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Amazing singer.probably the warmest and most versatile soul singer of the 1960's. Thank goodness this set exists.And, yeah, everything the other reviews say about her voice is true. The first 11 songs are the "hits" section, and most of the following songs (except for the classic "Take a Look") are the (usually wonderful) obscurities.
He's a great mastering engineer. So if you want everything she released through 1966, you will need this. As an intro "best of" I prefer the Kent "Time Is On My Side" CD, but this set has two things going for it:1) Steve Hoffman mastered it from the vintage stereo mixes.
The collection is sort of in two parts. Nice sense of humor, too. So it sounds really good (despite what a couple reviews here say).2) It presents all of the remaining Imperial/Liberty B-sides not found on any other collection.
It contains some mono single mixes that sound amazing.
ITREMINDED ME OF THE FREE CONCERTS SHE GAVE AT AUDUBON PARK ON SUNDAYAFTERNOONS YEARS AGO, AND BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES OF BETTER TIMES. THIS IS REALLY "THE BEST OF THE BEST" IRMA THOMAS CD OF ALL TIMES.
It just resonates with maybe not heart-ache but feelings of the heart. And all the musicians on this are great. Found this now favorite CD while watching an interesting Ray Liotta film called "Slow Burn". She feels. Ordering another copy now for a friend who heard mine and loved it. A character in that film is a fan of the one he calls "Sister Irma Thomas". Being from Wisconsin, I have to admit I searched under Sister Thomas.then wised up and found this incredible CD.
I am thrilled this CD was not digitally remastered. I did notice a bit of a scatchy record sound in a couple of places but for me that just added to the joy of it all. Pure sweetness.buy it.you won't regret it. I recently got this CD and fell in love with the voice of Irma Thomas all over again. This Cd is pure delight.music in it's true form.
The collection does include her "answer record" to James Brown's "It's a Man's Man's Man's World", "It's a Man's Woman's World", produced by the Godfather of Soul himself. While her voice and the music is enjoyable, I would have liked a few additional songs and I would have expected better packaging for such a costly CD. The songs included in this 1996 compilation were recorded in 1963 and 1964, according to the essay included. SWEET SOUL QUEEN OF NEW ORLEANS: THE IRMA THOMAS COLLECTION consists of 23 songs, presumably recorded in 1963 and 1964 on Minit and Imperial/Liberty labels. Here, Irma is more Ruth Brown than Etta James; more Ronnie Spector than Aretha Franklin; more Mable John than Koko Taylor. The sound quality is mostly decent. Includes 10 songs not found on the "Time Is on My Side" compilation.
It is Rhythm & Blues, verging on Do-Wopish Pop (with a couple Motown-esque tunes). 1)The music is not particularly Bluesy, nor is it Southern Soul or New Orleans Jazz.
Booklet includes several photographs, a 3+ page essay by John Morthland, chart position information for 4 songs, no lyrics, and no individual track information. Note: Last note of up-tempo "Take a Look" runs over into first second of ballad "It's a Man's Woman's World" (Pt.
This is stated without certitude, because individual track information is not provided. Another notable track is "Moments to Remember", which has an intro very similar to Martha & the Vandellas' "(Love Is Like a) Heatwave".
Content/Music: 2 & half stars Packaging/Booklet: no stars Disc packaged in black standard jewel case; total running time: 60 min.
Not included here is her 1960 hit "(You Can Have My Husband But Please) Don't Mess With My Man" or 1963's "I Did My Part"; nor is "Good to Me" or her other recordings made on Chess Records, after she signed with the label in 1967.
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