Customer Reviews

My Heart's in Memphis: The Songs of Dan Penn

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Irma Thomas, the great singer from New Orleans has a fabulous new Rounder cd in the stores on August 8, My Heart in Memphis: The Songs of Dan Penn. Thomas has been such a terrific singer since she recorded such R&B classics as Ruler of My Heart, I Done Got Over It and the original Time Is On My Side. In the seventies she did some sessions in Muscle Shoals, and included a couple songs by Dan Penn, and Penn contributed three songs to Irma's 1997 album, The Story of My Life. Penn is among the great songwriters, having had a part in such classic songs as Aretha's Do Right Woman, the Box Tops Cry Like a Baby and James Carr's great deep soul classic, Dark End of the Street. With collaborators including Spooner Oldham, Carson Whitsett, Marvell Thomas and Irma herself, Penn has provided wonderful new tunes, and with co-producer Scott Billington, has brought together a sterling studio band including Michael Toles on guitar, the keyboards of Oldham, Whitsett, and Thomas, along with saxophonist Jim Spake. Anyone who loves the classic Memphis Sound will groove to the playing here and when Irma sings about traveling all over the world, but her heart being in Memphis on the title track one almost believes she lived in Memphis all her life. There's a wonderful reworking of the James and Bobby Purify hit, I'm Your Puppet, along with Zero Willpower, which Irma recorded in Muscle Shoals in the late sixties. There are blue laments of love gone wrong and mistreating men, Blue in the Heart and Woman left Lonely, as well as songs with a more assertive tone, If You Want It, Come and Get It. Songs as these good display's Irma's greatest strength as a singer, which is her sincerity and believability. My Heart's In Memphis is possibly the best classic soul album since the late Johnny Adams' last album, Man of My Word, another Scott Billington production.

I've been a fan for several years now and own all her Rounder CD's as well as some of the older stuff. This CD's great, but a little different from her others. As the title implies, it was recorded in Memphis & features the songs of Dan Penn, who Irma's covered before. If you're looking for the New Orleans, second-line rhythms of her previous efforts, you might be disappointed. As for southern soul/R&B, Memphis style, you'll be very pleasantly surprised. She's in as great a voice as ever, and most of the songs are really strong. Musicians and production are great too.

Irma Thomas is definitely as good as she has ever been. Comebined with the legendary songwriting skill of Dan Penn as well as the considerable talent of some of Memphis's best musicians backing her, Ms. Thomas once again uses her smooth, powerful, voice to convey the very essence of soulful music. This CD is a must for any fan with a serious understanding and appreciation of Rhythm and Blues music.

Irma Thomas is a true soul survivor! and she delivers that on this great soul cd, Irma is in great voice, soul cd's like this are becoming a rarity these days, great songs and musicians on this set! This is one of Irma's best records!

Irma Thomas and Dan Penn is a marriage made in heaven. This is Irma's best CD to date. Penn's songs show off her voice and his production is very simple but so good. On past CD's I've always felt that Irma needed stronger material and Penn can still write great R&B songs. He just needed the right singer. Most songs are new but Irma gives her interpretation to some of Dan's classics. Not since Aretha has Dan Penn's songs sounded this good. Not since "Wish Someone Would Care" has Irma had such great material. This is an absolute treat, not to be missed.

I first heard of Irma Thomas on a local public radio station. She instantly touched my soul. Irma has a wonderful provacative voice, which is matched by few. This is a CD not to be missed.