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-DivaMicki Free
Tattoo Burn-Redux
TOM PRINCIPATO BAND
RAISING THE ROOF
TEENY TUCKER
Two Big M's
HONEYBOY EDWARDS
ROAMIN' AND RAMBLIN'
Eliza Neals feat. Howard Glaze and the Narcotics!
10,000 Feet Below
IRMA THOMAS
THE SOUL QUEEN OF NEW ORLEANS 50 Th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION
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