Comments on: Withers: Etta James is upset

By: Myke

Myke — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 15:50:48 +0000

I love Etta. She’s just crusty. I would take her version over anybody elses myself.
Instead of painting over a Picasso I would just stick with my own works. Beyonce doesn’t write all of her own music but has a herd of lawyers to jump all over anybody who would dare take a penny out of her mega vault. I like Beyonce but aren’t some of her own songs just as appropriate? Haven’t her songs been even bigger than Etta’s?

One day Miss Knowles wil be the elder songbird and some tart will be doing her songs. Instead of whining jokingly she’ll probably sue them. The Obamas are in their late 40’s and not club kids. I’ll bet they would have been thrilled to have Miss Etta do it.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 04:18:06 +0000

Love Ms James’ At Last and several other songs by her. Bouncy did ok but she doesn’t have the grit in her voice.

I’ve seen Ms. James in concert. She sounded good but not great. That happens with age.

I think it was an offhand comment that made the press. Good from Ms. James if it sells more concert tickets. It’s not like she ever made a lot of $$$ from the songs she made classics.

I was more disappointed that Ray Charles didn’t live long enough to sing America at the We Are One Concert. I can’t hear that song without hearing his voice singing it.

By: John S

John S — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:28:37 +0000

Tavis Smiley had Etta on his show about a year ago, where she did At Last.
I have always loved the song, and Etta’s original version of it, but when she did it on Smiley’s show (her latest version) it sure wasn’t the same.

Yes, she’s a lot older now but Beyonce did the song amazingly.

Ms. Etta needs to get a grip. Does she think she should have been there singing instead of Byonce? You’ve got to be kidding.

By: Seanq

Seanq — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:18:08 +0000

Sounds like an old biddie squawking and clucking loudly about the new upstart chick. Girl, get over yourself, despite what you and apparently much of her fans think, Woman, thou art human!!!

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 05:39:42 +0000

“At Last” isn’t “owned” by Etta James, or otherwise “hers” – c’mon. It was not written by Etta James. It was sung by somebody else when it originally appeared in the 1942 movie “Orchestra Wives.” And Stevie Wonder made a hit out of it, too. It’s been sung by lots and lots of people. It’s, like, a “standard,” you know what I’m sayin’?

Either this is a joke (or untrue), or somebody’s bein’ catty! And slamming Obama — yuck!

While maybe Obama should have had Beyonce and James sing it as a duet — if James would have tolerated it!

By: Ramón

Ramón — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 02:13:15 +0000

I found the entire thing very suspicious, and lo and behold, just a few hours ago she cleared up the whole thing; she was joking and playing her live Seattle audience. That’s more in keeping with her persona. So, in effect, she pulled one on everybody – press included. Good for her!

By: Will

Will — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:24:51 +0000

She did not get paid. always follow the money.

By: Daniel O'Sullivan III

Daniel O'Sullivan III — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:59:34 +0000

I dont know it must be an age thing not only black. Ertha Kitt was the same way,, all goo goooy on stage and a B_ _ _ ch in person.
It was good to hear Dolly Parton when she heard that Whitney’s version was better than Dolly’s and Dolly wrote it,, She simply said,,, whelll dumplin,,, I’ve made more money on it than she ever will,, and I’d be happier and richer if everyone wanted to sing my songs.
love and laughter
odannyoh@hotmail.com

By: KaT

KaT — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:53:42 +0000

Love Etta … Not so keen on “That” Beyonce Chick – So I can understand Etta’s frustration. What’s with the “Big Ear” comment? How old is this woman? Perhaps the years are catching up – I know that my grandmother thought it was a rite of passage to say WHATEVER was on her mind – good, bad or indifferent – no matter what the social response would be.

By: Chris Sullivan

Chris Sullivan — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:40:43 +0000

Sounds like Ms. James just wants her name in the spotlight one last time and there is no better way that a little self-created drama to accomplish that.