River Is Waiting
It is difficult to believe that 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of
Irma Thomas’ first recording session. She remains one of
America’s most distinctive and classic singers, a treasure from
the golden age of soul music who remains as compelling and
powerful as ever. As Don McLeese wrote in his review of her
2006 album, After the Rain, “Most singers who have been
recording as long as Thomas resort to tricks, mannerisms, and
show-off displays, but she remains the anti-diva, a stylist of
exquisite understatement whose every note rings true and
hits home.”
After recording such 1960s hits as “Time Is On My Side,” “It’s
Raining” and “Wish Someone Would Care,” Irma Thomas joined
Rounder Records in 1986 and later garnered Grammy® nomina-
tions for her live album, Simply the Best!, and her collaboration with
Marcia Ball and Tracy Nelson, Sing It! Over the years, Thomas
became a beloved favorite at the annual New Orleans Jazz and
Heritage Festival.
In 2006, she won the Grammy® for Best Contemporary Blues
Album for After the Rain. In 2007, Irma Thomas was honored for
her contributions to Louisiana music with induction into The
Louisiana Music Hall of Fame .
In August 2009, a compilation album with three new songs, titled
The Soul Queen of New Orleans: 50th Anniversary Celebration
was released by Rounder Records to commemorate Thomas’ 50th
year as a recording artist.
River is Waiting
Don’t Mess With My Man
Irma Thomas – vocal
Arthur Bell – guitar
Robert Harvey – bass
Kim Phillips – Hammond B-3 organ
Larry “Choo” Campbell – drums
Emile Hall – tenor saxophone
Percy Williams – trumpet and percussion
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS:
Henry Butler – piano
Jonell Mosser and Vicki Hampton – backing vocals on
River is Waiting