ETTA JAMES – Losers Weepers (1970-2011) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although the 1970 album Losers Weepers was not a landmark in Etta James' career, and doesn't include any of her most famous or outstanding tracks, it's a solid enough album that has an edge on some of the other LPs from the later part of her time with Chess Records. To its credit, it doesn't seem to be trying as hard or self-consciously to absorb some influences from contemporary soul trends; largely, it lets James do what she does best: give romantic songs everything she's got, without holding back on some of her grittiest phrasing and throatiest belting. Were the material up to her vocal finesse, this would be up there with the likes of what Aretha Franklin was doing at the time. It's not, but the songs are OK vehicles for her tense and frustrated takes on love. The title track gave her a small R&B hit, and is certainly the best song here. If it's a little reminiscent of her own "I'd Rather Go Blind" in the verse, the jubilant, ascending chorus sets it off as a worthwhile tune on its own merits (and the next track, "Weepers," is a "part two" of sorts that also served as the B-side). It's a satisfying mix of ballads and more uptempo cuts (like "Look at the Rain," written by Jackie Edwards, famous for writing early hits for the Spencer Davis Group), also putting some pop into the arrangements and melodies alongside the expected soul. Richie Unterberger
Losers Weepers    
1    Take Out Some Insurance 2:58
Written-By – Leon Bonds
2    I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good 4:30
Written-By – Duke Ellington, Paul Francis Webster
3    I Think It's You 3:56
Written-By – Gene Barge
4    Someone 3:50
Written-By – George Soule, Richard Cherry
5    Losers Weepers 2:33
Written-By – Leon Bonds
6    Weepers 2:33
Written-By – Gene Barge, Leon Bonds
7    You're The Fool 2:40
Written-By – Sharon McMahan
8    Hold Back My Tears 6:07
Written-By – Alfonzo Thompson, Jimmy Cobb
9    For All We Know 3:28
Written-By – J Fred Coots, Sam M Lewis
10    Look At The Rain 3:04
Written-By – Jackie Edwards
11    Ease Away A Little Bit At A Time 3:40
Written-By – Clyde Otis, Rose Marie McCoy, Samson Horton
- BONUS TRACKS -
12    The Love Of My Man 2:39
Written-By – Ed Townsend
13    Tighten Up Your Own Thing 2:40
Written-By – Pearl Woods
14    Quick Reaction And Satisfaction 2:34
Written-By – Pearl Woods
15    Nothing From Nothing Leaves Nothing 3:34
Written-By – Johnny Morisette
16    The Sound Of Love 2:48
Written-By – Robin Gibb, Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb
17    The Man I Love 2:47
Written-By – George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
18    I Found A Love 3:24
Written-By – Robert West, Willie Schofield, Wilson Pickett
19    W.O.M.A.N. 3:14
Written-By – Abbye Mallory, Dorothy Hawkins, Etta James, Jean Mitchell
20    Tell It Like It Is 3:23
Written-By – George Davis, Lee Diamond
21    Never My Love 3:49
Written-By – Dick Addrisi, Don Addrisi
22    I Never Meant To Love Him 3:52
Written-By – Ronald Carson, Teri McFaddin