Irma Thomas - 50th Anniversary Celebration

For a half century, Irma Thomas has been firmly established as the undisputed queen of New Orleans soul, and over the years has issued several standout recordings for the Rounder label. This collection features 15 of her very best works with no filler or sub-standard tracks, and includes three previously unissued tracks. Thomas taps on the deep wellspring of songwriters and performers from the Crescent City, including David Torkanowsky, Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Doc Pomus, Doyle Bramhall II, Sonny Landreth, James Singleton, Stanton Moore, and Henry Butler among many others. This compilation, organized from her 25 years on the Rounder label, comes from six of her eleven albums, tacking on tunes from the Rhino collections I Believe to My Soul and 'Till The Night Is Gone; A Tribute to Doc Pomus, as well as the Nonesuch label collection Our New Orleans. The CD is highlighted by three selections from her all-time best and Grammy-award winning recording After the Rain, a post-Katrina anthem for the ages in and of itself. On a pure blues side, there's the raunchy, Bayou-humid thick "Another Man Done Gone" from After the Rain, and Bessie Smith's "Back Water Blues" via the compilation Our New Orleans -- both classics. Gospel-soul is always a part of the repertoire as heard on the confirmational tune "Let It Be Me" or "There Must Be a Better World Somewhere," co-written by Dr. John and Doc Pomus. Thomas specializes in downtrodden, brokenhearted songs such as the confused, sad ballad "What Can I Do?," "I Count the Tears" (from After the Rain) with a supportive chorus amid the gloomy mood, and the regretful ballad "Loving Arms." There's a funky, more commercial cover of the Purify Brothers' hit "I'm Your Puppet" with a horn section and popping electric bass guitar, a good-time rocker "The New Rules" affirming woman power, and the song of hope "River Is Waiting" with Butler's lively piano urging the band and singers to stand up and be counted. Thomas owns the kind of voice that is universally likable, never straining for high notes, unwavering in her soulful content, and as precise as any vocalist could dream of. She's simply precious, direct, stirring, and exciting no matter the style or lyric content. Though all of her individual CD's are easily recommended, this one is a must-have for collectors of greatest-hits packages, and especially those who for some reason have not yet discovered this brilliant American artist -- truly one of a kind. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide

Name Credits A.J. Pittman Trumpet Aaron Walk Assistant Engineer Adam Taylor Engineer, Mixing Alfred "Uganda" Roberts Conga, Tambourine Allen Toussaint Piano Arthur Bell Guitar Bill "Foots" Samuel Sax (Alto), Sax (Tenor), Horn Arrangements, Sax (Baritone) Chris Belleau Trombone Chris Severin Bass Craig Wroten Keyboards Cranston Clements Guitar Dan Penn Producer David Farrell Remixing, Mixing, Engineer David Torkanowsky Piano, Organ (Hammond), Piano (Electric) David Whitehead Executive Producer Dawn Hopkins Engineer Dirk Powell Guitar (Electric), Fretless Banjo Don Bryant Vocals (Background) Doyle Bramhall II Guitar (Electric), Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar Elaine Foster Vocals (Background) Emile Hall Sax (Tenor) Ernie Gautreau Trombone (Valve) Frank Parker Trumpet Glenn Carvin Keyboards Guillermo Ladut Guitar Hannah Thiem Violin Harold J. Scott Bass Howard Lamb Trombone Irma Thomas Producer, Vocals James Singleton Pizzicato Bass, Bass, Bass (Acoustic) Jay Bellerose Percussion, Drums Jean McClain Vocals (Background) Jeff Hannusch Liner Notes Jim Spake Sax (Tenor) Jonathan Wyner Mastering Juanita Brooks Vocals (Background) Kevin Killen Mixing, Engineer Kim Phillips Organ (Hammond) Kristen Miller Cello Leroy Aych Guitar Marc Broussard Vocals (Background) Marvell Thomas Organ (Hammond) Michael Toles Guitar (Electric) Niki Haris Vocals (Background) Pamela Landrum Vocals (Background) Patricia Doucette Viola Paul Dalen Executive Producer Paul Q. Kolderie Mixing Paul Rayner Brown Vocals (Background) Percy Williams Trumpet, Percussion Peter Doris Assistant Renard Poché Guitar Rick Olivier Photography S. "Husky" Hoskulds Mixing, Engineer Sammy Berfect Organ (Hammond) Scott Billington Producer, Remixing, Tambourine, Compilation Producer, Harmonica Sonny Landreth Slide Guitar Spooner Oldham Fender Rhodes Stanton Moore Drums Tara Darnell Vocals (Background) Terry Tullos Trumpet, French Horn Warner Williams Piano, Sax (Tenor) Wesley Fontenot Assistant