Etta James still legendary
I'm speechless. It's all because of Etta James.
Last night's concert at the Turning Stone proved some legends will never die. At 71, Etta James took the stage like a swanky, sexy - and dare I say feisty - 20-something. With second row center seats in the Showroom, I heard every whisper intended to be just for her and her bandmates, witnessed every flirty smile she shared with the front row of gentlemen, and saw every gleam and glitter from the gold sequins that decorated her vest.
I wasn't even born yet when Etta James was making her mark on the world, but decades later I can see what made this soulfoul crooner last. Whether she sang her classics: "At Last," "Come to Mama" or pleased crowds with a Janis Joplin cover, Etta James delivered. I was easily overcome with emotion as she belted every note with a vigor and emotion that couldn't possibly come from anywhere but pure love.
But it was Etta James' ability to capture audiences with her personality - tart tongue, seductive gaze, sexually-charged interchange and genuine appreciation - that drew me in past her musical ability.
Beyond the experience of being witness to this legend's performance, the concert provided another example to me of the Mohawk Valley's role as a premiere entertainment hub. It's hard to believe a woman of Etta James' caliber and legendary stature would spend her Tuesday night just 20 minutes from Utica. Once again, I am awed by what the Mohawk Valley offers to us in terms of entertainment. I will consider Etta James' performance at age 71 a once in a lifetime opportunity and I'm proud to say I was able to experience it without leaving our area.
Turning Stone will host upcoming acts including Earth, Wind and Fire and Chicago; No Doubt and Third Eye Blind. Check out www.turningstone.com for more.
Last night's concert at the Turning Stone proved some legends will never die. At 71, Etta James took the stage like a swanky, sexy - and dare I say feisty - 20-something. With second row center seats in the Showroom, I heard every whisper intended to be just for her and her bandmates, witnessed every flirty smile she shared with the front row of gentlemen, and saw every gleam and glitter from the gold sequins that decorated her vest.
I wasn't even born yet when Etta James was making her mark on the world, but decades later I can see what made this soulfoul crooner last. Whether she sang her classics: "At Last," "Come to Mama" or pleased crowds with a Janis Joplin cover, Etta James delivered. I was easily overcome with emotion as she belted every note with a vigor and emotion that couldn't possibly come from anywhere but pure love.
But it was Etta James' ability to capture audiences with her personality - tart tongue, seductive gaze, sexually-charged interchange and genuine appreciation - that drew me in past her musical ability.
Beyond the experience of being witness to this legend's performance, the concert provided another example to me of the Mohawk Valley's role as a premiere entertainment hub. It's hard to believe a woman of Etta James' caliber and legendary stature would spend her Tuesday night just 20 minutes from Utica. Once again, I am awed by what the Mohawk Valley offers to us in terms of entertainment. I will consider Etta James' performance at age 71 a once in a lifetime opportunity and I'm proud to say I was able to experience it without leaving our area.
Turning Stone will host upcoming acts including Earth, Wind and Fire and Chicago; No Doubt and Third Eye Blind. Check out www.turningstone.com for more.
posted by Fusion at
3:12 PM
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