Women In Blues

'I'd Rather Go Blind' is a blues song written by Ellington Jordan and co-credited to Billy Foster and Etta James. It was first recorded by Etta James in 1967 and has subsequently become regarded as a blues and soul classic. It has since been recorded by a wide variety of artists, including Marcia Ball, Barbara Lynn, Christine McVie, Beth Hart and Susan Tedeshi.

Here Yolanda is fronting a high quality, sophisticated, expressive band with the rich, authentic sound of great jazz, blues and soul music both past and present.

Yolanda Ingley II - Vocalist
Steve Dagg - Saxophone


REVIEW BY PBS RADIO (106.7FM Melbourne):

**** Track 5 - "I'd Rather Go Blind"
Written by Etta James but credit is given to Ellington Jordan and Billy Foster.

"Truly one of the most iconic songs to emerge from the last century.

Etta James had been "re-discovered" by the general public with this tear jerker, which was a masterpiece of writing, and it appeared in numerous movies and television commercials .... understandably so, as it is the quintessential love song.

"But along the way there were many a singer who just should not have sung or attempted to sing the song ..... It will forever be Etta's baby and that is a mountain you just don't want to climb.

"But then occasionally a take on the song comes along and you stop to take a deep breath and say 'oh, my goodness, wow !' This is one of those rare special moments.

"This is simple, glorious and subtle. Sung perfectly with the prerequisite restraint and not over sung. That type of control separates a true singer from one who just doesn't understand the song. The vocals here are all you ask for and more, as they convey all of the emotion and pathos from each and every lyric - tearing at your heartstrings throughout.

"The orchestration is absolutely spot on and one couldn't ask for a better band to interpret this song any better than this. Their placement throughout the song shows a wonderful refrain and a complete control allowing the performance to be all about the vocals and the lyrics. This is the mark of a brilliant band.

"Such an offering of this quality doesn't come around all that often so listen carefully and savour the experience".

~ Peter Merrett, PBS (106.7FM Melbourne), Malt Shop Hop