Etta James, the quintessential rhythm & blues vocalist, is set to release her final studio album, The Dreamer, before retiring from recording after an inconic 50-year career, the star announced today.
“I wish to thank all my fans who have shown me love and support over all these years. I love you all,” she said in a statement.
The album features her one-of-a-kind renditions of Otis Redding’s “Cigarettes and Coffee” and Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “Dreamer” to Ray Charles’ “In The Evening” and Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome To The Jungle.”
Etta James, The Dreamer, Set List
- Groove Me (King Floyd)
- Champagne and Wine (Otis Redding/Roy Johnson/Alan Walden)
- Dreamer (Jerry Zaremba)
- Welcome To The Jungle (William Rose/Saul Hudson)
- Misty Blue (Bob Montgomery)
- Boondocks (Karen Fairchild/Wayne Kirkpatrick/Kimberly Roads/Phillip Sweet/Jimi Westbrook)
- Cigarettes and Coffee (Jerry Butler/Jay Walker/Eddie Thomas) no Otis as writer
- In The Evening (Ray Charles)
- Too Tired (Maxwell Dixon/Sam Ling/Johnny Watson)
- That’s The Chance You’ve Got to Take (Johnny Watson)
- Let Me Down Easy (James Milton Campbell Jr.)
James, 73, has been setting the pace as a singer and song stylist since 1950s, earning numerous accolades including six Grammy Awards, including the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, a Best Jazz Vocal Performance and two Hall of Fame Awards.
In 1993, James was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 2001 she was inducted by both the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame and the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame.
She also is immortalized in Hollywood with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Throughout her career, James created a remarkably deep and diverse catalog of R&B, blues, soul, pop and jazz recordings.
James crossed all musical genres and styles and has been cited as a major influence by a wide range of singers from Janis Joplin to Irma Thomas to Christina Aguilera and Adele.
James will release The Dreamer, her new album through Verve Forecast on Oct. 25.
It’s her first album in five years, and her final studio album before she retires.
Earlier this year, she was hospitalized for treatment of sepsis caused by a urinary tract infection.