At Last (Blue Vinyl)

This masterpiece remains to this day, one of the best soul/R&B albums ever. Here Etta James was comfortable and convincing, singing pop standards as she did on the magnificent title track, which was written in 1941 and originally recorded by Glenn Miller’s Orchestra. “At Last” became Etta’s signature song. It reached number two on the R&B chart Band number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her powerhouse contralto voice was matched with the sumptuous, bluesy string arrangements of Riley Hampton, and James truly came into her own as a singer.