	06 September 2010
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30 January 2008

BEYONCÉ - LEADING LADY AGAIN

Beyoncé to play Etta James in new movie

Filming in New Jersey and Mississippi is due to start later this year on a movie charting the rise of one of America's leading ladies of blues and soul – the inimitable Etta James.

Following the runaway success of last years 'Dreamgirls', Beyoncé has been chosen to portray the diva. Set in the 1950s the film will depict the early years of Ms James career and the emergence of the legendary Chicago label Chess Records.

Joining Beyoncé on the cast list are Adrien Brody who replaces Matt Dillon (unable to commit to filming due to scheduling conflicts) in the roll of Leonard Chess, founder of Chess Records and arguably one of the most influential figures in the development and progression of electric blues.

Etta James who has this week celebrated her 70th birthday has been performing for the past 54 years and is still going strong. Etta also remains a safe bet for the record companies, with four of her eight albums released since 2000 reaching number one in the US blues chart. And with the movie release we can probably expect to see a resurgence of interest leading to increased sales of Ms James' back catalogue.

But don't wait until then – if unlike myself you still posses your own hair and teeth, and have never heard Etta then check out her 1968 album 'Tell Mama', which has the original version of 'I’d Rather Go Blind'. From a time when R&B stood for rhythm and blues as opposed to riches and bling, this is a rare treat – but don’t take my word for it give it a listen.

MCB

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