Search - Irma Thomas :: My Heart's in Memphis: The Songs of Dan Penn

A Great Soul Album by Irma Thomas

R. Weinstock | Falls Church, VA USA | 09/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Another winner from Irma

R. Weinstock | 08/24/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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

R. Weinstock | 08/11/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."