Recorded live at Marla's Memory Lane Supper Club in Los Angeles, this 1986 date finds
Etta James in front of a superb combo fronted by
Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, with
Red Holloway,
Jack McDuff, and
Shuggie Otis providing the supple and swinging backdrop. Vinson is featured on "Kidney Stew," "When My Baby Left Me," and "Railroad Porter Blues" before the turning the stage over to
Etta, who provides a blistering "Something's Got a Hold on Me" and a sultry three-song medley of "At Last," "Trust Me," and "Sunday Kind of Love." The two stars duet on
Percy Mayfield's "Please Send Me Someone to Love" before
Etta closes the show with strong readings of "Lover Man" and "Misty." The small crowd's enthusiastic response makes this a show you wish you were there for; this disc is the next best thing to it. ~ Cub Koda