The Best Of

• Greatest Hits & Rarieties
• The Essential Sarah Vaughan
• Hits Collection
• Hound Dog - The Essential Collection
• The Essential Billie Holiday

Almost persuaded, originally a number one country hit for David Houston, is given a bluesy R+B treatment here. Maybe Etta was inspired to try this by Ray Charles' re-interpretation of country songs, but whatever the reason she did it, the result is impressive. Loving arms, recorded by many singers but generally associated with Elvis Presley, is another inspired cover, as is At last, originally recorded by Glenn Miller.

Etta was first to record I'd rather go blind. In Britain, this became a top twenty UK hit via a cover by the British blues group Chicken Shack. Christine McVie (later of Fleetwood Mac fame) was the lead singer on that single but much as I love Christine's voice, the original version by Etta is superior. Etta's only UK hit of her own came following its use in a TV commercial in 1996 - it made the UK top five and is, of course, the raunchy opening track here, I just wanna make love to you.

Etta had plenty of R+B hits in America, though she only made a limited impact on the main pop charts. Among Etta's R+B hits to be found here are Pushover, Tell Mama and Stop the wedding, all of them excellent.

As an introduction to Etta's music, this is brilliant, especially considering that it is a budget release.

I didn't realise I would know so many of the other tracks like 'I Just Want To Make Love To You' and 'Leave Your Hat On' but I find myself singing along to each and every one.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable album and a definite must for anyones collection.

• Styles > Blues
• Styles > R&B and Soul

• Amazon.co.uk : The Best Of