Simply Grand

Irma Thomas | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 12, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rounder / Umgd
• ASIN: B001APM458
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #125,382 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

There has always been a piano at the heart of Irma Thomas's music, and she is accompanied here by twelve of the best pianists around. The Grammy®-winning Soul Queen of New Orleans has never sounded better than in this all-acoustic setting. From the soul-searing passion of "Cold Rain" to the bittersweet intimacy of "This Bitter Earth," Irma's enduring warmth and soulfulness prevail, never straying far from the blues. Included are many new songs (including one from Burt Bacharach and Steve Krikorian) and a previously unrecorded Doc Pomus-Dr. John composition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Soul Queen of New Orleans delivers another Grammy winner., September 9, 2008

By 

James Harrison (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Simply Grand (Audio CD)

Since the early 1960's Irma Thomas has been creating great music. Her early hit Time Is On My Side was covered by the Rolling Stones who were early admirers of her soulfull voice.

Her last CD won her a Grammy and I believe this is an even a better record.

As the liner notes explain, the concept behind this album is to bring Thomas together with a group of soulmate pianists. Whilst I am usually dissapointed in "with friends" type records this is not in that vein.

Guests take a back seat with some great instrumentation, mainly accoustic, and occasioanl or backing vocal only, Irma's wonderfull voice is allowed to shine.

Guest pianists include Henry Butler, Dr John, Jon Cleary,Norah Jones, Ellis Marsalis,John Medeski,Marcia Ball and Randy Newman. You will note a heavy New Orleans influence here and it is fantastic as is the production of Scott Billington.

There are 14 tracks including a previously unreleased Doc Pomus/Dr John track other writers are Norah Jones, Jon Cleary, Clyde Otis, Burt Bacharach, Allan Toussaint, John Fogerty and Randy Newman whose beautiful "I Think It's Going To Rain Today" closes the CD.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars New direction for the 'Soul Queen of New Orleans', September 4, 2008

By 

M. Tarr "blues/jazz lover" (Albany, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Simply Grand (Audio CD)

A different direction for an Irma Thomas recording. All tracks are either her voice w/ a solo piano or in some cases, piano w/ bass & drums. The result is to truly focus on Irma's magnificent voice & her interaction w/ the various pianists. In most cases, the idea works wonderfully, although in a couple of instances, I'd have liked to hear some fuller accompaniment. The CD definitely makes me want to hear her live again, this time in a small club setting w/ just a pianist and/or trio behind her.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real head-turner, September 1, 2008

By 

Old Norseman (Highland Park, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Simply Grand (Audio CD)

This is the record that will make you listen to Irma Thomas with new ears. The formula -- Irma plus a succession of pianists in an all-acoustic setting -- sounds gimmicky, but it puts the spotlight on her singing and interpretive skills, and the lady bats these songs right out of the park. For me the standout is her haunting version of Randy Newman's "I Think It's Going to Rain Today" (with Newman himself on the keys) but there are plenty of other gems to explore.