The chasm between Thomas and contemporary pop-R&B singers could not be any wider. The overwhelming majority of contemporary singers rely on bombast, and big, tremolo voices. There's no reason to feed any specific names to the lions because everyone is doing it. I don't know if that large, overwrought bluster passes for emotion with today's audiences or if it bludgeons emotion into submission to the point where audiences don't know or don't care about the difference.
Big sounds and vocal calistenics now pass for talent, as well. Listen to people talk about American Idol contestants (I'm not singling any one of them out) or established pop stars and you're likely to hear the following: "Whether or not you like [insert name here], you have to admit they really can sing." I go apoplectic every time I hear that and am overtaken by an immediate urge to hurl someone in front of a speeding bus. Loud shrieking and the ability to trill through 1,000 notes is the vocal equivalent of an Yngwie Malmsteen guitar solo. Can the guy play at speeds that defy the laws of physics? Yes, but damn him for doing it because there's nothing pleasing or special about the music that produces.
After The Rain is beautifully played relying mostly on acoustic instruments. The understated music leaves space for Thomas' deep, rich voice. Her age, experience, restraint, and nuance bring the stories, characters, and emotions in these songs to life.
I created a MayFlower playlist at Fanboy and included on it were songs by Etta James and Irma Thomas. In talking about the James track, I said, "Whenever I get ready to say, “I don’t like R&B,” an alarm goes off in my head. Etta James reminds me of what R&B is, was, and could be again." I could have, and probably should have, repeated those comments when I discussed Thomas' entry, "Flowers."
Article comments
1 - Pico
Mighty fine write-up, Josh. I got this one last summer and I do think it's one of Irma's best.
2 - Josh
I suppose you're in the right geographic region to be all over a release like this, Pico. I wish I had gotten ahold of it sooner. I had to listen to it a few times to let it soak in for me but as soon as I started writing this it all just seemed to flow. I listened to the disc another couple times as I did and my fondness for it grew. It's a wonderful album.