Etta James Disses Beyonce's Inauguration Performance

[question everything]

Etta James Disses Beyonce's Inauguration Performance
Posted 48 minutes ago by Billy Johnson, Jr. in Hip-Hop Media Training

It's safe to assume that Beyonce's portrayal of Etta James in the retro film Cadillac Records did not impress the legendary soul singer. The 71-year-old pioneer, who rose to fame in 1950s, recently made it clear that she was not a fan of the self-proclaimed diva whose third solo album I Am...Sasha Fierce is the #3 album in the country. Before performing "At Last" at Seattle's Paramount Theatre last Wednesday, James complained about Beyonce singing the song for President Obama and wife Michelle's first dance at the Neighborhood Ball.

"You know that woman he had singing for him, singing my song, she's going to get her a-- whipped," Etta said to a thunderous applause. She went on to add that she could not "stand" Beyonce. Some dismiss James' anger as jealously, saying that she is only upset because she was not invited to perform the song herself. However, James' anger warrants the asking of a few key questions: Did anyone from Obama or Beyonce's camps contact James beforehand to seek her blessing?

Since Etta is not credited as a songwriter for "At Last," she technically does not have the authority to approve who sings the song. However, considering the significance of the song being performed at the inauguration ball for the first African American president and furthermore the song being used for the president's first dance with the first lady, consulting James beforehand would have been the honorable thing to do. I know that appropriate clearances were already in place for Beyonce to perform the song for the promotion of Cadillac Records, but the inauguration is a historical, not promotional, event.

Additionally, based on James' rant, she is not a fan of the president either. When addressing the Seattle crowd, she referred to Obama as "your president...the one with the big ears," and added, "he's not my president." Was James even considered to sing or even invited to the inauguration? Let's be honest, would the inauguration committee have asked Beyonce to sing an Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross or Tina Turner song in lieu of having their involvement? We all know the answer to that question. Since Etta has said that she is not a supporter of Obama, had she received an invite or not, maybe she would not have attended. To take it a step further, if Etta had made it clear that she did not want any ties to Obama, why then would they use her staple song to celebrate his first day of presidency?


(snip)

A representative for Beyonce said that the singer does not have a statement or comment at this time.


http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/hiphopmediatraining/59442/etta-james-disses-beyonces-inauguration-performance/

[Cash_thatswhatiwant]

1. posted:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8168558&mesg_id=8168558 :)

[question everything]

15. Oops, sorry

did not even think of conducting a search, first.

:hi:

[WI_DEM]

2. I think she is just jealous she wasn't invited to sing or something.

[DevonRex]

3. Good thing Obama didn't have Etta sing it herself. Concert review: Bawdy.

snip

With all due respect to Beyoncé, no one can sing Etta like Etta — as the 71-year-old blues diva went on to also prove in her encore number, a get-down blast through Al Green's "Love and Happiness."

But for much of her limited set at the Paramount, James let the audience do some of the vocal heavy lifting (on a pretty strange singalong version of "Piece of My Heart"), or sang abbreviated versions of some of her best-known numbers, starting with the opener, "Come to Mama," while making lewd facial and hand gestures.

Some patrons had brought young children along to see the legendary singer, who is getting more attention lately thanks in part to "Cadillac Records" and the Obama connection. A little research, however, would have told them that this blues queen ain't never been no Girl Scout. She's always been a bawdy performer (nicknamed Peaches, for reasons you might guess), whose R&B prowess came with growling, gritty phrasing, off-color lyrics and earthshaking lung power.

link:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/musicnightlife/2008685816_zmus29ettareview.html

The comments after another review are pretty awful. You really have to read them to get an idea. But here's part of one comment:

Anticipation wracked my soul but less than half way through the first song an image flashed in my mind. It was old film footage of an Atlas rocket, flames & smoke pouring from the bottom, rising slowly from the launch pad, sputtering, hovering, tilting over and falling back to earth in a ball of flames . . . . . Exciting, Shocking but Pitifully Disappointing. The film replayed frequently every time Etta sang the same descending scat line at the end of indistinguishable grunts & lyrics. The rocket imagery was a welcome relief from having to watch this 71 year old flick & wiggle her tongue, touch & rub herself disgustingly and repeatedly stretching lyrical innuendos into oblivion!
Having endured the repulsive visuals and the audible "talking" through four or five tunes we left the theater after "AT LAST" leaving 99% of the crowd behind . . . . The balance (or maybe more) of the "1% Not Deaf / Not Blind" audience members were also streaming for the exits. The concert could have been over but we didn’t care and couldn't wait to get some fresh air! . . . . As one of our new 1% acquaintances said as we walked away, "Now when I listen to those great songs I won't be able put out of my mind what I just saw." . . . . Sad . . . .

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/pop/397998_james30q.html

[firedupdem]

4. JenniferZ! I have been looking for you! I like your new name but

you got me all confused now! ;)



on edit: I think she's a jealous drunk.

[DevonRex]

5. Yep, I'm now an honorary member of the DU Jens now, too!

And hey, join the confused club. We have quite a few members here but we're too confused to plan meetings. :)

:hi:

[firedupdem]

6. Ha! I thought about changing my name but hell I just got here

and picked that one!

[quiller4]

9. I wonder if the Times reviewer was actually there

Folks who had seen Etta at her prime were sorely disappointed and people were leaving throughout the concert. It was really a bit sad. This woman was once wonderful. Now she seems to be losing both her voice and her grip on reality.

[genna]

7. What's the background on this?

[question everything]

14. Only what you read

"At Last" has been Etta James' signature song even though, as the reports says, she has no rights to it.

And I know I am was disappointed that it was not her who sang it in the ball. I even had a thread here...

[Hutzpa]

8. I honestly thought she was extinct,

you know... as in Dinosaurs living this world million
years ago.

:evilgrin:

[WinkyDink]

12. Born 1938. She should be extinct?

[Bluenorthwest]

10. I saw Etta many years ago

and she was something to hear, and to see. Amazing. She's never been a goody two shoes. When I saw her she was fresh from jail. Had stuff to say. I was glued to my seat. One of the best performances I've ever seen, and I've seen far more than my share.

[question everything]

16. Same here. Saw here in the House of Blues in LA about 12 years ago, I think

and she held the crowd attention. Not only with her song but with her stage presence.

(I did not know that she spent time in jail..)

[WinkyDink]

11. She's HURT, people. FGS, it is HER song, not just "a" song. Not to mention she's old enough to have

fought some equality battles.

[Uzybone]

13. Its not HER song, she did a cover of it like Beyonce did

she should STFU

[question everything]

17. She has been associated with it before Beyonce was born

If you look for "At Last" on Wikipedia, you will see a cover of a record with her picture.

You talk to any old times jazz or blues aficionados and if you will mention "At Last" people immediately will reply: Etta James.