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-DivaWATERMELON SLIM & THE WORKERS
BULL GOOSE ROOSTER
Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King
Fat Man's Shine Parlor
THE MIGHTY MOJO PROPHETS
FLYIN' HOME FROM MEMPHIS
THE PHANTOM BLUES BAND
Footprints
BETTYE LaVETTE
Interpretations – The Great British Songbook
Thirsty Perch Blues Band
Live for Today
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