ROCK-A-RAMA
ETTA JAMES — All The Way Down (Chess):: Etta James, unheralded Queen of Soul, singing Randy Newman and produced by Gabriel (Steppenwolf) Mekler might sound like a bad idea to you, and it is. On the bright side, she has finally detoxified from her terrible heroin habit, so she'll probably be more active now.
ROCK-A-RAMA
RECORDS
ETTA JAMES - All The Way Down (Chess):: Etta James, unheralded Queen of Soul, singing Randy Newman and produced by Gabriel (Steppenwolf) Mekler might sound like a bad idea to you, and it is. On the bright side, she has finally detoxified from her terrible heroin habit, so she'll probably be more active now. Hopefully she'll do better than this in the months to come, and meanwhile you are directed to the two-record anthology Peaches to find out why Etta is so great.
MELBA MONTGOMERY (Elektra):: Even though it's on Elektra you aren't likely to get too confused about the fact that Elektra has gone (partly) gut country. Melba knows how (see cover) to wear a bra: I'm supported and proud.
COUNTRY GAZETTE - Don't Give Up Your Day Job (U,A.):: There is more good crossover C&W (from the vice versa direction) stuff than you can (as it is said) shake a stick at this year. This falls in the category of "if you like this sorta stuff, plunk, yore money down right quick" ~ 12 songs, including "Honky Cat."