When I was mentioning Imperial Records last night (and doing it in disparaging terms), I neglected to mention one of the many influential singers who graced that label before things got out of hand.
One of those was the great Irma Thomas, whose deep-Soul classic Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Unerstand), was big hit for Thomas in 1964 and what we're putting up on the turntable tonight.
Irma Thomas was responsible for so many great soul hits throughout her career that a list of them reads like a set list from a British Invasion band on the mid-1960's. Clearly, she has every reason to claim she is the Queen of New Orleans Soul. I don't think there's a person alive who would contest that.
And tonight you get to hear why.
