Rounder Records has reissued a pair of vinyl albums that display the rich sounds of New Orleans.
Officially dubbed “The Soul Queen of New Orleans”, Grammy-award winner Irma Thomas in 2006 released a heart-felt two album reflection of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina that could only be delivered by a local. Backed by David Torkanowsky/key, James Singleton/b, Dirk Powerl/g-vi, Corey Harris/g and Stanton Moore/dr, Thomas is riveting and convincing on the spiritual “Another Man Done Gone” as she sings “another storm has come” like one who lived through it. A rootsy and back porched take of the blues/gospel classic “Soul Of A Man” and the traditional “Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor” sound like the voice of a woman with red clay under her nails. Visceral virtues.
Fellow NO Native James Booker released possibly his best album in 1982, as he goes mostly solo, with a bit of support also provided by drummer John Vidacovich and bassist James Singleton on this avuncular mix of taproot and manuscripts. Little Richard alumnus “Red” Tyler brings his tenor sax in play for a harrowing quartet read of “Angel Eyes” while the trio takes bring out a festive and Fats Domino-ish “One For The Highway”, laconic “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” and gospel’d “If You’re Lonely”. The real fun, though, is Booker at his lonesome and striding right on “King of the Road” and having the digits dig deep on the “Professor Longhair Medley”. This isn’t the root of American music, but the marrow.