After the Rain

This is one disc that captures the depth, experience, and range of this woman who represents the heart and soul of New Orleans. Before going further she is most ably assisted here by a cast of musicians that is nonpareil; among too many to name there is Sonny Landreth on slide guitar and he lets that quiet sensitive side of his playing shine here as he rarely does on his own discs, David Trokanowsky on piano, electric piano and Hammond B3 organ, supports without ever getting in the way, and James Singleton on bass and Stanton Moore, drums, providing the solid foundation that is needed from which she can truly soar. This woman can get at the heart and soul of a song as few others can, and make that song hers. Listen to her version of Make Me A Pallet on Your Floor, a song that has been public domain for years, and done by everybody and their mother. She takes that song and reconstructs it with a strength and resolve that few would even associate with the song. Irma and Scott Billington (who as producer so ably created a comfort zone for Irma to work with and helped assemble this stellar supporting cast) take the traditional dirge, Another Man Done Gone, and add new lyrics to make the song express and reflect the anguish of the separation of families that Katrina has caused. This is an exceptionally moving and remarkable disc and that just flat works at every level.

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Edited by: David N. Pyles
(dnpyles@acousticmusic.com)