Irma ......simply the best.
I am from New Orleans, so Irma is like a household name to us. I sang along to her music as a teenager, have heard her perform, and even seen her in the grocery store. She's one of our local treasures, and a wonderful lady.

If you never heard her sing, you are in for a treat. This cd is not the best quality, but is a good example of her early years in the business. She's in her 60's now, and still going strong. She's always been a favorite of mine. Buy this, and treat yourelf to a dose of "The Soul Queen of New Orleans"

Great compilation
I came to Irma Thomas via her big eponymous hit, and wasn't dissapointed by the rest of the CD. Great songs, great voice.

One Of The Great Mysteries Of The Music Business
Why Irma Thomas never had more charted hits is simply beyond comprehension. Sure, one can use the excuse assigned to many such artists of that era - the ignominious British Invasion. But that really doesn't explain it either because some of her finest uncharted efforts came before that time.

Listen, for example, to the bluesy It's Raining, done in 1962 for the Minit label, and 1963's Ruler Of My Heart, which the great Otis Redding used as the basis for Pain In My Heart that year, and then tell me why these failed to dent either the R&B or Billboard pop charts. Like I say, one of the great mysteries of the time.

Born Irma Lee on February 18, 1941 in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, she had her first charter in 1960 on the Ron label with Don't Mess With My Man which, b/w Set Me Free, made it to # 22 R&B. Not in this set, it can be found in the CD Rhythm & Blues From The New Orleans Ladies.

After failing to chart from 1961 through 1963, she re-emerged on the Imperial label in the spring of 1964 with Wish Someone Would Care b/w Break-A-Way, a # 17 Billboard Hot 100/R&B entry. That summer she was back with Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand), a soulful ballad that topped out at # 52 H100/R&B. The flipside, Time Is On My Side, is, in my humble opinion, one of the best blues ballads ever, and why it didn't chart as well is just one more mystery among many when it comes to Irma Thomas. As another reviewer says, it's better than the Rolling Stones cover.

She finished off 1964 with two more hits, taking Times Have Changed to # 98 H100/R&B. The B-side of this, Moments To Remember, is on the CD Soul Queen Of New Orleans, as is her last charter with Imperial, He's My Guy, a # 63 H100/R&B in December 1964. The B-side, (I Want A) True, True Love is in this compilation.

Blanked for another three years, Irma came back in 1968 on the Chess label with an Otis Redding-penned hit Good To Me which, b/w We Got Something Good, peaked at # 42 R&B in March.

You cannot miss with an Irma Thomas CD.

Irma in the 1960s [2 and half stars]
Irma in the 1960s [2 and half stars]

This compilation, an updated and expanded version of a 1983 LP compilation (tracks 1-16), features 24 songs recorded 1962-1966 on Imperial, Brandy, and Minit labels. This is a slightly superior compilation to Razor & Tie's 1996 compilation "Sweet Soul Queen of New Orleans: The Irma Thomas Collection".

TIME IS ON MY SIDE consists of 24 songs from 1963-1966; songs are not in chronological order. Disc packaged in black jewel case; total running time: 65:50. Booklet includes an essay by Clive Richardson, two b&w photos, and songwriting credits (recording years provided on back cover; chart positions, albums of origin, producer credits, and musician personnel are not included). Sound quality is decent.

The disc closes with "It's a Man's-Woman's World Parts 1 & 2", which is the same recording as "It's a Man's Woman's World (Pt. 1)", the latter appearing on the "Sweet Soul Queen of New Orleans" disc. Both are the same length and include the last note of another song at the beginning of the track.

For her Soul recordings, and I would contend best work, get "A Woman's Viewpoint: Essential 70s Recordings" [2006].

Love New Orleans Artise
If you like New Orelans artist and music
then this is definatly for you.