Wikipedia

The Story of My Life (Irma Thomas album)

The Story of My Life is an album by the American musician Irma Thomas, released in 1997.[1][2] It was her sixth album for Rounder Records.[3]

The Story of My Life
Studio album by
Irma Thomas
Released1997
GenreBlues, soul
LabelRounder
ProducerScott Billington, Irma Thomas
Irma Thomas chronology
Sweet Soul Queen of New Orleans: The Irma Thomas Collection
(1996) 		The Story of My Life
(1997) 		Sing It!
(1998)

Production edit

Recorded in New Orleans, the album was produced by Scott Billington and Thomas.[4][5] Thomas took her time finding material that she thought was appropriate to her taste and age.[6] Dan Penn wrote three of the album's songs during a visit to the recording studio.[7][8] "Cried Too Long" was cowritten by Sarah Brown and Lisa Mednick.[9] "Dr. Feelgood" is a cover of the Aretha Franklin song.[10] George Porter Jr. played bass on the album.[11]

Critical reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [12]
The Atlanta Constitution    [10]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music     [3]

The Atlanta Constitution noted Thomas's "river-deep gospel voice with the emotion-drenched sounds of classic soul."[10] The Globe and Mail wrote that "Thomas's voice has lost some of flexibility and it has deepened, but she still retains the ability to put over good material."[7] The Times Colonist opined that "Thomas is singing better than ever and lovingly caresses these wonderful songs with a rare intelligence and passion."[13] The Austin American-Statesman concluded that some "material veers toward the supper-club slick, though the all-star rhythm section ... never loses the groove."[11] JazzTimes considered the title track to be "a contemporary power pop ballad."[14] The Boston Globe determined that the album "displays how a relaxed, mature artist can handle a range of material."[15]

AllMusic deemed The Story of My Life "one of Thomas' best latter-day albums."[12]

Track listing edit

No.TitleLength
1."No Use Talkin'" 
2."The Story of My Life" 
3."I Count the Teardrops" 
4."Cried Too Long" 
5."Love Don't Get No Better Than This" 
6."Hold Me While I Cry" 
7."I Won't Cry for You" 
8."We All Need Love" 
9."Get Here" 
10."Keep the Faith" 
11."Dr. Feelgood" 

References edit

  1. ^ Wirt, John (7 Mar 1997). "Irma Thomas The Story of My Life". Fun. The Advocate. Baton Rouge. p. 7.
  2. ^ Chapman, Geoff (3 May 1997). "Irma Thomas The Story of My Life". Toronto Star. p. K9.
  3. ^ a b Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press.
  4. ^ Billington, Scott (2022). Making Tracks: A Record Producer’s Southern Roots Music Journey. University Press of Mississippi.
  5. ^ Murphy, Michael (2017). All Dat New Orleans: Eating, Drinking, Listening to Music, Exploring, & Celebrating in the Crescent City. Countryman Press.
  6. ^ "Irma Thomas Biography by Jason Ankeny". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  7. ^ a b Probert, Chris (20 Feb 1997). "Blues". The Globe and Mail. p. E4.
  8. ^ Perkins, Terry (Sep 13, 2000). "Irma Thomas". Riverfront Times.
  9. ^ Orr, Jay (14 Mar 1997). "Shades of Blue". Nashville Banner. p. C3.
  10. ^ a b c "'The Story of My Life' Irma Thomas". The Atlanta Constitution. 20 Feb 1997. p. D4.
  11. ^ a b McLeese, Don (20 Mar 1997). "Irma Thomas 'The Story of My Life'". Austin American-Statesman. p. 18.
  12. ^ a b "The Story of My Life Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  13. ^ Blake, Joseph (15 Mar 1997). "Sound Advice". Times Colonist. p. 1.
  14. ^ Milkowski, Bill (May 1, 1997). "Irma Thomas: The Story of My Life". JazzTimes.
  15. ^ Simon, Clea (13 Feb 1997). "Irma Thomas The Story of My Life". Calendar. The Boston Globe. p. 27.
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