Music Monday 12 :: Etta James "At Last"

I keep hearing Beyonce's version of "At Last". Not that I don't like it, but it really waters down the original. I guess the "Bey" version is more popular now since she sang it as the president and his wife had their first dance to it a few days ago. Also, the song is now available on the "Cadillac Records" soundtrack.

At Last - Etta James

When I saw Beyonce sing the song for the first dance, I was a bit miffed. No disrespect to her, but it seems like disrespect for Etta James, the singer who popularized the song. Etta James is still alive you know. I'm hoping that she was asked to sing the song, but for some reason was unavailable. I really want to know if she was asked to sing the song.

James' version of the song is so crisp and effortless. And the instrumentation is precise. Good stuff.

This YouTube version won't sit well w/some who like live performances to mimic the recorded version. James improvises and takes the song in a different direction.