I’ve been absent, blame the car accident and the stress accompanying it (God knows I do, lol). I couldn’t let Etta James’s passing go without a response. She is among the greats for me: Ella, Billie, Etta, Aretha, Nina, Patsy, Sarah, Shirley… women whose voices shattered barriers and truly got to the heart of a woman. Some of the lyrics were dated or even borderline offensive to a new generation of feminist women but the strength of their character always endured. At Last has come to epitomize Etta James and it’s probably one of my favorite songs ever. One that has spoken to me personally over the years, never just about one love… but about them all.
As these great women pass I always wonder who will fill these shoes? Where is there a song or a singer that can speak to women across the generations? Certainly we have some great voices making music, but will Adele’s songs still tear sobs from your breast in a decade?
A tribute to the women whose strong powerful voices have enriched my life, consoled my soul and made falling in love feel inspired. Thank you all.
Ella Fitzgerald – Summertime
Ella Fitzgerald – Dream A Little Dream
Billie Holiday – It Had To Be You
Nina Simone – I Put A Spell On You
Nina Simone – My Baby Just Cares For Me
Patsy Cline – She’s Got You
Nina Simone – Feeling Good
Sarah Vaughn – Whatever Lola Wants
Aretha Franklin – I Never Loved A Man, The Way That I Love You
Etta James – Misty Blue
Sarah Vaughn – Fever
This is how the great voices stay contemporary :)
Dame Shirley Bassey – Get This Party Started
Dame Shirley Bassey with Propellerheads – History Repeating