2008-08-12
"Simply Grand" -- a simply great concept for a simply great blues artist. Irma Thomas pairs up with 12 accomplished blues/jazz pianists and allows their keyboard work to gracefully adorn her signature vocals. Highlights include the songs with Henry Butler(#1, doing a John Fogerty tune), Dr. John (#2 and #8), Jon Clary (#3), Norah Jones (#7) and John Medeski (#11). Medeski's relentless piano pounding is particularly well done and I think the Butler and Jones cuts are also mighty fine. Irma is finally getting her due. After an early overlooked career, the "Soul Queen of New Orleans" was brought back into the spotlight by Rounder in the late '90s. We're all musically better for that. 08/08 MJVD B-DivaPATRICK SWEANY
Every Hour Is a Dollar Gone
REV. BILLY C. WIRTZ
FULL CIRCLE
MARK HUMMEL
WAYBACK MACHINE
ANNIKA CHAMBERS & THE HOUSTON ALL-STARS
Making My Mark
TAD ROBINSON
BACK IN STYLE
PETE ANDERSON
BIRDS ABOVE GUITARLAND
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