Irma Thomas
Irma Thomas, known as the "Soul Queen of New Orleans," is a legendary American singer born on February 18, 1941, in Ponchatoula, Louisiana.
Irma Thomas, born Irma Lee, grew up in New Orleans and showed vocal talent early, singing in a Baptist church choir and a gospel quartet. At age 11, she won a talent night at the Ritz Theater, and by her teens, she recorded a school song and auditioned for Specialty Records.
Her breakthrough came in 1959 as a waitress at the Pimlico Club, where bandleader Tommy Ridgley heard her sing, leading to a deal with Ron Records. Her debut single, "Don't Mess with My Man," reached number 22 on the Billboard R&B chart. She later signed with Imperial Records, releasing nine singles and two albums over three years.
In the 1960s, Thomas toured the Southern college circuit while raising four children from two early marriages. She moved to California in 1970 for department store and auto parts jobs, recording sporadically for labels like Atlantic in 1971, before returning to New Orleans in the mid-1970s.
Thomas staged a major comeback in 1986 with the Rounder Records album The New Rules. She earned Grammy nominations in 1991 and 1998, and won Best Contemporary Blues Album for After the Rain in 2007. She has maintained an active touring and recording schedule.
Married to manager Emile Jackson since 1977, Thomas co-owned the Lion’s Den nightclub in New Orleans until Hurricane Katrina destroyed it in 2005. She has seven children and has appeared in films like Double Jeopardy and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Take A Look
Written-By – Naomi Neville 2:57
A2 Teasing, But You're Pleasing
Written-By – Naomi Neville 1:42
A3 I Haven't Got Time To Cry
Written-By – Mel Carter, Zelda Samuels 2:38
A4 You Don't Miss A Good Thing (Until It's Gone)
Written-By – Irma Thomas, Jerry Ragovoy 2:20
A5 Some Things You Never Get Used To
Written-By – Van McCoy 2:40
A6 Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)
Written-By – Seely, Arbuckle, Sheeran, Newman 2:30
B1 It's Starting To Get To Me Now
Written-By – Van McCoy 2:31
B2 Times Have Change
Written-By – Van McCoy 2:28
B3 He's My Guy
Written-By – Van McCoy 2:35
Label: Imperial – LP 12302
Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: US
Released: 1966
Genre: R&B Soul, Blues
Style: Sixties Soul, Deep Soul
The album Take A Look by Irma Thomas is widely considered a soul masterpiece and a definitive work by the "Soul Queen of New Orleans". Originally released in 1966 (not 1968), the album is celebrated for showcasing Thomas at the peak of her vocal prowess, blending deep soul with richer, uptown arrangements that include strings and backup vocals.
Thomas's rich, powerful, and natural voice, which is described as bringing a sense of "real understanding" and deep melancholy to her lyrics. Her delivery draws the listener into the song with an effortless, relaxed energy that only comes from a lifetime of performance.
The album successfully merges deep soul with fuller arrangements, pushing her sound towards uptown soul without becoming too pop-oriented. It features a mix of heartfelt, soulful ballads and some upbeat tracks. The production is noted for its stylish, tasteful statements from the backing band, particularly the guitar, Hammond organ, and saxophone.
While the original singles on the album didn't achieve massive mainstream commercial success compared to contemporaries like Aretha Franklin, the album has gained significant critical appreciation over time and is now considered an essential album for soul music lovers. The track "Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)" has garnered renewed attention and iconic status due to its feature in numerous episodes of the TV series Black Mirror.
The album is a de facto singles collection, with many tracks having previously appeared on 45s.
"Take a Look": The title track is an Allen Toussaint-penned "gem" that highlights Thomas's ability to deliver powerful soul.
"Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)": This timeless song, co-written by a young Randy Newman, is a major highlight and a classic of the genre.
"Wait, Wait, Wait": Another "real gem" written and produced by Allen Toussaint.
"I Haven't Got Time To Cry": A standout deep ballad that showcases her big-voiced style.
Overall, Take A Look is a highly regarded album that captures the raw, healthy voice of Irma Thomas and is considered a must-own for deep soul enthusiasts. You can explore the different releases on Discogs and purchase/download it on Amazon.
Wish Someone Would Care
Written-By – Irma Thomas
2:20
A2 I Need Your Love So Bad
Written-By – H. Dunham
3:10
A3 Without Love (There Is Nothing)
Written-By – D. Small
2:57
A4 Please Send Me Someone To Love
Written-By – P. Mayfield
2:28
A5 Another Woman's Man
Written-By – H.B. Barnum, J. Norman
3:03
A6 Sufferin' With The Blues
Written-By – Pemberton
2:18
B1 Time Is On My Side
Written-By – J. Norman, N. Meade
2:53
B2 While The City Sleeps
Written-By – Randy Newman
2:25
B3 Straight From The Heart
Written-By – Irma Thomas
2:26
B4 I've Been There
Written-By – G. Usher, W. Martindale
2:39
B5 I Need You So
Written-By – I.J. Hunter
2:21
B6 Break-A-Way
Written-By – J. DeShannon, S. Sheeley
2:30
Label: Imperial – LP-9266
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1964
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Southern Soul
Irma Thomas’ 1964 debut album, Wish Someone Would Care, is a cornerstone of Southern soul, highlighting her powerful yet vulnerable vocals, featuring the hit title track and "Break-A-Way". Produced in Los Angeles by Eddie Ray, this collection combines piano-heavy blues and soulful pop, showcasing her ability to deliver deep, emotional performances.
The album is noted for its polished yet poignant production, featuring prominent piano and organ rather than heavy brass, which brings a gentle, almost pop-influenced feel to the soul ballads.
Key Tracks:-
"Wish Someone Would Care": The self-penned title track is an intensely personal ballad written during her second divorce. Critics call it a "devastating" mission statement for the album.
"Time Is on My Side": Notable as the original version of the song later made famous by The Rolling Stones.
"Break-A-Way": A high-energy R&B track originally by Jackie DeShannon that showcases her versatility.
"Please Send Me Someone to Love": A gospel-infused cover of the Percy Mayfield classic.
Reviewers often highlight the contrast in Thomas’ voice, which balances immense strength with a sense of loneliness and emotional fatigue, likely influenced by her personal experiences at the time.
While some critics note the album's flow suffers from the era's tendency to bundle singles with filler, it is nonetheless considered an essential collection.
The album established Thomas as a major soul artist and is a must-listen for fans of 1960s R&B. Many consider it one of the ten best New Orleans albums ever made. It served as the primary vehicle that introduced Thomas’s regional success to a global audience.