Welcome to vol. 4 of my series
HOW SARAH
GOT HER GROOVE BACK!
NADV 1502031AM1 Sarah Collins. Picture : Adrian Murray (1502031AM1)
Sarah Collins, as you recall, is the mum of two in Yorkshire, England,
who underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor, bounced back to health
and became a sensation on YouTube in recent years with shot-at-home
videos in which she sings covers of Northern Soul favorites.
who underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor, bounced back to health
and became a sensation on YouTube in recent years with shot-at-home
videos in which she sings covers of Northern Soul favorites.
Sarah also appears at clubs
in England and other parts
of Europe fronting the
Northern Soul band
Keep The Faith.
So inspired am I by
Sarah's touching story
and her soulful singing
that I created this series
to showcase her covers
along with the originals.
in England and other parts
of Europe fronting the
Northern Soul band
Keep The Faith.
So inspired am I by
Sarah's touching story
and her soulful singing
that I created this series
to showcase her covers
along with the originals.
ETTA JAMES
In this special edition of How Sarah Got Her Groove Back, Sarah sings
covers of three songs made famous by Etta James, the bluesy R&B singer
who recorded dozens of R&B and pop hits in the 1950s, 60s and 70s.
In 1962 Etta James had a top 5 R&B hit with "Something's Got
A Hold On Me," a recording that combines elements of soul, blues
and gospel, with backing singers that sound like a church choir.
A Hold On Me," a recording that combines elements of soul, blues
and gospel, with backing singers that sound like a church choir.
"Something's Got A Hold On Me" - Etta James
(Mar./Apr. 1962, highest chart pos. #4 R&B/#37 Hot 100)
SARAH COLLINS
Now here is Sarah Collins with her capable cover
of Etta James' "Something's Got A Hold On Me."
"Something's Got A Hold On Me"
Etta James cover by Sarah Collins
ETTA JAMES
In 1988, Etta James released her 17th studio album Seven Year Itch.
The title of the funk/soul project refers to her comeback after going
some seven years without a recording contract. One of the songs
on Seven Year Itch is the smoldering ballad "Damn Your Eyes."
"Damn Your Eyes' - Etta James
(from 1989 album Seven Year Itch)
SARAH COLLINS
Now here's Sarah doing some sassy soul singing
on her version of Etta's "Damn Your Eyes."
"Damn Your Eyes"
Etta James cover by Sarah Collins
Etta James cover by Sarah Collins
ETTA JAMES
Today "Seven Day Fool" is one of Etta James' best known songs, especially popular
on the UK Northern Soul and Mod scenes. However at the time of its release as a
single in late 1961, "Seven Day Fool" drew very little attention. An R&B record,
"Seven Day Fool" failed to reach the black chart, and it barely made a dent in
the Hot 100, peaking at #95. "Seven Day Fool" performed better on the
Cash Box survey where it finished in the minor hit range at #75.
"Seven Day Fool" - Etta James
(Dec. 1961, highest chart pos. #95 Hot 100/#75 Cash Box)
SARAH COLLINS
Now once again, Sarah Collins channels the late,
great Etta James, doing "Seven Day Fool."
"Seven Day Fool"
Etta James cover by Sarah Collins
Etta James cover by Sarah Collins
EMMA EVELINE
I have two bonus tracks for you! First I am proud to present my most recent
discovery, Emma Eveline, a singer and actress in The Netherlands. Please watch
her brief one minute cover of Etta James' "Something’s Got A Hold On Me."
"Something’s Got A Hold On Me"
Etta James cover by Emma Eveline
(Apr. 2020)
ANDREI CERBU &
BEATRICE FLOREA
Last but not least, here is bonus song #2, another version of Etta James'
"Something's Got A Hold On Me" just released this week by the exciting
Romanian duo of guitarist Andrei Cerbu and zesty singer Beatrice Florea.
"Something's Got A Hold On Me"
Etta James cover by Andrei Cerbu & Beatrice Florea
(May 2020)
I hope you liked the Etta James
originals along with the killer kovers
by my good friend in England
Sarah Collins
... and I hope you enjoyed
meeting Dutch singer
meeting Dutch singer
Emma Eveline
and watching the latest performance
by the up-and-coming Romanian duo
by the up-and-coming Romanian duo
Andrei Cerbu & Beatrice Florea.
Have a Shady day!
Something's indeed got a hold on me and it's Ms. Collins' lovely voice! I'm blown away with how much she sounds like Etta and she captures the spirit of the pieces! I'm glad Ms. Collins recovered and is putting her second chance at life to good use. I always find these stories inspiring and hopeful. :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe since we are self-quarantining and will be for the summer, maybe we can all do something like this. Hey, singing would help pass the time and would make us all feel better! I'm not a great singer, but I think creating a channel of me singing could be fun.
How Jessica is getting her groove back, much like Sarah. Thanks for the inspiring posts, as always, dear friend.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteThanks for being the early bird for this post, dear friend!
I'm happy to learn that Sarah's singing's got a hold on you, and that you are inspired by the story of how she recovered from a serious health threat and got her groove back. Her survive-to-thrive saga is a lesson for us all.
Yessum, I think it's good therapy when we learn the words to songs we like and sing them, even without music playing. I often sing while I do household chores. It passes the time and it brightens my mood. In seminars they taught us that if you force yourself to smile when you're blue you automatically start to feel better. Singing has the same effect.
I'm glad you found inspiration here this morning and hope you liked the two bonus acts doing their versions of Etta James' song.
Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend JM!
Hi Shady,
DeleteWould writing the lyrics on scrapbook pages and singing them as you do it count? :) I know since I've been doing that, I've felt much better.
I'll be grooving to this post again tomorrow afternoon. I'm taking a half day at work, and will need an afternoon groove. Sarah's Etta covers will fit that bill!
Have a great Thankful Thursday, dear friend!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteYessum, I'd say what you are doing is the same as whistling as you work. It passes the time and improves the mood. I hope you will give the Etta covers by the other featured artists a try when you get your groove on tomorrow afternoon and let me know what you think of them.
Thanks again for coming to chat, dear friend JM!
Hi Shady,
DeleteSo I gave Emma and Andrei Cerbu & Beatrice Florea a listen yesterday as I was working on an account for work and my goodness, they kill it too! While Sarah Collins has the pipes and is amazing, these artists are amazing too. At last! People who can cover without missing a beat!
Something's got a hold on me to actually take a walk tomorrow and listen to these as I walk. It's been rainy the past two days and I look forward to a walk tomorrow. I'll listen to these gems to celebrate!
Have a great Saturday dear friend.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteThanks for returning to follow-up, dear friend! I'm glad you made it all the way through the post and listened to all of the featured songs. I'm delighted that you see and hear the greatness in Dutch songstress Emma Eveline and the Romanian dynamic duo of Andrei and Beatrice.
I hope the weather clears up so that you can take a nice walk in the sunshine tomorrow. Snap some pictures along the way. I'd like to see them.
Thanks again for coming back over, dear friend JM!
Hi Shady,
DeleteWell, the clover got a hold on me... and it turned crimson and clover, over and over. :)
I'll send you photos tomorrow. Have a great evening, dear friend.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteI can't imagine what you are referring to, dear friend. I hope you didn't get into some poison ivy and have a painful rash. I am eager to find out and see those pictures.
I wish you a safe and happy Memorial Day, dear friend JM!
Haha, nah, it was just white clover and no poison ivy. I was just thinking of that Tommy James song. :) Today was another beautiful day and did the same thing.
DeleteHappy Memorial Day, dear friend! Look forward to the post tomorrow.
I'm relieved! :) Thanks, dear friend. I hope to see you tomorrow!
DeleteIt's a mighty big task to try and fill Etta James's shoes.... but Sarah does a might fine job trying.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing more from this powerhouse singer, Shady.
Hi, Kelly!
DeleteHow's it going today, dear friend? Thanks for being on hand as I present another volume of Sarah Collins and her killer karaoke kovers!
I agree that Etta James is a hard act to follow, but soulful songstress Sarah laid down worthy renditions of these three Etta favorites. I hope you also appreciated the other two acts that covered Etta in this post.
Thanks again for coming over, dear friend Kelly, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Oh yes, Sarah does them well. It was great listening to both Etta and Sarah. Good music!
ReplyDeleteEmma did a great job also. Andrei and Beatrice did a different interpretation, but I enjoyed it also.
Hi, Arleen!
DeleteI'm excited to see you, dear friend! Thank you very much for coming by to attend the Etta James concert, featuring the recordings of the original great lady of song plus three different cover acts from across Europe. I'm glad you gave thumbs up to all three for their interpretations of Etta's material. I am especially pleased that young singers and musicians in Europe are paying tribute to great mid 20th century American artists like Etta.
I hope all is well up your way, dear friend Arleen. Thanks again for thinking about me and stopping by. Take good care of yourself and I hope to see you again soon!
She's dynamite! Way better than anyone on one of those shows like "The Voice."
ReplyDeleteHi, John!
DeleteWelcome back to Shady's Place, good buddy!
I discovered English sparrow Sarah Collins several years ago, and was won over by her spot-on covers of songs originally waxed in the mid 20th century by American R&B and soul artists. I'm delighted to know you appreciate her talent as much as I do. I agree that Sarah sings better and more soulfully than most of the warbling wannabes you see on the TV talent shows these days.
Thanks again for dropping in, good buddy John!
Wow, such powerful voices! I think my favorite is Damn Your Eyes. What an inspirational story. Thanks for sharing it, my friend. Have a spectacular rest of your week.
ReplyDeleteJanet’s Smiles
Hi, Janet!
DeleteI'm delighted to see you, dear friend. Thanks for coming!
I'm glad you were wowed by the powerful voices you heard in this edition of my series How Sarah Got Her Groove Back. Etta James' later career recording "Damn Your Eyes" was brand new to me until a few months ago when I was assembling this post. It's a favorite of mine, too.
I'm also pleased that you drew inspiration from Sarah Collins' true life story. Thanks again for joining the fun, dear friend Janet, and stay safe and well out there on the West Coast!
Huge Etta James fan here.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are staying safe and feeling fine.
parsnip
Hi, Gayle!
DeleteWelcome back to Shady's Place, dear friend!
I'm happy to learn that you are a big fan of Etta James. I hope you think these three cover acts did her songs justice.
I wish the same for you and your family, Gayle. Thank you for your visit and comment and enjoy the rest of your week!
She is quite the singer to cover all of those songs.
ReplyDeleteHi, Alex!
DeleteThanks for popping in, good buddy! It's amazing how many song performances Sarah Collins has uploaded on her YouTube channel. There are hundreds. While Sarah specializes in Northern Soul, she is versatile and occasionally performs other styles of music like jazz and blues.
Thanks again for dropping by, good buddy Alex!
Tom,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed listening this morning to more of Sarah Collins mewsic. She has a whole lot of soul for a white chick, doesn't she? Of these Etta James' covers I liked best the 2nd and 3rd picks. I also enjoyed the two bonus tracks of the cover artists. If this was a BoTB then I'd have to go with Emma Eveline. I like her vocals better and her video is so cute!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteI'm happy to see you, dear friend! Thanks a lot for coming by in the middle of your hiatus to experience more of Sarah Collins. I know you enjoyed her cover performances in previous volumes of the series.
You're right, Cathy. This white English thrush has lots of soul. If you close your eyes while she's singing, it isn't hard to imagine the sound coming from a black vocalist. I'm glad you enjoyed Sarah's versions of "Damn Your Eyes" and "Seven Day Fool" and that you also appreciated the bonus covers by Dutch singer Emma Eveline and the Romanian duo of Andrei & Beatrice. I especially like Andrei's blistering guitar solo in the middle of their performance.
Thanks again for making time for a visit, dear friend Cathy. Take good care of yourself and DH and I hope to see you again soon!
Tom,
DeleteIt's interesting that you should say if you close your eyes you'd to think you were listening to a black vocalist because that's precisely what I was thinking when I heard these songs. We're definitely on the same page! Have a fabulous Memorial Day. Stay safe and be well, my friend!
Thank you, Cathy! It's always a pleasure to see you, dear friend. I hope DH enjoys the burgers you prepared for today's meal. :)
DeleteTake care, dear friend. I hope to see you again soon!
Lovely post again as always, friend Shady. Thank you:)Much love, c.
ReplyDeleteHi, cat!
DeleteThanks for coming down from Alberta, dear friend! I hope the weather is improving up your way along with the health and the moods of the citizens.
I'm glad you liked the tribute to Etta James and artists who cover her songs. Stay safe and well and give TT some catnip for me.
LUBBINS, dear friend cat!
Brava to Sarah! She has a terrific voice to do covers for Etta's songs. I liked Damn Your Eyes the best. Really great sound! Enjoy your week.
ReplyDeleteHi, Sherry!
DeleteThanks for coming to see and hear these artists covering Etta James, dear friend!
That's three imaginary votes for "Damn Your Eyes" so far - yours, Janet's and Cathy's. I'm glad you left here entertained.
Take good care of yourself and come again, dear friend Sherry!
Hi Shady! Who better to follow than Etta James! Well, I don't know all of her work, but what I do know, I adore! I have watched the movie "Cadillac Records" with Adrien Brody 3 or 4 times, and just love Beyonce in the roll of Etta James. I know some of her work, but didn't know "Damn Your Eyes" until today! OMGoodness, it is great. After I heard both versions (Etta and Sarah), I'm hooked. It is as you say, Shady...smooth and smoldering. And, Sarah truly brought it to the table. This song is a hard act to follow, and Sarah's voice fit right in with the mood.
ReplyDeleteI have always liked "Something's Got a Hold on Me", and Sarah did us proud on this one too. I especially like Andrei and Beatrice's cover of this one. She is so cute, and added a modern pop mood to the song. The guitar playing was very well done-great talent!
I think Sarah went over the top with "Seven Day Fool". I don't recall this song, but for me, Sarah owns it. She made me believe it, and she also added a modern pop twist to the song.
This is a really cool post Shady! It is so admirable of the younger greats to showcase one of THE greats. My favorite song in the movie was "I'd Rather Go Blind". Not many songs get to me, but that one actually brings tears to my eyes. My favorite song on this post is "Damn Your Eyes".
You did a great job putting this together, Shady! I apologize for being tardy, and hope to catch your posts in a more timely manner. My Scootie had his Science final this afternoon, and scored and 80%. YAY! We have one more final on Tuesday, after Memorial Day, and hopefully we're done!
Have a safe Memorial Day Weekend, Shady! ♫
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteThanks a lot for coming by, dear friend! I'm thrilled that you could be here this week and experience the songs of Etta James and three other artists (acts) that covered her material.
Your imaginary vote makes FOUR now for "Damn Your Eyes!" I agree it's a sizzler of a song and both Etta and Sarah deliver the goods. I'm especially excited that you singled out the young Romanians for their updated, rock-edged approach to "Something's Got a Hold on Me." My eyes popped during Andrei's blistering guitar solo in the middle! If you have a couple extra minutes, follow the link I provide below to my July 2019 blogiversary post. You will perhaps remember Andrei and Beatrice in that post doing a Bryan Adams cover that's pure 100% sensational - my favorite performance by the up-and-coming duo to date:
https://tctgyb.blogspot.com/2019/07/today-in-history-one-small-step-for-man.html
I am delighted that readers keep responding so favorably to English sparrow Sarah Collins and her shot-at-home Northern Soul covers. This is the 4th installment of the series and I have five planned. Imagine what it's like to experience Sarah on stage and all gussied up as frontwoman of her band.
Etta James' song lyrics and vocal performances grab you by the gut and by the soul. She is missed.
Wow, it seems Scootie did pretty doggone well on his Science exam today. That's great news! I hope he does equally well on his last final.
Program note, dear friend: This coming Tuesday is another very important date on the Shady Dell calendar and I will be running another special tribute post. I would be grateful if you could come over and take a look at it sometime next week. Until then have a safe and healthy weekend, dear friend Suzanne, and thanks again for making time for a visit and for your extraordinary comment!
Hi Shady! So sorry to be so late! I've always enjoyed Sarah Collins when you've featured her songs. Her inspiring story always gives me chills. She has embraced life hasn't she? She hasn't let anything stop her. So glad to see she's still doing incredible things with her voice. She really knocked it out of the park with her covers of Etta James' songs. The new ones featured today did pretty good too. I enjoyed Emma Eveline and liked her throwback to the 50's/60's outfit! I hope you have a wonderful weekend. We're channeling Florida weather this weekend with temps in the 80's and some humidity to boot! No parades this year and a quiet day at the Pines tomorrow. Take care and be safe!
ReplyDeleteOH, a quick update...Mom is home finally but had a fall on Monday night while still in the nursing facility. She broke her neck and is in a brace. We finally said enough is enough and I'm glad I was out there to help get things ready for her coming home since she came there from the hospital. Sis is doing pretty good but will have some challenges coming up. Hopefully all will get back to some "new normal" soon. Bye!
Hi, YaYa!
DeleteThank you very much for paying me a visit in the midst of all that turmoil, dear friend! I couldn't be more sad and sorry knowing that your dear mother fell again and broke her neck. I totally agree - enough already! Life has been throwing one problem after another at your wonderful family and it's just not fair. I hope you mother's spill and resulting injury aren't as bad as they sound. I'm guessing that if she was allowed to leave the nursing facility and go home, then she is doing alright under the circumstances. Surely it is a blessing that she will now be around family members again in familiar surroundings. Being home will help safeguard her from the virus. I will continue to pray for her and for sister Midge. Let us hope for better days ahead!
I'm glad you enjoyed the musical distraction provided by my latest Sarah Collins post. I remember you liking her singing in previous volumes of the series. I am also pleased that you enjoyed the two bonus songs along with the European artists who performed them.
Thanks again for your kind visit and updates on your mom and sis. Please stay safe and well. I am rooting for you and your family, dear friend YaYa!
There's a kind of Walter Mitty aspect to this suburban blonde reinventing herself--solely through her voice--as a down-and-dirty blues singer. Except Mitty never came close to realizing his fantasies, whereas Sarah, to quote a non-blues song, breaks on through to the other side. She's fabulous.
ReplyDeleteHi, Kirk!
DeleteWelcome back, good buddy! I'm excited to see you and hope you're doing well these days and weeks.
I like your characterization of Sarah Collins, Kirk. The English thrush seems to channel the spirits of departed American soul and R&B singers and bring them back to life in these homemade performances. Sarah's been at it for years now and there are hundreds of great covers on her channel.
Now you have me flashing back to Jerry Lewis as The Nutty Professor who drinks his secret potion and transforms into the swaggering lounge singer Buddy Love. :)
I'm happy that you have your tech problems worked out, Kirk. Thanks again for dropping in. Have a nice Memorial Day, good buddy. I hope to see you again soon!
Hello and salutations to you! I enjoyed listening to all of these. That lady, Sarah, really can sing! She deserves to be more recognized as she has a great voice. The one song...On a Monday, was covered by a Canadian, Julie..something. She could really belt it out. Etta James was a true original but I really enjoyed everything except the last one...too frenetic for me:)
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
DeleteThanks for doubling up and reporting in, dear friend!
I'm glad you enjoyed the cool and capable covers of Etta James' songs performed here by Sarah Collins and the version of "Something's..." uploaded to YouTube by Dutch artist Emma Eveline. I'll have to check out other versions of "Seven Day Fool" and see if I can find your Canadian singer Julie.
Thanks again for coming, dear friend BB!
It's Jully Black and here is the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzhlk7TwWHQ
DeleteWow, Birgit - I'm glad I found this comment of yours awaiting my approval. I surely do approve. Jully Black, "Canada's Queen of R&B" and voted one of The 25 Greatest Canadian Singers Ever, certainly deserves that honor. I loved her energetic rendition of "Seven Day Fool." It has a great mix of retro and modern elements and stands as a classic in its own right.
DeleteThanks so much for the attention to my blog, BB. I appreciate it!