Irma Thomas – Take A Look (Imperial LP-9302)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Irma Thomas – Take A Look (Imperial LP-9302): A Timeless New Orleans Soul Masterpiece

 

 

 

 

Imperial ‎records 1966 – LP-9302

 

notes:

When discussing the greatest voices in American soul music, 
Irma Thomas deserves a place among the legends. Often called
 the "Soul Queen of New Orleans," her remarkable ability to 
express heartbreak, hope, and resilience shines throughout 
Take A Look, released on Imperial Records (LP-9302).
This classic album showcases Thomas at the peak of her vocal
 powers, blending Southern soul, rhythm & blues, gospel influences,
 and New Orleans grooves into an unforgettable listening experience.
Whether you're a longtime collector or discovering her music for 
the first time, Take A Look remains an essential addition 
to any classic soul vinyl collection.
Irma Thomas – Take A Look (Imperial LP-9302) is more than a 
vintage record—it's an important chapter in the history of 
New Orleans soul music. Rich vocals, heartfelt performances, 
and timeless production make this album a must-have 
for both serious collectors and casual listeners.

credits:

Musician    Instrument
Irma Thomas – vocals
Eddie Ray – producer
Carol Kaye    electric bass
Earl Palmer    drums
Darlene Love    backing vocals (with The Blossoms)
The Blossoms    background vocals
H. B. Barnum    orchestral arrangements, conducting

Recording studio:
The Imperial recordings for this album were made at:
United Western Recorders, Hollywood, California 
(today known as United Recording). These sessions 
took place while Irma was living in Los Angeles after
 Imperial acquired her contract

tracklist:

A1        Take A Look
Written-By – Naomi Neville
    2:57
A2        Teasing, But You're Pleasing
Written-By – Naomi Neville
    1:42
A3        I Haven't Got Time To Cry
Written-By – Mel Carter, Zelda Samuels
    2:38
A4        You Don't Miss A Good Thing (Until It's Gone)
Written-By – Irma Thomas, Jerry Ragovoy
    2:20
A5        Some Things You Never Get Used To
Written-By – Van McCoy
    2:40
A6        Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand)
Written-By – Seely*, Arbuckle*, Sheeran*, Newman*
    2:30
B1        It's Starting To Get To Me Now
Written-By – Van McCoy
    2:31
B2        Times Have Changed
Written-By – Van McCoy
    2:28
B3        He's My Guy
Written-By – Van McCoy
    2:35
B4        Baby, Don't Look Down
Written-By – Randy Newman
    2:30
B5        What Are You Trying To Do
Written-By – Naomi Neville
    2:14
B6        Wait, Wait, Wait
Written-By – Naomi Neville
    2:38 

 

 

 

link 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Irma Thomas – I Did My Part (1962 Minit Records 653)

Irma Thomas – “I Did My Part” (1962 Minit Records 653): Soul Music History & Song Review

Minit records 1962      – 653

 

 

notes:

 

 Few voices in American soul music carry the emotional depth 
and authenticity of Irma Thomas, often celebrated as the 
"Soul Queen of New Orleans." Among her early recordings,
 "I Did My Part", released in 1962 on Minit Records (Catalog No. 653),
 stands as another fine example of her remarkable ability
 to transform heartbreak into unforgettable music.
A Classic New Orleans Soul Recording
Released during the golden era of New Orleans rhythm and blues, 
I Did My Part showcases Irma Thomas's expressive vocal style that 
would later inspire generations of soul and R&B singers. The single
 reflects the city's distinctive musical blend of gospel, blues, 
rhythm & blues, and early soul.
While many listeners know Irma Thomas for classics such as 
Time Is on My Side and Wish Someone Would Care, her Minit Records 
recordings helped establish her reputation
 as one of the finest female vocalists of the early 1960s.

credits:

Irma Thomas – lead vocals
Allen Toussaint – piano, producer, arranger
Roy Montrell – guitar
Ernie K-Doe – background vocals (with additional unidentified vocalists)
Pete "Chuck" Badie – bass (probable)


Recorded: November 1, 1961
Studio: Cosimo Recording Studio, New Orleans
Producer/arranger: Allen Toussaint
Writer: Allen Toussaint (using his pseudonym Naomi Neville)

tracklist:

A        I Did My Part
Written-By – N. Neville*
2:29

B        It's Raining
Written-By – N. Neville*
2:08

link

Irma Thomas – Down At Muscle Shoals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Irma Thomas – Down At Muscle Shoals (Album Review, Tracklist & Soul Legacy)

 

 

 

 

Chess records ‎– Chess PLP 6013   Vinyl, Reissue, LP, Compilation

 

 notes:

Japanese release of the 1967 Muscle Shoal sessions.
Issued with obi and two-sided insert containing notes in Japanese & lyrics in English.

Irma Thomas delivers one of her most powerful performances on the album 
Down At Muscle Shoals, a Southern soul masterpiece recorded in the 
legendary environment of Muscle Shoals. Known for its raw emotion and 
tight instrumentation, this record stands as a defining moment in classic soul music.
Recorded in Alabama’s iconic Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, this album captures 
the signature blend of gospel, R&B, and Southern soul that made the region famous. 
Artists like Aretha Franklin and Etta James also recorded in similar environments, 
but Irma Thomas brings her own emotional depth and storytelling power.
The stripped-down production allows her voice to take center stage, backed 
by warm, organic instrumentation that defines the Muscle Shoals sound.
Down At Muscle Shoals stands out as one of the most authentic Southern soul
 recordings of its era. Unlike heavily produced albums, this record relies on 
raw feeling, minimal studio effects, and genuine musicianship.
It also reinforces why Irma Thomas is often called the “Soul Queen of New 
Orleans,” bridging gospel roots with modern soul expression.
f you’re exploring classic soul music, Down At Muscle Shoals is essential listening.
 It captures a moment in time when music was driven by feeling rather than production tricks.
Irma Thomas delivers a timeless performance that still resonates with listeners today.

credits:

Lead artist
Irma Thomas – lead vocals
Rhythm section (core band)
Jimmy Johnson – guitar
Roger Hawkins – drums
David Hood – bass
Spooner Oldham – keyboards (organ, piano)
Horn section
Harrison Calloway – horns
Charles Rose – horns
(+ additional “Muscle Shoals horns” players typical of FAME sessions)
Backing vocals
Jeanie Greene
Donna Jean Thatcher (later Donna Jean Godchaux of Grateful Dead)
Mary Holliday
Sessions cut at FAME Studios, run by Rick Hall, before the musicians
 later formed Muscle Shoals Sound Studio.

recorded at:
Session dates: June–July 1967
Fame Recording Studio, Muscle Shoals, Alabama,1967
Produced By Rick Hall & Staff

tracklist:

A1        We Got Something Good
Written-By – M. Dollison*
    2:31
A2        Good To Me
Written-By – O. Redding*
    2:32
A3        Here I Am, Take Me
Written-By – M. Dollison*
    2:43
A4        Security
Written-By – O. Redding*
    2:14
A5        Let's Do It Over
Written-By – O. Redding*
    2:19
A6        Somewhere Crying
Written By – M. Dollison
Written-By [Uncredited] – Oliver Sain
    2:43
B1        A Woman Will Do Wrong
Written-By – Reid*, Kelly*
    2:48
B2        Yours Until Tomorrow
Written By – O. Redding
Written-By [Uncredited] – Goffin And King
    3:37
B3        I Gave You Everything
Written-By – Hamby*, Woodford*
    2:21
B4        I've Been Loving You Too Long
Written-By – J. Butler*, O. Redding*
    3:00
B5        Don't Make Me Stop Now
Written-By – M. Dollison*
    2:37
B6        Cheater Man
Written By – O. Redding
Written-By [Uncredited] – Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham
    2:28

 

 

link

 

 

 

 

 

 

Irma Thomas ‎– Don't Mess With My Man / Set Me Free 1959

 

 

 

 

 Irma Thomas – Don't Mess With My Man / Set Me Free (Classic Soul Single)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ron records 1959  ‎– 328

 

 notes:

This was Irma Thomas’s debut single and effectively launched her 
career as the “Soul Queen of New Orleans”
Original pressings were issued on Ron (New Orleans) with yellow/black 
or pink/black labels; later reissues often appear with red/black labels

credits:

Recording details (most accepted view)
Probable musicians (reconstructed session lineup)
No official credits exist, but based on who regularly played Ron/Ric sessions:
Piano: Allen Toussaint
Guitar: Justin Adams
Bass: Frank Fields
Drums: likely Earl Palmer–style player, but Palmer himself had largely 
moved to Los Angeles by this point, so attribution is uncertain
Saxophone / horns: possibly players from the Harold Battiste / 
Alvin “Red” Tyler circle (unconfirmed)

Location: Cosimo Recording Studio (Cosimo Matassa’s studio on Rampart Street)
Approx. date: late 1959
Producer – Joe Ruffino
Written-By – D. Labostrie

tracklist:

A Don't Mess With My Man 2:07
B Set Me Free 2:16

 

 

 

link 

 

 

Irma Thomas – Wish Someone Would Care

 

Imperial Records 1964 – LP-12266

credits:

Arranged and Conducted
H.B. Barnum
produced: Eddie Ray
engineer : Eddie Brackett

tracks listing:

A1        Wish Someone Would Care
Written-By – Irma Thomas
2:20
A2        I Need Your Love So Bad
Written-By – H. Dunham*
3:10
A3        Without Love (There Is Nothing)
Written-By – D. Small*
2:57
A4        Please Send Me Someone To Love
Written-By – P. Mayfield*
2:28
A5        Another Woman's Man
Written-By – H.B. Barnum, J. Norman*
3:03
A6        Sufferin' With The Blues
Written-By – Pemberton*
2:18
B1        Time Is On My Side
Written-By – J. Norman*, N. Meade*
2:53
B2        While The City Sleeps
Written-By – Randy Newman
2:25
B3        Straight From The Heart
Written-By – Irma Thomas
2:26
B4        I've Been There
Written-By – G. Usher*, W. Martindale*
2:39
B5        I Need You So
Written-By – I.J. Hunter*
2:21
B6        Break-A-Way
Written-By – J. DeShannon*, S. Sheeley*
2:30

Upl

Pix