Friday, March 24, 2023

Irma Thomas - Full Time Woman- The Lost Cotillion Album (2014) + Booklet - Real Gone/Rhino - Rare Soul (FLAC)

"Soul Queen Of New Orleans" Irma Thomas enjoyed a run of national success in the U.S. in the mid-'60s with classics like "Wish Someone Would Care," "Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)" along with the original vocal version of "Time Is on My Side" (later a massive hit for the Rolling Stones), recorded for Imperial Records. Following a short stint at Chess Records, Irma recorded for Canyon before being signed to Atlantic Records by the label's much renowned executive, Jerry Wexler. A first session in 1971 yielded one single, "Full Time Woman" (produced by noted New Orleans music legend Wardell Quezergue), which failed to chart but was singled out by Wexler in a 2007 interview as one of his all time favorite recordings. Undaunted, Atlantic arranged further sessions for Irma in Detroit, Miami and Philadelphia throughout 1972 – yet none of the material was ever issued. Noted soul music historian and SoulMusic Records founder David Nathan uncovered all the tapes of this treasure trove of previously unreleased material during vault research in 2005. In 2014 more than 40 years after they were originally recorded, Full Time Woman: The Lost Cotillion Album brings all of Irma's recordings for Atlantic (under its Cotillion imprint) to light for the first time! Irma puts her own distinctive, ever soulful stamp on such tunes as the standard "Time After Time," Bobbie Gentry's 1969 hit, "Fancy," and Billy Walker's country hit, "Tell Me Again," alongside the funky "She's Taken My Part" (the flipside of "Full Time Woman"), and R&B-flavored original material including the highlights "Waiting For Someone," "Our Love Don't Come Easy" and two early '70s Philly soul cuts, "No Name" and "Adam & Eve" with remastering by Alan Wilson at Western Star Studio in the U.K. and liner notes by David Nathan that recount his personal odyssey in search of these tapes, the album features a full 13 unreleased tracks and represents a major addition to the Irma Thomas discography. Irma had mixed feelings about the album as you can read in an interview with her just here. I for one have loved this album, i can see what the producers were trying to do steering her in a different direction with refreshing material. The lady has always delivered what ever she,s done in fine style as only irma can!

AMM


                                                                      The Tasters!





19 comments:

RMstorm said...

Thanks AMM. Irma hits the spot just right.

Little Bill said...

Thanks for the upgrade and the booklet AMM!

gmortars said...

I don't think Irma Thomas gets the credit she deserves. Thanks, AMM!

Bill said...

You`re back with a bump...3 GREAT Posts!
Cheers!
Bill

pmac said...

Very good album by Ms. Irma. She spent a lot of years bouncing around labels, and this is one that just got caaught in between companies that closed the doors. But, its a great album.
Worth looking for is the last one she recorded about 4 years ago, entitled "Love is the Foundation." Was done for Newvelle Records as a vinyl only release. Amazing sonic qualities, with a lot of brass in the mix.
Thankfully, Ms. Irma is still alive and kickin', and does occassionally perform. And, if she evers asks you to sit in on a card game, its best that you decline the offer, unless you have a ton of $ to lose.

PeterH said...

New Irma tracks for me! Thanks for review, P.

soultime said...

What a fantastic songstress . I cant wait to here the full cd

oldsoulrebel said...

Once again thanks for the upgrade to flac AMM

bigcravings said...

Excellent stuff

richsoul said...

Thank you for Irma. A real classic soul lady. Thanks AMM.

Guy said...

Thanks for this review, fascinating

Anghellic67$ said...

Thank you AMM For this Album,Much Appreciated

tsi&hrjs said...

Thanks AMM. You can't go wrong with Irma Thomas!

pedro B said...

Thanks for Irma from the tasters sound great even if it a slightly different style but works for me great Review

Cheers Pedro

hakase said...

thanks for this great RealGone-Rhino-SoulMusic release much appreciated

reb.jukebox said...

Many thanks AMM for more Irma Reb

bostig said...

Looks interesting 🎸🎸🎸

Guitarradeplastico,scraping oddities said...

Many thanks for the info

Lordchester said...

Thanks for reviewing this one. Such an underrated singer deserves far more attention.