Irma Thomas new cd

[Roberto Pinardi]

Irma Thomas, the GRAMMY Winning Soul Queen of New Orleans, Returns
with 'Simply Grand,' August 12

GUEST ARTISTS INCLUDE DR. JOHN, NORAH JONES, ELLIS MARSALIS, RANDY
NEWMAN AND OTHERS


On August 12, Rounder Records will proudly release Simply Grand, the
label's 10th album from the Grammy® award winning R&B legend Irma
Thomas. The concept for the album was simple: bring Thomas together
with a group of soul mate pianists and perform songs that find common
ground in each pairing. The result: a beautifully crafted album that
showcases the musical depth of Thomas, one of the most iconic and
beloved entertainers in New Orleans.


Recorded earlier this year in New Orleans, Los Angeles, and New York
with longtime producer and Rounder VP of A&R Scott Billington, Simply
Grand matches Thomas with renowned pianists Marcia Ball, Henry Butler,
Jon Cleary, Davell Crawford, Dr. John, David Eagan, Norah Jones, Ellis
Marsalis, Tom McDermott, John Medeski, Randy Newman, and David
Torkanowsky. Billington calls the album, "... the most ambitious
project that Irma and I have yet undertaken, but we had a ball at
every stop along with way. At each of the twelve recording sessions,
the musicians were clearly thrilled to be recording with this
legendary and ever-reaching artist, who is singing today at the peak
of her expressive and vocal powers."


The album opens with a version of the recent John Fogerty song, "River
Is Waiting" with New Orleans virtuoso Henry Butler on the piano bench.
Versatile pianist David Torkanowsky, who has participated in many of
Thomas' sessions, collaborates with her on two new songs, including
"What Can I Do," written by Burt Bacharach and Steve Krikorian*****. In
1959, New Orleans icon Dr. John played guitar on Thomas' very first
recording, "You Can Have My Husband (But Please Don't Mess With My
Man"). He reunites with her here for two vocal and piano duets
including "Be You," a previously unrecorded song he co-wrote with the
legendary American tunesmith Doc Pomus. Ellis Marsalis joins Thomas on
the jazz standard "This Bitter Earth," while she and Randy Newman
create a new version of Newman's classic song "I Think It's Going to
Rain Today." Norah Jones accompanies Thomas on Jones' hit song
"Thinking About You."


Simply Grand Track Listing:


1. River Is Waiting (with Henry Butler)
2. If I Had Any Sense I'd Go Back Home (with Dr. John)
3. Too Much Thinking (with Jon Cleary)
4. Early in the Morning (with Tom McDermott)
5. What Can I Do (with David Torkanowsky) *****
6. Underground Stream (with David Egan)
7. Thinking About You (with Norah Jones)
8. Be You (with Dr. John)
9. This Bitter Earth (with Ellis Marsalis)
10. Cold Rain (with David Torkanowsky)
11. Somebody Told You (with John Medeski)
12. Overrated (with Davell Crawford)
13. Same Old Blues (with Marcia Ball)
14. I Think It's Going to Rain Today (with Randy Newman)

Bye

Bob

[nymusicalsguy]

Any appearance of a new Bacharach song is always great news! And Irma's recording of "Live Again" has to be one of my favorite lesser-known Burt gems, as well as one of his most rocking!