Second Time Around (Vinyl LP, Orange Marble)

Twist‑’til-you-drop with a new pressing of Etta James’ Second Time Around. Released in 1961, it delivered two Top 20 R&B singles with finesse becoming a modest pop favourite for years to come. Few records of the era are still being revisited so regularly reaffirming why Etta James remains one of the great vocalists in American music. - Flying Out

A smash of jazz and rock, Second Time Around spawned two top 20 R&B singles but more importantly, landed Etta James on the Pop charts with three separate singles: the devastating lead-off track “Don’t Cry Baby,” the slow burn of “Fool That I Am” and the swing from the rafters/twist until you hurt of “Seven Day Fool”. The beauty of this album is in the contradiction of these two stylistic worlds: heart-on-your-sleeve ballads sitting next to all-out rockers.

Like her debut, this follow-up record was produced by Phil and Leonard Chess, who added orchestral backing to create a sound that was as spectacular as the best of Frank Sinatra or Ray Charles. It’s that unique combination of James’ voice that can go from heavenly angel to devilish rasp with the same song that makes her not only a sonic icon but also one of the greatest vocal interpreters of all time.