2008-08-12
"Simply Grand" -- a simply great concept for a simply great blues artist. Irma Thomas pairs up with 12 accomplished blues/jazz pianists and allows their keyboard work to gracefully adorn her signature vocals. Highlights include the songs with Henry Butler(#1, doing a John Fogerty tune), Dr. John (#2 and #8), Jon Clary (#3), Norah Jones (#7) and John Medeski (#11). Medeski's relentless piano pounding is particularly well done and I think the Butler and Jones cuts are also mighty fine. Irma is finally getting her due. After an early overlooked career, the "Soul Queen of New Orleans" was brought back into the spotlight by Rounder in the late '90s. We're all musically better for that. 08/08 MJVD B-DivaCLARENCE SPADY
Just Between Us
HOPE WAITS
HOPE WAITS
DR. TEQUILA
DR. TEQUILA
JR CLARK
Getaway
Anthony Geraci And The Boston Blues All-
Fifty Shades Of Blue
Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King
Fat Man's Shine Parlor
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