Let's Roll

• Artist: Etta James
• Rating:
• Release Date: May 06, 2003
• Genre: Blues

Review

These days, the blues market often functions as a sanctuary for R&B artists who still provide soul and/or funk as we knew it in the '60s and '70s. Sounding a lot like Sam & Dave or Wilson Pickett won't get you on urban contemporary radio -- actually, it will probably keep you off urban radio -- but it might result in a gig at the Chicago Blues Festival or a contract with Alligator Records. For Etta James, refusing to embrace urban contemporary-style R&B has meant two things: (1) zero airplay on modern black stations, and (2) an enthusiastic following in the blues market. James has always been more of an R&B singer than a blues singer, but because she's so rootsy by today's standards, this 2003 release will get much of its support from blues fans. James, who turned 65 on January 25, 2003, is in fine form throughout the CD. Over the years, James has worked with a variety of producers, but she produced Let's Roll herself -- and the result is one of her most rock-minded releases. A few of the tracks have a blues-rock outlook, including "The Blues Is My Business" and a gutsy performance of Billy Beck's early-'50s hit "Stacked Deck." But much of the time, James favors a rock-influenced approach to Southern soul. In fact, many of the selections recall Ike & Tina Turner's '60s and early-'70s output, especially "Strongest Weakness," "Lie No Better," and "Somebody to Love" (not to be confused with the psychedelic Jefferson Airplane classic). James' longtime fans will be happy to know that she is very much on top of her game throughout this excellent CD. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Somebody to Love (Lyrics)	Delbert McClinton, Gary Nicholson	Etta James	(5:48)
The Blues Is My Business	Kevin Bowe, Todd Cherney	Etta James	(3:33)
Leap of Faith (Lyrics)	Gary Nicholson, Glen Clarke	Etta James	(4:00)
Strongest Weakness (Lyrics)	Gary Nicholson, Bekka Bramlett	Etta James	(4:53)
Wayward Saints of Memphis	Kevin Bowe, Delbert McClinton	Etta James	(5:42)
Lie No Better (Lyrics)	Gary Nicholson	Etta James	(3:31)
Trust Yourself	Kevin Bowe	Etta James	(4:45)
A Change Is Gonna Do Me Good	Bob DiPiero, Al Anderson	Etta James	(5:23)
Old Weakness	Gary Nicholson	Etta James	(3:12)
Stacked Deck	Billy Wright	Etta James	(8:01)
On the 7th Day (Lyrics)	Kevin Bowe	Etta James	(5:01)
Please, No More	David Egan	Etta James	(4:40)

Credits

Lupe DeLeon (Executive Producer), Sametto James (Assistant Engineer), Lee Thornburg (Horn Arrangements), David Z. (Mixing), Lee Thornburg (Trumpet), Josh Sklair (Guitar (Electric)), Donto Metto James (Drums), Josh Sklair (Banjo), Kwaku Alston (Photography), Bobby Murray (Guitar (Electric)), Josh Sklair (Guitar (12 String)), Etta James (Producer), Hank Williams (Mastering), Josh Sklair (Slide Guitar), Patrick Clifford (A&R), Josh Sklair (Guitar (Acoustic)), Donto Metto James (Producer), Jimmy "Z" Zavala (Sax (Baritone)), Donto Metto James (Vocals), Josh Sklair (Synthesizer), Etta James (Vocals), Josh Sklair (Rhythm Arrangements), Donto Metto James (Engineer), Josh Sklair (Producer), Donto Metto James (Percussion), Jimmy "Z" Zavala (Sax (Tenor)), Josh Sklair (Director), Tom Poole (Trumpet), Jimmy "Z" Zavala (Harmonica), Lee Thornburg (Trombone), Sametto James (Bass), Sametto James (Producer), Tom Poole (Horn Arrangements), Etta James (Liner Notes), Terrance Galloway (Assistant Producer)

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