an eclectic songbook that included Erma Franklin's "Piece of My Heart" as well as British songbird Kiki Dee's "Sugar on the Floor." James transformed the latter from treacle into a touching essay on heartache and loss. Even the Eagles' "Take It to the Limit" becomes a testimonial to the strength of human endurance under James's gospel-inspired command, which leads her to rework a phrase until every possible meaning becomes apparent. She takes this material to its artistic heights, showing the marks of a truly inspired performer.Etta has a controlled thunderous voice, powerful but never screeching or overreaching. She does a definitive version of Piece of My Heart. Sorry Janis, but this lady sings without the histrionics. The songs set the narrative for a woman dealing with despair, defiance, vunerability, and love. Only Women Bleed is a raw, uncomfortable and too personal experience. She takes us to church to testify with an electrifying choir on Strange man. Deep in the night takes us to that lonely experience at 3:00 in the morning thinking back on past loves. Blind Girl tells of that desperate attempt to ignore the truth and hang on to a cheating lover. Etta can wring such emotion from that roller coaster song of truth and illusion. If I could choose just one Etta James CD, this would be it. She teamed up once more with Jerry Wexler for Right Time, but somehow the magic was not there.

Rating: 5 out of 5