Irma Thomas

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Irma Thomas : biography

February 18, 1941 –

Thomas was the subject of the 2008 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival poster. She was chosen as the subject before the painting was chosen for the poster. Artist Douglas Bourgeois painted the singer in 2006. In 2010, Thomas rode in the New Orleans parade "Grela". In April that year, Thomas performed at the Corner Hotel, Richmond.

During Easter 2011, Thomas performed twice at the Bluesfest music festival in Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia. On April 24, she performed on the Crossroads stage, coming on after Mavis Staples; then on April 25, she headlined the Crossroads stage, coming on after Jethro Tull and Osibisa.

In December 2011, Thomas’ track "Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)" was featured in Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror in the second instalment entitled "15 Million Merits".

In 2013, Thomas was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the ‘Soul Blues Female Artist’ category, which she duly won.

Worked with

  • Tommy Ridgley
  • Eddie Bo
  • Edgar Blanchard
  • Bill Sinigal
  • Irving Banister
  • Patsy Valdalia
  • Dr. John
  • Skip Easterling

Influences

  • Mahalia Jackson
  • Pearl Bailey
  • Brook Benton
  • John Lee Hooker
  • Percy Mayfield

Discography

Singles

  • "(You Can Have My Husband But) Don’t Mess with My Man" / "Set Me Free" (Ron 328) (#22 R&B, 1960)
  • "A Good Man" / "I May Be Wrong" (Ron 330)
  • "Cry On" / "Girl Needs Boy" (Minit 625) (1961)
  • "It’s Too Soon To Know" / "That’s All I Ask" (Minit 633)
  • "I Done Got Over It" / "Gone" (Minit 642) (1962)
  • "It’s Raining" / "I Did My Part" (Minit 653) (1962)
  • "Two Winters Long" / "Somebody Told You" (Minit 660)
  • "Ruler Of My Heart" / "Hittin’ On Nothing" (Minit 666) (1963)
  • "For Goodness Sake" / "When Ever" (Bandy 368)
  • "Wish Someone Would Care" / "Break-A-Way" (Imperial 66013) (#17 pop, 1964)
  • "Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)" / "Time Is on My Side" (Imperial 66041) (#52 pop, 1964)
  • "Times Have Changed" / "Moments To Remember" (Imperial 66069) (#98 pop, 1964)
  • "He’s My Guy" / "(I Want A) True, True Love" (Imperial 66080) (#63 pop, 1964)
  • "Some Things You Never Get Used To" / "You Don’t Miss A Good Thing" (Imperial 66095) (#109 pop, 1965)
  • "I’m Gonna Cry Till My Tears Run Dry" / "Nobody Wants To Hear Nobody’s Troubles" (Imperial 66106) (#130 pop, 1965)
  • "It’s Starting To Get To Me Now" / "Hurt’s All Gone" (Imperial 66120)
  • "Take A Look" / "What Are You Trying To Do" (Imperial 66137) (#118 pop, 1965)
  • "It’s a Man’s-Woman’s World (parts 1 and 2)" (Imperial 66178) (#119 pop, 1966)
  • "Somewhere Crying" / "Cheater Man" (Chess 2010) (1967)
  • "A Woman Will Do Wrong" / "I Gave You Everything" (Chess 2017)
  • "Good To Me" / "We Got Something Good" (Chess 2036) (#42 R&B, 1968)
  • "Save A Little Bit For Me" / "That’s How I Feel About You" (Canyon 21) (1970)
  • "I’d Do It All Over You" / "We Won’t Be In Your Way Anymore" (Canyon 31) (1971)
  • "These Four Walls" / "A Woman’s Viewpoint" (Roker 502) (1971)
  • "Full Time Woman" / "She’s Taking My Part" (Cotillion 41444) (1972)
  • "She’ll Never Be Your Wife" / "You’re The Dog" (Fungus 15119) (1973)
  • "In Between Tears" (Fungus 15141)
  • "Coming From Behind (parts 1 and 2)" (Fungus 15353) (1974)
  • "Don’t Blame Him" / "Breakaway" (Maison de Soul 1012) (1977)
  • "Hip Shakin’" / "Hittin’ On Nothin’" (Maison de Soul 1058) (1977)
  • "Safe With Me" / "Zero Willpower" (RCS 1006) (1979)
  • "Take What You Find" / I Can’t Help Her" (RCS 1008)
  • "A Woman Left Lonely" / "Dance Me Down Easy" (RCS 1010)
  • "Looking Back" / Don’t Stop" (RCS 1013)
  • "Mardi Gras Manbo" / "I Believe Saints Go All The Way" (Sound of New Orleans 10311) (1988)