Valerie June on Etta James' "At Last!" (1960)

In January 1960, 22 year-old Etta James began recording her debut album, At Last!  It would go on to be her best selling record and the title track is undoubtedly one of the greatest songs ever to be put on wax.  Etta lived the blues and effortlessly moved through pop, R&B, and rock. She went on to release countless more records, but never reached the commercial success of At Last, partially due to the changing musical landscape and her struggles with addiction throughout her life.

Singer/songwriter Valerie June sits down with us to talk about the legacy of Etta James, what separated Etta's voice from her contemporaries, and how khakis introduced Oliver to an Etta classic. 

More on Valerie June

Check out Valerie's new track "Call Me A Fool"Valerie's Tiny Desk ConcertTwitter | Instagram

More on Etta James

Etta live at Montreux 1975Etta's interview on Fresh Air

Show Tracklisting (all songs from At Last! unless otherwise indicated):

At LastMy Heart CriesValerie June: You Can't Be ToldGirl of My DreamsIt's A Crying ShameTrust In MeAretha Franklin & Lou Rawls: At LastAretha Franklin: Skylark (Alternate Version)Valerie June: Workin' Woman BluesEtta James: I'd Rather Go Blind (Live at Montreux)Valerie June: Cosmic DancerAll I Could Do Was CryA Sunday Kind of LoveAt LastA Sunday Kind of LoveAnything to Say You're MineIf I Can't Have YouTough MaryAt LastEtta James: The Sound of LoveEtta James & Sugar Pie DeSanto: In The BasementEtta James: Champagne & Wine

Here is the Spotify playlist of as many songs as we can find on there

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