Irma Thomas - What Are You Trying To Do

Another legendary Northern Soul smash, that we filmed for The Strange World Of Northern Soul, from legendary New Orleans songstress Irma Thomas, with one of those classics from the early days of Blackpool Mecca that sadly seems to be neglected and forgotten these days, "What Are You Trying To Do" on the Imperial label, from 1967. Irma Thomas was born on February 18, 1941, at Ponchatoula, Louisiana. She is a Grammy Award winning soul and rhythm and blues singer, known as the "Soul Queen of New Orleans."
Thomas is a contemporary of Aretha Franklin and Etta James, but never experienced their level of commercial success; still, she has a large cult following among soul aficionados. In 2007, she won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album for "After The Rain", her first Grammy in an acclaimed career spanning over 45 years. Born Irma Lee, as a teen she sang with a Baptist church choir, auditioning for Specialty Records as a 13 year old. By the age of 19 she had been married twice and had four children. Keeping her second ex-husband's surname, she worked as a waitress in New Orleans, occasionally singing with bandleader Tommy Ridgley, who helped her land a record deal with the local Ronn label. Her first single, "You Can Have My Husband (But Don't Mess With My Man)," was released in spring 1960, and reached the number 22 spot on the Billboard R&B chart. She then began recording on the Minit label, working with songwriter and producer Allen Toussaint on songs including "It's Raining" and "Ruler of my Heart", which was later reinterpreted by Otis Redding as "Pain In My Heart". Imperial Records acquired Minit in 1963, and a string of successful releases followed. These included "I Wish Someone Would Care" (her biggest national hit), its B-side " Break-a-Way" (later covered by Tracey Ullman among others), "Anyone Who Knows What Love Is", and "Time Is on My Side" (a song previously recorded by Kai Winding, and later by the Rolling Stones). Although her first four Imperial singles all charted on Billboard's pop chart, later releases were less successful, and, unlike her contemporaries Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight and Dionne Warwick she never managed to cross over into mainstream commercial success. She recorded for Chess Records in 1967/68 with some success, the Otis Redding song "Good To Me" reaching the R&B chart. She then relocated to California, releasing records on various small labels, before returning to Louisiana, and in the early 1980s opened her own club, the Lion's Den. After several years' break from recording, she was signed by Rounder Records, and in 1991 earned her first-ever Grammy nomination for "Live! Simply the Best", recorded in San Francisco. She subsequently released a number of traditional gospel albums, together with more secular recordings. The album "Sing It !" was nominated for a Grammy in 1999.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Northern-Soul
• Motorcity
• Blackpool-Mecca
• Sixties-Soul
• New-Orleans
• Diva
• Girl-Groups
• Wigan-Casino

[boortz47]

Ian, thank you so much. Had no idea you ever worked with this wonderful, underrated singer. She was actually the very first well-known singer I ever saw in concert in the late '60s and my love for her has never waned. I've always felt that she belonged right up there with Aretha, Tina Turner, Gladys Knight, and other major acts from that period. She may not have had the immediate fame those women did, but certainly had the love and respect from everyone who has ever heard her.

[IanLevine]

Oooooh so true. And she looks beautiful with it.

[MENCADO]

Old woman? Blah. Age is relative. She may be oldER than you are, but that doesn't mean she is "OLD". She is adorably sweet though, isn't she? :)

[tinyannual]

Soul Queen of New Orleans!!!!!

[tomthefunky]

Her stuff recorded with the legendary American studio band in Memphis is extraordinary.

[bondaley]

Irma is fantastic. I met her too and she was just as warm and wonderful as you all say. She's the best.

[porimiti]

i agree with mencado. she is very beautiful. i think all the time she spent doing this deep, healing music has imbued her with a almost mystical sweetness. most people simply adore her.

[swinginkatz]

Very Good.

[DejaVusee]

Irma you look AMAZING!

[countrynuno]

love you Irma!!!

[alec716]

One of the greatest, and most under-rated, living singers... and a charming, warm person to talk with, to boot.... sing on, Irma!!!

[allwayssoul]

Go on IAN!!!, youve done it again what a belting classic xx

[cribpointcritter]

Irma I love and your music, it's the best. Come to Australia....and give us afew concerts!!!