Last night Etta James described herself as a funky b*tch. And, based on her backing band The Roots Band she sho’nuff is. Man, that band blew the roof off the theater. Etta was funny, bawdy and her voice was just amazing. She didn’t make us wait for the encore to hear At Last which surprised me. I figured we’d be left hanging but she let that song loose about mid-set.
The other surprise was the skinny, hyper, bleached blonde, clothes-a-little-too-tight woman who sat next to me and knew every single song Etta James song, ever, I think. She was seriously excited to be there. I don’t think her companion could get a word in because of how hyped up fan-girl was.
The guy who opened was really great and I’d love to tell you his name but all I can remember is David. Every time he said his name the crowd was clapping too loud for me to hear it. He played guitar and some steel guitar which is a sure way to get to me. He sang the blues with a deep rumbly voice and had great stories in between songs.