Etta James – The Montreux Years

New, Still Sealed.

This is one of two double LP sets that BMG released culled from live performances at the Annual Montreux (Switzerland) Jazz Fest going back to the late 1960s. Festival founder Claude Nobs was not only a huge jazz fan but he wanted the performances preserved and in 2007 set up a foundation to create a digital archive. (Nobs died in 2013).

Over the years there have been DVD releases (mostly from Eagle Rock Entertainment) but now come to these “deluxe” packages. Similar sets from Nina Simone and Etta James were released the same day. I’ve been listening to both and love each one. In both cases, there is one LP with songs from a half-dozen festivals and a second disc with a full concert. Of course, all were recorded LIVE and you can hear the audience’s reactions.

Most folks know James from her mega-hit “At Last” and that’s here among the 21 tracks on the two CDs, but it’s part of a medley (“Trust in Me” and “Sunday Kind of Love” fill out the trio). The first LP has performances from 1977 through 1990 while the full concert is from 1975 – and James is at her most powerful on songs by Elmore James, Jimmy Reed, and B.B. King – a long way from the ballads like “At Last”. Nobs was a musician too and often sat in with the band. On two occasions here he is heard on harmonica.

James’ introductions to the songs are included the sound quality as well is – well – superb! With my headphones on, and my eyes closed, I felt I was there!

Both sets (and I assume more are coming) are 5×5-inch hardbound books with the discs inserted both front and back, with 12 pages in between with all personnel, a bit about the Nobs Foundation, and an essay by well-known publicist Bob Merlis (who counted James among his clients.)