Producers include: Billy Davis, Gabriel Mekler, Esmond Edwards, Monk Higgins, Rick Hall.

Reissue producer: Andy McKaie.

Principally recorded in Chicago between 1960-1975. Includes liner notes by David Ritz.

Digitally remastered by Erick Labson (MCA Music Media Studios), except "Would It Make Any Difference," "Pay Back" and "Two Sides To Every Story" which were remixed to stereo from original 4-tracks.

THE ESSENTIAL ETTA JAMES contains 2 CDs worth of recordings Etta James made for Chess Records between 1960-1975. Also included is a 16-page booklet with photos, interviews and track-by-track annotations.

The Essential Etta James comprises 44 tracks summarizing the long and brilliant Chess tenure of "Miss Peaches," Etta James, opening with her 1960 smash "All I Could Do Was Cry," and encompassing her torchy, fully orchestrated ballads "At Last," "My Dearest Darling," and "Trust in Me," and continuing on through her 1962 gospel-rocker "Something's Got a Hold on Me," the Chicago soul standouts "I Prefer You" and "842-3089," and her 1967 Muscle Shoals-cut smash "Tell Mama." A few of the '70s sides that conclude the two-disc set seem like filler when compared to what preceded them, but most of the essentials are aboard. ~ Bill Dahl

This is the definitive collection of Etta James's career-defining work at Chess Records. Spanning two discs and 44 tracks, THE ESSENTIAL takes the listener chronologically from 1960's heart-wrenching story-song "All I Could Do Is Cry" to 1975's "Lovin' Arms." Newcomers will be impressed by what long-time fans have always known: James is a masterful vocalist capable of moving from airy, nuanced balladry to gutbucket, growling blues within the space of single measure.

This range is amply represented on THE ESSENTIAL with string-sweetened ballads ("Trust in Me"), rave-up rockers ("Something's Got a Hold on Me"), and soul workouts ("842-3089 [Call My Name]"). While the lion's share of material comes from the early '60s, 1967's "Tell Mama," recorded at the famed Muscle Shoals studio and possibly James's best-known song, comes blazing out on the second disc. The singer's skill at interpreting popular material can be heard too on Don Covay's "You Got It," Otis Redding's "Security," and three tunes by Randy Newman, including a deeply funky "You Can Leave Your Hat On." Whether accompanied by lush orchestrations or a full-tilt R&B band, James's gritty, soulful voice never faltered, and this set brings a beautiful sampling of her achievements under one cover.