Etta James – At Last!

Purchased this to replace my well used copy. I was initially impressed by the SQ until I noticed an intrusive low frequency woosh sound intermittently throughout the tracks. Prefer the crackel and pop from my old copy .It went back to the record shop.

People complaining. It’s an 18 dollar pressing. It sounds fine. Too many fake pompous so-called (audiophiles). Half these people don’t have the right system, then want to complain about the pressing

I like this pressing and it is a great album.

This pressing reproduces - with some attenuation - microphone plosives and pops that were part of a few of the original Chicago recording sessions. They're not system-destroying but rather a humorous snapshot of a time over sixty years ago when a recording engineer failed to keep Ms. James off the unprotected mic. They're more audible because the bottom end seems more enhanced than in other versions I have of these recordings, so other reviews are onto an issue. Generally clean, mostly noiseless vinyl.

Bought this today. Very disappointed in the sound. There is a definite bass issue. Another reviewer mentioned that it sounds like someone blowing on a hot mic and I suppose this is one way to describe it. Low end popping, not just on plosives. The only way I could offset the issue was to engage the EQ and remove ALL bass frequencies. Then, of course, the record sounded too tinny. I'm not expert enough to say whether it's an issue with the mastering or the pressing process, but whatever it is, it sucks and I will be returning it tomorrow.

This was one of the first vinyl records I purchased when I restarted my collection. It is an excellent record. That being said, I recently had sinus surgery to deal with pressure in my ears and have since been able to hear things I previously was unable to and have noticed on repeated listenings that there are a number of moments where you can hear odd bass as if someone was blowing on a hot mic. Is this just this copy or something on the master?

I also must agree! Maybe it's the Direct Metal Mastering, but this is a great pressing, super quiet and hardly a pop or click to be heard. Pretty good recording for 1960. While the backing orchestra has that classic late 50's early 60's limited range, timbre, and ambiance which is typical of the era, Etta's voice is really well captured on most tracks, nicely revealing her power, range, and dynamics. A great talent brought out on a very enjoyable album!

Gotta agree with what everyone else is saying about this pressing—it sounds flawless. Got mine second-hand and there isn’t a single click, pop, or skip. Great album!

Maybe it’s the half bottle of whiskey, or maybe it’s just near impossible to make Etta sound bad. Dynamic & dynamite; Ms. James at her absolute best. Buy it!

A great value at $18. Pressing sounds clean.
I've got a few WaxTimes and some of them are a real disaster. This one looks beautiful and despite the fact it's a digital source, obviously, it sounds very good. Not only that but the recording is from 1960, so you're not getting an audiophile product anyway.

Worth it for the money.