Deep in the Night
Originally released in the late '70s, this studio session paired Etta James with the great Atlantic Records soul-music producer Jerry Wexler and dipped into an eclectic songbook that included Erma Franklin's "Piece of My Heart" as well as British songbird Kiki Dee's "Sugar on the Floor." James transformed the latter from treacle into a touching essay on heartache and loss. Even theEagles' "Take It to the Limit" becomes a testimonial to the strength of human endurance under James's gospel-inspired command, which leads her to rework a phrase until every possible meaning becomes apparent. She takes this material to its artistic heights, showing the marks of a truly inspired performer.--Ted Drozdowski