The Permanent Collection: 11 & 12

2x the blues

The Permanent Collection is a weekly log of my favourite tracks in the entire world. This isn’t a ranking, but a space where I can share my deepest music loves with you in a more intimate setting. Paid subscribers get access to the full archive, bonus songs and a playlist.

(Thank you for your kind words around this series! There are different fans of different things I do, whether it’s my radio show, newsletter or playlists. I like that I can provide something different for each of you, wherever you find me)

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011: Irma Thomas - I Need Your Love So Bad (1964)

She’s still alive! That sounds so crass but honestly - I assume most artists of this era have passed on, but when I looked Irma up, she’s still going! (How can I speak to her tho…).

I don’t talk much about blues - for no good reason. It was pivotal to my music adolescence. Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson - it’s funny how these icons managed to infiltrate the ears of a 16-year-old Chinese Australian. Music!

A New Orleans native, you may know Irma Thomas for the brilliant Ruler of My Heart. A warm and powerful timbre, at the time one would have assumed she’d be a household name alongside the Aretha’s of the world, but alas, she’s somewhat niche these days.

“I Need Your Love So Bad” is a hybrid blues/soul song. Irma’s delivery is sultry, and the plucked double bass and whirling organ makes it even more sauntering. But yet it’s a traditional 12-bar blues structure with a CRISP and expressive electric guitar accompaniment.

I’ve been trying to search for the guitarist on this song - as there’s no record of it on the LP’s credits. There’s even a Reddit thread on the same search as me.

I’ll be completely honest with you - the reason this is one of my favourite songs is for the first twenty five seconds. The way that bended guitar string sears into view, ushering Irma to the VIP section of a hazy bar before she graces us with her vocal prowess. Those twenty five seconds are burned into my memory - and exorcises something from my soul.

Thanks for reading this week’s edition! 012 is below for paid subscribers.