ETTA JAMES, "MELLOW FELLOW" C/W "BOBBY IS HIS NAME," ARGO 5485 (REL. 11/1964)

 

Etta James was a show-biz veteran in late 1964. She'd been recording for almost a decade and had a long string of hits. For the past few years, she'd been with Chess Records' Argo imprint--a fabulous array of Black music from the Chicago area. Today's single would be her last on that label. She switched to Chess' Cadet imprint until 1970, at which time she went on the main label (where she should've been all along).

Today's single marked a powerful shift in Ms. James' approach. She'd coasted for a few years on a big-band blues approach, often with spectacular results and several pop hits amongst her myriad r&b smashes. These two songs, in collaboration with smooth soulster Ed Townsend, revealed a new side to this gifted performer and a welcome derivation from the path she'd pursued with success for a good long run.

"Mellow Fellow" opens with brooding strings, guitar and a soulful chorus as Etta lays down a musical preamble. When the song proper begins, one is struck by the sound of the percussion. It's loud, brash and...funky. The song celebrates all the cool cats Ms. J eyes as she makes her lustful way 'round town. She digs their couture and knows all the brand names by heart. All this discussion of clothing suggests she has a bigger plan...to remove those fancy ties, shoes and mohair suits.

This is utter celebration; no warning or remorse in Etta's view. The arrangement has a blown-out sound that syncs with the song's detailed lyrics to perfection. This is the human sex drive set to music and shot through with humor, because sex is, after all, a laugh riot. (Or it should be.)

Small wonder this didn't make the pop charts; it's one of Etta's most sought-after singles and a huge favorite of soul DJs. I was delighted to score a nice copy of this for a tenth of its current general price--and to share it with you today. Enjoy!

Cash Box makes it sound like Etta is some pitiful has-been

in this otherwise-effusive thumbs-up.

"Bobby is His Name" was co-written by Townsend and James. It gets into the more tender soul territory of Billy Stewart, who was on Chess at the time. Etta's nobody's copycat; this turns into an intense soul ballad laden with bluesy strings. James' performance is stunning. She had that rare gift of knowing dynamics and which words in a lyric to highlight with emotion.

Sit back and enjoy a stellar soul performance. I'll say no more.

This single just missed the r&b Top 30 and, as said, was anathema to the pop charts. Etta would soon be back in the hitmaking groove, but a record like this one was a magic moment amidst more routine releases. This single is a tough act to follow.

Tomorrow: Tommy Sands made many dull records, but this ain't one of them! Solid rockabilly twin-spin on a rare 1959 Capitol Records release sure to sweeten Monday's Mondayness.