Friday, November 18, 2011

The Soul Corner - Irma Thomas

By request (thanks Frank!), let's cue up Irma Thomas, one of the great all-time soul singers, and the pride of the musical mecca of New Orleans.
I found this amazing video, can't tell when filmed, of Irma Thomas singing her classic single "Time is On My Side". Even by New Orleans standards, this is some band, including Dave Bartholomew on trumpet and Allen Toussaint on piano:
Irma recorded the song in 1964 and upon hearing it, the Rolling Stones immediately then recorded their version.

Here's one more classic, the recorded original of "It's Raining" (1962)

Irma continues to sing extremely well and do excellent work today. This is a 2010 live recording of Irma just killing the Bill Withers song "The Same Love That Made Me Laugh":
Irma Thomas' recorded version of "The Same Love That Made Me Laugh" appeared on I Believe To My Soul, a criminally underrated 2005 CD produced by WYMA favorite Joe Henry, featuring various soul artists (Irma Thomas, Mavis Staples, Billy Preston, Allen Toussaint, Ann Peebles). Very highly recommended to all Soul Corner readers:

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