Etta James: The Montreux Years is a treasure trove of timeless classics, powerful and electrifying performances and raw, soaring vocals by one of the greatest ever female vocalists. The collection, featuring recordings from James’ Montreux Jazz Festival concerts in 1977, 1978, 1989 1990 and 1993, encapsulates and reflects Etta’s dynamic artistry and long-lasting impact. Spanning performances from across three decades, Etta James: The Montreux Years offers deeply personal and intimate snapshots into James’ acclaimed musical journey, highlights and her phenomenal career.
From one of Etta James’ earliest successes, the infectious and endlessly elegant “Something’s Got A Hold On Me,” a medley that consist of “At Last,” “Trust In Me” and “Sunday Kind of Love,” which is a fusion of highlights from the early 60s, to the raw and emotional “I’d Rather Go Blind” and soulful horn-driven “Tell Mama.” The collection closes with “Baby What You Want Me To Do,” James’ homage to Jimmy Reed and the encore of her 1979 concert.
In 1975, Montreux Jazz Festival captured a significant moment of musical history—Etta James’ very first concert in Europe, performing at the festival’s 9th edition. The CD edition of Etta James: The Montreux Years includes this special landmark concert, held at Montreux Casino on 11 July 1975, in full.