Etta Jones - At Last (CD)

All Music Guide

Throughout much of her last 40 years, Etta Jones found her name being continually mixed up with that of Etta James. So somehow it seems right then that she recorded James' trademark song "At Last," giving the piece her own spin and showing that Etta Jones is far from an imitation of Etta James. In a set that emphasizes swing standards, Jones turns everything into soulful blues, assisted by a top group that includes tenorsaxophonist Houston Person, trumpeter Eddie Allen, altoist Jimmy Hall and pianist Benny Green. Three selections are with a quintet that matches Person and pianist Mike Renzi with violinist Tom Aalfs. Jones is in top form on highly individual versions of "You're A Sweetheart," "Wonder Why" and "You're Driving Me Crazy."

- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide