Monday, February 16, 2009

Beyoncé Knowles Sings The Etta James Classic "At Last"

cadillac-records

One of my favorite songs of all time is At Last by Etta James. Recently there was a film called Cadillac Records about Chess Records and its co-founder Leonard Chess. Etta James is played in the film by Beyoncé Knowles. The films also stars Adrien Brody and Jeffrey Wright. I never got a chance to see this film at the theater, but I do plan to see it when it hits DVD. I've posted the movie poster from the film. I'm also posting two video clips. The first one is the the video for Beyoncé's version of At Last. The second video is her performing the song at for the first dance between President Obama and the First Lady at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball. I hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think.




24 comments:

Nancy Sinatra Fan said...

Hello Keith. I didn't see this film either. I liked the clips you posted. She does do a beautiful rendition of this song. She's still no Etta James though.

Mondo said...

I didn't even know about this film, until seeing some ad's yesterday - where did it come from so suddenly . Looks right up my retro alley though...

Keith said...

Hey Phoebe. I'm not sure if we really got it around here or not. I will see it on DVD. Of course, she's no Etta James. I still like cover of the song. I'm glad you enjoyed those clips.

Keith said...

Hey Dave. Thanks for the comments. I think it's a smaller film so it's not got a lot of attention I suppose. I want to see it. It looks right up the alley of something I'd like.

dino martin peters said...

Hey pallie Keith, what an honor for this chick to do a gig for the new prez and lady one....reminds me that our Dino gave up the honor to sing for the Kennedy's 'cause of the disinvite of his pallie Sam

Robert M. Lindsey said...

I saw the trailer for this a while back, but haven't seen it in the theaters. Has it gone already? I got at the top of my Netflix queue today after seeing your post. At Last is such a great song.

Retrohound

Cate said...

Hey Keith!
Beyoncé does look good in that poster. I wanna see that film! Oh my, so many films I want to see...
My favourite Etts James record must be Etta James Rocks The House.
From the video clip you posted, I think I'll like the film. Beyoncé has a good voice, I quite like her. And Adrien Brody seems like he was born in another era! Have you read The Picture Of Dorian Gray? He's the way I imagined Lord Henry.
Beyoncé looks really happy in the second video - it must be an honour singing the first song at the inaugural ball! EVERYONE looks so happy, Michelle and Barack Obama too! Haha, no wonder ^^ It's just occurred to me, by looks only, Michelle Obama could play Etta James too. I think there is a similarity. I like Michelle Obama's dress ^^

Keith said...

Hey pallie DMP. Thanks for the comments. I do think it was quite a honor for her to be able to perform for our new President and First Lady. We have come a long way from when JFK didn't want Sammy around.

Keith said...

Hey Robert. Thanks for the comments. I don't think it was in theaters long. I don't even know how many theaters it was ever in. I guess it was a smaller film. I definitely want to see it on DVD.

Keith said...

Hey Cate. Thanks for the comments. Great hearing from you. I do really like Beyoncé in the poster. She does look wonderful. I really want to see this film too. There's so many movies I want to see. I hope you will like the film whenever you get the chance to see it. I'm hoping I'll enjoy it too. It looks like it would be good. I love that video.
Yes, I can definitely see Adrien Brody as Lord Henry. I love The Picture of Dorian Gray. Adrien does look like he's from another era.
I'm sure it was quite an honor for Beyoncé to perform for the President and First Lady. That would be such a great thing at any Inaugural Ball, but especially since this is such an important and historical one. It was the perfect song to be the first song.
Michelle Obama is very beautiful and stylish. She always looks great. I liked her pictures in Vogue.

Baybay Mama said...

I didn't see the film but I love the song.

Keith said...

Hey Dooder. Thanks for the comments. That's how I am.

Adam said...

I've read as many negative reviews for Cadillac Records as I have positive ones, but I think I'm going to take a gamble & import the Region 1 DVD.

The film hits UK cinemas this Friday, & by the time it reaches my local cinema (if at all), the Region 1 DVD will have already been released.

The reviews that slate the film criticise that it misconstrues some of the facts. Oliver Stone's film about The Doors has been slated by Doors' organist Ray Manzarek for the very same reason, but I still enjoy it. Also enjoyed Dreamgirls, so I have high hopes for Beyonce's performance in Cadillac Records.

Expect my own review as soon as I've seen it.

hy said...

very cool. your header pic is SO hot!
xo
mary jane

Paul Bishop said...

Hey, Keith ~

Just wanted to drop by and say what a great job your doing with the blog. There's something cool here all the time.

Cheers!

Bish

Keith said...

Hey Adam. Thanks for the comments. Yeah, I've heard mixed reaction on the film. I still plan to see it. Heck, I've had movies other people hated and I ended up loving. I've also had movies others loved that I detested. I'm going to give it a shot. I look forward to your thoughts on it when you see it. I hope it's good. I think a lot of movies like this play with the facts some. I've come to accept that. I understand that Hollywood doesn't always tell the true story, but twists what happened to make the movie they want. I really enjoyed Dreamgirls myself. I thought she did a great job in it. I'm eager to see her now as Etta. Cheers!

Keith said...

Hey Mary Jane. Thanks. I appreciate that. Feel free to stop by my blog anytime you like.

Keith said...

Hey Paul. Thanks. I appreciate that. Good to hear from you. I always enjoy what you do at your blog too. Cheers!

esther said...

her voice is so amazing. really really is. and i do love that song.
barack and michelle look so awkwardly cute in that dance. it would be hard to dance with the whole world watching...

Keith said...

Hey Esther. Thanks for the comments. Glad to see you enjoyed her rendition of this classic song. I could not imagine being in the spotlight like Barack and Michelle. I would be so nervous if everybody was watching us dance.

Mr. Suave said...

Great clips, I prefer the live version at the dance. It was a classy moment and I thought Beyonce did a nice job. Although, Etta James apparently didn't -- though she might just have been ticked that they went with the young up and comer and not her. Keep up the good work on the blog it's fun to check in on.

Keith said...

Hey there. Thanks for the comments. Glad you are enjoying what I do here at my blog. I prefer the live version too. I thought it was really fantastic. She did a wonderful job. Etta doesn't seem to be too happy. I guess she wish she would have been asked. It doesn't surprise me to hear her reaction, but it doesn't surprise me either that they would want to go with a more youthful entertainer. Cheers!

Melissa Hafting said...

I can't wait to see that movie and what a fitting song for the moment Obama danced with his wife. At last we have a change and a great president.

Keith said...

Hey Mel. Thanks for the comments. I definitely want to see this film. It was a beautiful moment to hear this song and watch their dance. It was the perfect tune for that historic moment.