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Call My Name
R&B / Soul · 1966

Call My Name

Etta James

Brassy, mid-60s Chicago soul that captures Etta James transitioning from pop-jazz standards to the gritty, belt-it-out R&B that defined her legacy.

1966 · Chess

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This is the sound of a woman finding her true power. Call My Name moves away from the lush, string-heavy arrangements of her early career and leans into the punchy, horn-driven energy of the Chess Records house sound. It is an album that feels both sophisticated and lived-in, like a velvet dress with a few whiskey stains. The production is thick with analog warmth, providing a sturdy foundation for Etta to explore the full range of her instrument, from a vulnerable whisper to a house-shaking roar.

Moments Worth Listening For
the explosive opening horn blast on I'm So Glad that sets a high-stakes emotional tone
the way Etta's voice cracks with genuine grit during the bridge of the title track
the syncopated drum fill that bridges the verse and chorus in 136th Street
Reviews
AllMusic
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Where This Album DepartsEach spoke is a trait. The orange shape shows where this album pulls away from — or holds to — the rest of the artist’s catalogue. Tap for more.

How does Call My Name sound next to the rest of Etta James's catalogue?

Midnight+1.9σ

Midnight saturates this record notably more than the artist's norm.

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