Regressive Music Review

These two CDs are not a set but in the end I couldn’t separate the two so I decided to review both. I was fortunate enough for The Late Show to be my introduction to Etta James in 1987. Since then I’ve collected many of her works, but this one stands out above all others. What’s different about these live recordings than the current Etta James live release? Well, at least six things; Red Holloway, Jack McDuff, Shugie Otis, Richard Reid, Paul Humphrey, and of course, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson. I think the sound quality is better on this undertaking also.

These albums were recorded at Marla’s Memory Lane in Los Angeles, owned by the Jefferson’s Marla Gibbs in 1986; just before James had her R&B rebirth with Randy Newman’s "You Can Leave Your Hat On," and several remixes of her greatest hits along with other successive works.

Vinson is a veteran saxophonist who recorded with blues players like Oscar Peterson and Cannonball Adderley. Red Holloway, also a sax player is known for his jazz and blues work. Brother Jack McDuff is known for his Hammond organ work. Shugie Otis is the son of the man who discovered James, Johnny Otis. Richard Reid is a heavy hitting jazz bassist. And Paul Humphrey who has worked with Steely Dan, Maria Muldaur, and various jazz people, rounded out the crew on drums.

Blues In The Night
The first set begins with Vinson solo, then James comes on also solo. Vinson starts off with a live rendition of his big hit "Old Kidney Stew." Known for his work bouncing from jump blues to jazz, his style comes through in this song. Vinson and Holloway go at it in a nice warm up. Next up is "When My Baby Left Me," Otis and Vinson do a great, jazz and blues intro, while Vinson continues on into a slow blues vocal and sax solo. McDuff and Vinson move into a jazzy "Railroad Porter Blues," while Holloway plays slowly in the background. The audience is starting to really get into the show at this point. One of the highpoints of this record is the audience’s appreciation.

Next up Etta James starts out her solo with one of her big hits, "Something’s Got A Hold On Me." Audience and band together keep the beat with James as she sings a cross between gospel and blues. Red Holloway gets a great solo moment and James gives him his due, as she does everyone throughout this show.

Etta then does a medley of her greatest hits, "At Last/Trust Me/Sunday Kind of Love". I’ve heard James sing many versions of her signature tune, "At Last" and this is one of the best. Throughout all three songs she manages to go up and down, low and high effortlessly. James really belts it out on Sunday. She then goes into a great cover of Willie Dixon’s "I Just Wanna Make Love To You." Everyone is getting into it at this point, with James leading. And of course the crowd loves it.

James and Vinson do a brief duet of "Please Send Me Someone to Love" next. Vinson manages to keep up with James, and she tunes it down some just for him. They work well together. Etta then does a rather slow "Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be)."

The superlative moment on this album is its finale when James sings "Misty." She starts off with a sultry, slow interpretation and then, right on beat, into vocals that are, well quite frankly, profound. This is the jazzy Etta James that producers have tried to harness. I’ve never heard anyone give as good a rendition of this song as this group of people.

While most musicians would consider this a fine album and that would be the end of the story, this bunch is just getting started.

The Late Show
Cleanhead Vinson starts this set out with his own medley of "Cleanhead Blues," "Old Maid Boogie," "Home Boy," and "Cherry Red Blues." With over twenty-one minutes of music this is a lot of blues just in the intro. Etta James then comes on and does three more songs; "Baby, What You Want Me To Do?" "Sweet Little Angel," (made famous by Buddy Guy and B.B. King) and "I’d Rather Go Blind." Both artists do a great job of bringing their own unique sounds to these blues tunes.

James and Vinson next go into three great duets, of sorts. Etta James is perfect in her professionalism. She takes the lead without ever stealing the show or making it about herself. While singing with Vinson on "Teach Me Tonight" she tones her sound down to match his and reaches peaks only she can when she sings solo. James covers a intense version of Alice Cooper’s "Only Women Bleed" which is probaly how the song was meant to be sung in the first place. James tops off the performance with a gospel tune (of course, its the blues), "He’s Got The Whole World In His Hand."

James was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Eddie Cleanhead Vinson passed away in July of 1988. All of these other players are all alive and kicking as of this writing, and doing some great stuff, I might add. This is a moment in history that can never be recreated.

I have clearly gone over my usual five hundred-word limit, but, I couldn’t help myself with material like this. You may actually have to go to Amazon to pick up a copy of either CD since they are pretty hard to find in record stores. If you aren’t a blues fan this record is an expert example of improvisation, timing, and the craft of making live music. If you are a blues fan these are "must hear" CDs. If you are an Etta James fan you have to get these records. So before you go Burnin’ Down The House, pick up some Blues In The Night and catch The Late Show!
--The Dude

Buy Volume 1, Blues In The Night

Buy The Late Show

Etta James Site

Eddie Cleanhead Vinson Bio 1

Eddie Cleanhead Vinson Bio 2

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