Irma Thomas - Take A Look (1966)

Irma Thomas (née Lee; born February 18, 1941)

”Time Is On My Side”, which was covered by the Rolling Stones, after they heard her singing it on tour in London. She was so upset at them taking the song, which was actually a cover by her as well, she didn’t sing the song on stage again for some 20 years...

Irma Thomas, "Time Is On My Side"

1965.

That plunky guitar and moving bass line.

Mick Jagger & Irma Thomas singing Time Is On My Side together onstage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival earlier today!

Queen Irma with her little back up band

Irma Thomas - Yours Until Tomorrow (1967)

Written by Goffin-King and recorded at Muscle Shoals in 1967, Chess records foolishly didn’t release this until 1984.  Incredible southern soul - Irma just kills it.

💙🤍💙🤍 Time Is On My Side - Irma Thomas

She released this in June 1964, a few months before the Rolling Stones released their versions in September 1964 and January 1965 . . . Love all of the versions, but this performance is simply stellar!

Always happy to return to The AllWays Lounge & Cabaret, our New Orleans home, especially this week during the build-up to Mardi Gras and alongside my longtime dance party co-ho, the incredible Amber Martin. Advance tix here

People can talk about Jazz Fest being overrated all they want and as someone who didn’t go this year, I get it. A lot of it has become more about business than culture… but last night, man, how magical it must have been to witness Irma Thomas on stage with Mick Jagger and the Stones in 2024

+

It was magical! Stones fans of all ages, octogenarians and septuagenarians out there rocking out with their kids and grandkids. I’m a local and still go to JF every year at least 2-3 days. It’s a bargain for the amount of great music you can see all around the Fairgrounds and the endless sampling of great food. As a New Orleanian who loves our Soul Queen, I got a lot of satisfaction seeing Irma up there with Mick and the Boys singing the song she made famous before they had ever thought about recording it, “Time Is On My Side”. And the local girl, Chanel Haynes, singing backup with Mick, sounded great and looked like a young Tina Turner up there. Wonderful day.

+

“What is my definition of jazz? 'Safe sex of the highest order.” ― Kurt Vonnegut

For tonight's musical interlude, this classic from the Soul Queen of New Orleans.

Irma Thomas 

Photo by Ken Hoge

Queen Irma