Irma Thomas
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New Orleans, United States
Irma Thomas (b. February 18, 1941, Ponchatoula, Louisiana) whose only national chart hit in a 50 year career is 1963’s “Wish Someone Would Care”, is an enduring, Grammy winning, soul, gospel, rhythm and blues singer from New Orleans. Known as the “Soul Queen of New Orleans”, she is a contemporary of Aretha Franklin and Etta James, but did not tour as relentlessly, and industry support and major commercial success eluded her for decades. Thomas, who once was told by execs at Atlantic in the late 60’s that “she just didn’t have it anymore”, remained undaunted, and continues to perform to a loyal and growing following worldwide.
She was finally awarded a Grammy for her 2006 Rounder album “After the Rain”, after more than 40 years as singer. She won The Best Contemporary Blues Album Grammy again for her 2008 album “Simply Grand”.
Releasing her first single in 1959, she struggled to launch her career from segregated New Orleans as a teenage waitress with 4 children in the early 60’s. Now, finally undergoing a late career renaissance on the Rounder label, much of her most enduring work was produced in the early 1960’s by Allen Toussaint for Minit Records, and she also recorded for other labels including Imperial, Chess, and Atlantic, eventually retiring for a period before reviving her career in earnest in the late 1980’s.
Thomas is perhaps best known outside of New Orleans for her recording of “Time Is On My Side,” which predated the hit version by The Rolling Stones. Otis Redding’s hit “Pain In My Heart” was built on an earlier song, “Ruler Of My Heart,” recorded by Thomas.
Wish Someone Would Care”, is an enduring, Grammy winning, soul, gospel, rhythm and blues singer from New Orleans. Known as the “Soul Queen of New Orleans”, she is a contemporary of Aretha Franklin and Etta James, but did not tour as relentlessly, and industry support and major commercial success eluded her for decades. Thomas, who once was told by execs at Atlantic in the late 60’s that “she just didn’t have it anymore”, remained undaunted, and continues to perform to a loyal and growing following worldwide.
She was finally awarded a Grammy for her 2006 Rounder album “After the Rain”, after more than 40 years as singer. She won The Best Contemporary Blues Album Grammy again for her 2008 album “Simply Grand”. Releasing her first single in 1959, she struggled to launch her career from segregated New Orleans as a teenage waitress with 4 children in the early 60’s. Now, finally undergoing a late career renaissance on the Rounder label, much of her most enduring work was produced in the early 1960’s by Allen Toussaint for Minit Records, and she also recorded for other labels including Imperial, Chess, and Atlantic, eventually retiring for a period before reviving her career in earnest in the late 1980’s.
Thomas is perhaps best known outside of New Orleans for her recording of “
Time Is On My Side,” which predated the hit version by The Rolling Stones. Otis Redding’s hit “Pain In My Heart” was built on an earlier song, “Ruler Of My Heart,” recorded by Thomas.
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Top Albums
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Straight From The Soul
Irma Thomas
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Time Is on My Side
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Wish Someone Would Care
Irma Thomas Buy- Download Album
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Shoutbox
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mockajulia wrote:
I just discovered her, so amazing
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Szpila299 wrote:
Break-A-Way <3
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pet-lamb wrote:
so excited to see her on Sunday!
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akoustikosagnoi wrote:
good stuff here.
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cee-lo wrote:
you have to check out this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmI-IejJl3U what a great song, huh! that would be awesome if Irma recorded an album with these guys
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sallycinnamon_ wrote:
come back, come back, come back.. i've had enough
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Haiku96708 wrote:
easily my favorite soul singer!
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foxyluva wrote:
"Wish Someone Would Care" is probably the most underrated female soul album ever
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miss_unafraid wrote:
Yes, I'm gonna cry... till my tears run dryyyy <3 Love her voice
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aesideusi wrote:
break-a-way is one of the closest things I've ever heard to a perfect song.
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LondonLouis wrote:
Having just re-listened to some of her work, I've come to appreciate what a fine voice she had. I hadn't realised how little chart success she had. She's good.
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manimouse wrote:
The best female soul singer all all time for me..she's the queen
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wastedish wrote:
favorite woman soul singer
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simonjalpin wrote:
great voice and songs best simon
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tulayakar wrote:
super!
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Marjo47 wrote:
a good Soul song and like her voice to.
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malkeschmied wrote:
Whow - she is quite something!! Lover her voice!!!
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Hitman44 wrote:
Very... vERY... vErY....NICE
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maulofsound wrote:
she kinda looks like michelle obama.
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nadirauxpommes wrote:
Not a bitter ounce of soul...
Videos
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Play
"I Needed Somebody"
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Play
What Are You Trying To Do
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Play
Break Away Ruler Of My Heart…
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Play
Anyone Who Knows What Love Is…
Events
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Apr
27
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans, United States
31 going
2 shouts
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Recent Activity
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jlawhorn27707, DocWal, Mushka1130 and 1 other person added Irma Thomas to their libraries. yesterday evening
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NicklessPT tagged Irma Thomas with rhythm and blues, blues, female vocalists and one other tag. Friday afternoon
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King579925, solomonwrites, cfstudio20 and 3 other people added Irma Thomas to their libraries. Friday afternoon
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TheUglyTuna tagged Irma Thomas with southern soul, soul and new orleans rhythm and blues. last week
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Conrad_Veidt, bigmac27, whynot2222 and 20 other people added Irma Thomas to their libraries. 8 days ago
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kshanker, carleet, ggpiepie and 3 other people added Irma Thomas to their libraries. last month
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kshanker tagged Irma Thomas with ‘grrrrrl soul’. last month
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byrdhenrybyrd tagged Irma Thomas with ‘female vocalists’. last month
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byrdhenrybyrd, TexRoadrunner, meghanz and 7 other people added Irma Thomas to their libraries. last month
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yookyook added Irma Thomas to the lineup of New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at Fair Grounds Race Course. last month
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