At Last
"At Last" | ||||
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Vinyl record | ||||
Single by Etta James | ||||
from the album At Last! | ||||
B-side | "I Just Want to Make Love to You" | |||
Released | November 15, 1960 | |||
Format | 45 rpm | |||
Recorded | 1960 | |||
Genre | Soul blues, traditional pop | |||
Length | 2:57 | |||
Label | Argo | |||
Writer(s) | Mack Gordon, Harry Warren | |||
Producer(s) | Phil Chess, Leonard Chess | |||
Etta James singles chronology | ||||
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"At Last" is a 1941 song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the musical film Orchestra Wives, starring George Montgomery and Ann Rutherford. It was performed in the film and on record by Glenn Miller and his orchestra, with vocals by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday. Unreleased recordings of the song, however, had been made in 1941 by Glenn Miller for possible inclusion in the film Sun Valley Serenade. An orchestral version of the song without lyrics first appeared in that movie in 1941. A new version was recorded by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra in Chicago on May 20, 1942, and released by RCA Victor Records as a 78 single, catalogue number 27934-B, backed with the A side "(I've Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo". The song reached number 9 on the Billboard pop charts in 1942, staying on the charts for nine weeks, and later became a standard. In 1960, it was covered by blues singer Etta James in an arrangement by Riley Hampton that improvised on Warren's melody. James' version was the title track in the same-named album At Last! and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.[1]
Original and cover versions
Former Glenn Miller Orchestra trumpeter Ray Anthony had the highest charting recording of the song in the U.S. on the pop charts in 1952, peaking at no. 2 on the Billboard pop singles chart and no. 20 on the Cashbox chart.[2]
The song became Etta James' signature song and was the third in a string of successful songs from her Chess Records debut album At Last!.[3] In April 1961, it became her second number 2 R&B hit and crossed over to pop radio, reaching number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite its modest pop chart standing, the song is well-known and is still played regularly on oldies radio stations. The James version reached the top 40 in Cashbox and Music Vendor.
In the decades since its release it has been covered by many artists. The Etta James version, with its passionate vocal and sweeping orchestration, is often chosen for weddings and wedding receptions.[4] Percy Faith charted the medley of "At Last" and "Angel Face", which reached #91 in 1961 in the US Music Vendor Top 100.
A cover by Gene Watson peaked at number 61 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in 1991.[5]
Canadian singer Liberty Silver recorded one of the most soulful renditions of the song ever heard in 2005.
Wartime release
The 1942 RCA Victor studio recording of "At Last" by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra featuring Ray Eberle on vocals was released as a V-Disc or Victory Disc by the U.S. War Department during World War II in October, 1943 as No. 12A. V-Discs were sent to American soldiers and military personnel overseas.
Cultural references
The Etta James recording appears on the soundtracks of such films as Rain Man, Pleasantville, and American Pie, and such television series as Northern Exposure, Criminal Minds, The Simpsons, and Chuck.[6] It has also been used in television commercials for such products as Jaguar automobiles, Hoover vacuum cleaners, and State Farm insurance. It was also used on a trailer for the video game FIFA 16.
At the first of many inaugural balls for President Barack Obama on January 20, 2009, Beyoncé Knowles performed "At Last" live for the president's and first lady's first dance,[7] reprising her Grammy-winning performance of the song in the 2008 film Cadillac Records. Two weeks later, Etta James told an audience at a concert in Seattle that she was offended that Beyoncé performed "my song" for the president, despite the fact that it was written twenty years before she recorded it.[8]
Charts
Chart (1961) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard Hot 100[9] | 47 |
US Cash Box Top 100[10] | 30 |
US Billboard Hot R&B Sides[11] | 2 |
Chart (2011) | Peak position |
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[12] | 69 |
Chart (2012) | Peak position |
Australia (ARIA)[13] | 72 |
Ireland (IRMA)[14] | 33 |
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[15] | 39 |
Certifications
Region | Certification |
---|---|
Italy (FIMI)[16] | Gold |
Celine Dion version
"At Last" | ||||
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Single by Celine Dion | ||||
from the album A New Day Has Come | ||||
Released | December 9, 2002 | |||
Format | Promotional recording | |||
Recorded | Studio Piccolo, Bananaboat Studios | |||
Genre | Pop, soul | |||
Length | 4:16 | |||
Label | Columbia, Epic | |||
Writer(s) | Mack Gordon, Harry Warren | |||
Producer(s) | Humberto Gatica, Guy Roche | |||
Celine Dion singles chronology | ||||
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"At Last" was covered by Celine Dion and included on her sixth English-language album A New Day Has Come (2002). Her version was produced by Humberto Gatica and Guy Roche, and released as a promotional single in the United States on December 9, 2002. However, there was no music video made for the song. It was also the last single released from the album. "At Last" peaked at number 16 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks. A live version of this song was included on the A New Day... Live in Las Vegas album in 2004, as Dion performed it for four years during her A New Day... show in Las Vegas. She also performed the song at "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in 2002, at the "Fiorello Show" in 2002 in Italy along with "A New Day Has Come", "My Heart Will Go On" and "Grande, Grande, Grande" sung with Fiorello, at the Domenica in TV program in Italy along with "A New Day Has Come", at the A New Day Has Come CBS TV special at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles in 2002 along with "A New Day Has Come", "Have You Ever Been In Love", "Goodbye's (The Saddest Word)", "When the Wrong One Loves You Right" sung with the Destiny's Child, "My Heart Will Go On", "Beauty and the Beast" sung with Brian McKnight, "Because You Loved Me" and "Nature Boy".
Background and composition
While commenting about the song, Dion revealed, "I can see beginning my show and looking into everyone's eyes and singing this song. This is my hello."[17]
The version of the song, written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren, was produced by Humberto Gatica and Guy Roche and it is featured on Dion's sixth English-language album A New Day Has Come (2002). The song is a soul soliloquy where Dion, accompanied by the delicate chords of a violin, sings about the joy of love found "at last".[18]
Critical reception
The song was critically acclaimed. Frédéric Garat of RFI wrote that the song is "a lovely exercise which reveals the layer of blues hiding underneath the slightly prim and proper petticoats of the 'international star'."[18] Barnes & Noble's Editorial review commented, "Her solid rendition of Etta James's 'At Last' should satisfy her lovelorn fans."[19] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine called it "a soulful rendition."[20] Chuck Taylor of Billboard said that this "standard" serves her grown-up fans. However, Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone commented that "she doesn't have the pipes for material defined by Etta James."[21] Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly agreed, calling it a "pallid cover."[22]
Charts
Chart (2002–03) | Peak position |
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US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[23] | 16 |
Beyoncé version
"At Last" | ||||
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Single by Beyoncé | ||||
from the album Cadillac Records | ||||
Released | November 3, 2008 | |||
Format | Music download | |||
Genre | Soul blues | |||
Length | 2:58 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Beyoncé singles chronology | ||||
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"At Last" was also covered by Beyoncé Knowles and included on the soundtrack album of the film, Cadillac Records.[24] It was released on the soundtrack album on December 2, 2008 through Columbia Records.[24] In the film, Knowles portrays Etta James. Beyoncé won critical acclaim for portraying James in "Cadillac Records," and has performed "At Last" several times since the movie was released, including in front of James.[25] She told MTV News: "[Etta James is] one of my heroes, and I always loved her voice, but now knowing what she's been through, she's one of my heroes. I'm not sure if she thought [I would be good] as her. I'm very, very nervous. [...] I actually spoke with her and she told me, 'I loved you from the first time you sung.'"[26] Knowles later told Billboard: "I realized that Etta James was so unapologetic, bold and strong that playing her was a big risk for me. It gave me the confidence and the push to challenge myself a little more with my music."[24]
Critical reception
John Kehe of The Christian Science Monitor wrote: "No one can channel Etta – she's a singular talent – but Beyoncé does it her own way and conjurs enough emotion and grit to make it work in the context of the movie."[27] A. O. Scott of The New York Times added that Knowles' interpretation of "At Last" was "downright revelatory" and described Knowles as "a real soul diva of the old school."[28] A writer of Entertainment Weekly wrote that "when she belts out 'At Last,' it all makes sense."[29]
By contrast, Thom Jurek of Allmusic wrote that on "At Last", "Knowles possesses little of the legendary singer's power or edgy finesse. She's entirely too polished and restrained. Her phrasing doesn't come close in terms of inventiveness or inspiration, and her emotional conviction is lacking, to say the least."[30] This was somehow echoed by Robert Fontenot of About.com who thought that Knowles "sings Etta like a diva -- technically proficient, but overemoted and lacking every bit of Etta's sly subtext and hard-won earthiness. Beyoncé knows how to sing the blues, in other words; she just doesn't know how to have them."[31] Margeaux Watson of Entertainment Weekly also gave a mixed review for the song, writing, "The only major drawback to her performance is that she lacks the pained vocal chops to convincingly pull off James' songs or make them her own... Each time she covers classics like 'At Last' and 'Trust In Me,' you hear Beyonce, not Etta."[32] Knowles' version of "At Last" won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance at the 52nd Grammy Awards.[33] On The Village Voice' 2008 year-end Pazz & Jop singles list, Knowles' version of "At Last" was ranked at number 443.[34]
Live performances
"At Last" was performed live for the first time by Knowles during the 2008 Fashion Rocks on September 5, 2008 as a tribute to James.[4][35] She had a blonde hairstyle to make her look like the singer. Lizzie Smith of the Daily Mail wrote that she had a "stunning performance".[36] The live version of the song at the show was later released in 2008.[37] Knowles performed the song live at Barack Obama's first dance with his wife Michelle during the Neighborhood Ball on the night of his inauguration as President of the United States. She told Entertainment Tonight: "To sing 'At Last' while they have their first dance is a dream come true. I could not be more honored and excited that they have asked me to be part of this moment in history."[38] Jen Chaney of The Washington Post wrote, "...she sang it, tearfully, another high-profile time. On that night, the song’s expression of a romantic promise fulfilled clearly spoke to the hope that political promises would be fulfilled, not to mention the notion that, at last, an African-American had assumed this nation's highest honor."[4] Etta James, who was not happy at all, remarked to the audience at a concert from the stage of Seattle's Paramount Theatre a week later:
"You guys know your president, right? You know the one with the big ears? Wait a minute, he ain't my president. He might be yours; he ain't my president. But I tell you that woman he had singing for him, singing my song — she's going to get her ass whupped."[39][40]
A week later, she continued savaging Knowles' performance by adding:
"The great Beyoncé. Like I said, she ain't mine. [...] I can't stand Beyoncé. She has no business up there, singing up there on a big ol' president day, gonna be singing my song that I've been singing forever."[40]
However, she later told the New York Daily News she meant no harm when poked fun at the president and she ripped Knowles for her performance of "At Last" during the inauguration; James acknowledged being miffed she was not invited to perform her signature song for Obama's first dance with his wife on inauguration night.[41] The event was telecast live on multiple broadcast and cable television networks. At each of the balls, the Obamas' dance song remained "At Last".
"At Last" was included in the set list of Knowles' third concert tour I Am... World Tour (2009-2010). It was performed in the penultimate section of the concert when Knowles appeared on stage wearing a long gold sparkly gown with lights at her from all around the arena. During the performance, a footage of her singing the song at Obama's inauguration, video images of civil rights era footage and snippets from her performance of the song in the movie, Cadillac Records (2008) were shown on the screens behind here.[42][43][44][45] A writer of South Florida Times praised the video montage saying that it was "beautifully" edited and added that Knowles made a "perfect melding" of past and present with the performance of the song.[43] Rolling Stone's Caryn Ganz commented that the performance of the song showed a "torchy... display of vocal gymnastics".[44] Jay Lustig of New Jersey On-Line commented that the performances of "At Last" were "as riveting as anything that had come before" during the concert and noted that "Few pop or R&B divas could be as compelling with all the visual hoopla stripped away."[46] Barbara Ellen of The Observer wrote that there was an interesting segment during the performance of "At Last" on the tour[47] and Tamara Hardingham-Gill of the Daily Mail wrote that her rendition of the song proved an emotional moment.[48] Alice Jones of The Independent wrote that the live rendition of the song was one of the "big-hitters" during the night.[49] A writer of Evening Chronicle wrote that he was "blown away" by the performance[50] while Mike Ross of the website Jam! added that Knowles proved she could sing traditional R&B if she wanted with the cover of "At Last".[51] Jay Hanna of The Sunday Times described the performance of the song as truly inspired with Knowles simply standing and delivering the song.[52] Jim Farber of the Daily News gave a mixed performance for the song, noting that "Her run at 'At Last' still lacks the terrific sense of relief Etta James manages effortlessly."[53]
Knowles also performed "At Last" live at the 2011 Glastonbury Festival on June 26, 2011.[54] During the ITV special A Night With Beyoncé which aired on December 4, 2011 in the United Kingdom, Knowles performed "At Last" to a selected crowd of fans.[55] During The Sound of Change Live charity concert held at Twickenham Stadium in London on June 1, 2013, Knowles also performed "At Last".[56] Alice Vincent of The Daily Telegraph noted that the cover reflected the event's purpose and proved Knowles can "own a big ballad".[57]
Chart performance
On the Billboard Jazz Songs chart, the song peaked at number 9 becoming Knowles' only song to appear on that chart.[58] For the week ending December 17, 2011, Knowles' version of "At Last" peaked at number 37 on the UK R&B Chart.[59]
Format and track listing
- Digital download[37]
- "At Last" (Live from Fashion Rocks) – 2:53
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Release history
Country | Date | Format | Label |
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United States[37][62][63] | November 3, 2008 | Smooth jazz radio | Music World, Columbia |
November 18, 2008 | Digital download | ||
October 27, 2009 | Urban contemporary radio | ||
References
- ↑ "Grammy Hall of Fame Database". Replay.waybackmachine.org. 2009-04-20. Archived from the original on April 20, 2009. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
- ↑ Song artist 738 - Ray Anthony.tsort.org.
- ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Etta-James-At-Last/release/1355456
- 1 2 3 Chaney, Jen (January 20, 2012). "Etta James, Beyonce and the ‘At Last' legacy". The Washington Post.
- ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Hot Country Songs 1944–2012. Record Research, Inc. p. 360. ISBN 978-0-89820-203-8.
- ↑
- ↑ Goldman, Russell; Fisher, Luchina (January 20, 2009). "At Last! Obama Dances Into History at 10 Balls". ABC News. Archived from the original on January 18, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/feb/06/beyonce-etta-james-barack-obama
- 1 2 "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
- ↑ http://50.6.195.142/archives/60s_files/19610311.html
- 1 2 "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
- ↑ http://www.polyhex.com
- ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Etta James – At Last". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ↑ "Chart Track: Week 4, 2012". Irish Singles Chart.
- ↑ "Archive Chart: 2012-01-28" UK Singles Chart.
- ↑ "Italian single certifications – Etta James – At Last" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 9 January 2015. Select Online in the field Sezione. Enter Etta James in the field Filtra. The certification will load automatically
- ↑ "Celine Dion Music: A New Day Has Come". Celine Dion Web. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
- 1 2 Garat, Frédéric (April 3, 2002). "RFI Musique - - Celine Dion has come back". RFI (France). Retrieved August 22, 2012.
- ↑ "Barnes & Noble | A New Day Has Come by Sony, Celine Dion". Barnes & Noble. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
- ↑ Cinquemani, Sal (March 16, 2002). "Celine Dion: A New Day Has Come | Music Review | Slant Magazine". Slant Magazine. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
- ↑ Sheffield, Rob (April 10, 2002). "Celine Dion: A New Day Has Come : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 23, 2006. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
- ↑ Tucker, Ken (March 25, 2002). "A New Day Has Come (2002)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
- ↑ "Celine Dion – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Celine Dion. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
- 1 2 3 "Beyonce Belts It Out On 'Cadillac' Soundtrack". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. December 1, 2008. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
- ↑ Kaufman, Gil (2009-02-05). "Beyonce Slammed By Etta James For Singing 'At Last' At Inaugural Ball - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
- ↑ Adler, Shawn (2008-11-25). "Beyonce, Etta James And 'Cadillac Records' Stars Come Out For Movie's Premiere - MTV Movie News". MTV. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
- ↑ John Kehe (December 26, 2008). "CD review: Cadillac Records (Music from the motion picture)". The Christian Science Monitor. Christian Science Publishing Society. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
- ↑ A. O. Scott (December 5, 2008). "Cadillac Records (2008)". The New York Times (Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr.). Retrieved March 27, 2011.
- ↑ "Beyonce & Co. in 'Cadillac Records'". Entertainment Weekly (Time Inc). March 6, 2009. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
- ↑ Thom Jurek (December 2, 2008). "Cadillac Records". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
- ↑ Robert Fontenot. "Various Artists: Cadillac Records Original Movie Soundtrack". About.com The New York Times Company. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
- ↑ Watson, Margeaux (November 25, 2011). "Beyonce in 'Cadillac Records': the EW First Look". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
- ↑ "Beyonce is queen of Grammy Awards". British Broadcasting Corporation. February 1, 2010. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
- ↑ "New York Pazz and Jop Singles - 2008". The Village Voice. Village Voice Media. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
- ↑ Miller, Korin (September 7, 2008). "Beyonce Knowles flashes wedding ring at Fashion Rocks". Daily News. Daily News, L.P. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
- ↑ Smith, Lizzie (September 6, 2008). "Wigging out: Beyonce dons old lady hairpiece for golden Fashion Rocks performance". Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
- 1 2 3 "At Last: Beyonce Knowles". Amazon.com. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
- ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (January 16, 2009). "Beyonce's Inaugural Song Choice: An Expert Weighs In". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
- ↑ Melago, Carrie (2009-02-04). "Etta James takes shots at Beyoncé and President Obama". New York: Nydailynews.com. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
- 1 2 Sean Michaels (February 6, 2009). "Etta James: I'm gonna whup Beyoncé's ass". London: Guardian. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
- ↑ Melago, Carrie (2009-02-05). "Etta James truly miffed about Obama snub, but was kidding about disliking Beyonce". New York: Nydailynews.com. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
- ↑ Ratliff, Ben (June 22, 2009). "Flash, Concepts and, Yes, Songs". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved June 26, 2013.
- 1 2 Harris, Renee Michelle (July 3, 2009). "Beyoncé Wows Crowd at BankAtlantic Center". South Florida Times. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
- 1 2 Ganz, Caryn (June 22, 2009). "Beyonce Brings Hits, Jay-Z to "I Am..." Tour opener in New York". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
- ↑ "Beyonce / New York (Madison Square Garden)". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. June 21, 2009. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
- ↑ Lustig, Jay (June 22, 2009). "Beyonce captivates on a tour full of theatrics". New Jersey On-Line. Advance Internet. Archived from the original on June 26, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
- ↑ Ellen, Barbara (May 24, 2009). "She's a woman of two halves". The Observer. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
- ↑ Hardingham-Gill, Tamara (November 19, 2009). "Unstoppable Beyonce brings Jay Z and Kanye West along for mindblowing free concert". Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
- ↑ Jones, Alice (May 27, 2009). "Beyoncé, 02 Arena, London:Diva who answers the call of booty". The Independent (Independent Print Limited). Retrieved May 23, 2009.
- ↑ "Review: Beyonce at Newcastle Metro Radio Arena". Evening Chronicle (Trinity Mirror). May 23, 2009. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
- ↑ Ross, Mike (March 26, 2009). "Rexall Place, Edmonton". Jam!. Sun Media. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
- ↑ Hanna, Jay (September 25, 2009). "Beyonce Knowles wows Perth fans at Burswood concert". The Sunday Times. News Limited. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
- ↑ Farber, Jim (June 22, 2009). "Beyoncé shows 'Fierce' and softer sides in tour kickoff at the Garden". Daily News. Daily News, L.P. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
- ↑ "Beyonce covers Kings Of Leon and Prince at Glastonbury". NME (IPC Media (Time Inc.)). June 27, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
- ↑ Beyoncé Knowles (December 4, 2011). A Night With Beyoncé (video ITV1). The Fountain Studios, London, United Kingdom: Victory Television Network in co-production with Sony Music Entertainment. Event occurs at 9pm.
- ↑ Sutherland, Mark (June 1, 2013). "Beyonce Leads a Charge of Powerful Women at Sound of Change". Rolling Stone (Wenner Media). Retrieved June 26, 2013.
- ↑ Vincent, Alice (June 2, 2013). "Beyoncé, Sound of Change Live, Twickenham Stadium, review". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group). Retrieved June 26, 2013.
- 1 2 "Beyoncé Album & Song Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
- 1 2 "R&B Singles Top 40". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
- ↑ "At Last - Beyoncé". Billboard. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
- ↑ "Top Smooth Jazz Songs - 2009 Year End Charts". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
- ↑ "R&R Going For Adds: Smooth Jazz (Week Of: November 3, 2008)". Radio & Records. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
- ↑ "Urban/UAC Future Releases (October 27, 2009)". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on October 8, 2009. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
External links
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