Today, Craft Recordings releases a pair of vinyl reissues from two of the most enduring New Orleans musicians of the modern era:  James Booker's Classified and Irma Thomas' After The Rain.  Both are part of Craft's ongoing celebration of Rounder Records' golden anniversary.

Piano virtuoso James Booker proved himself to be one of the most unique, trail-blazing pianists to come out of New Orleans.  Over the course of his career, he released a No. 3 R&B single "Gonzo," performed alongside Labelle, Ringo Starr, and The Doobie Brothers, and released a pair of solo albums.  The 1982 album Classified was recorded in a single four-hour session featuring a repertoire of originals and New Orleans staples from the likes of Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, and Lloyd Price.  It was also the swan song of a charismatic and troubled musician, as Booker would succumb to his addictions the following year.  Largely praised as one of the great blues-based albums of the decade, Classified has become known as a staple of New Orleans jazz.  For this vinyl reissue, Craft Recordings has elected to release the album in its original sequence, remastered to exacting standards.  Here, listeners will experience the classic album that proves to be just as compelling and electrifying as ever.

Whereas Booker became known as The Piano Prince of New Orleans, Irma Thomas reigns as the city's Soul Queen.  A fixture at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival with a seven-decade career, Thomas has been impressing audiences since she was a teenager.  She's collaborated with Allen Toussaint and Randy Newman and released more than twenty albums.  Her 18th, After The Rain was released in 2006 and won her a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album.  The 13-track album finds Thomas interpreting songs by such luminaries as  Pomus and Shuman, Billy Taylor, Arthur Alexander, and Stevie Wonder and stands as a testament to her home city's strength in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.  For its vinyl debut, After The Rain will be issued as a 45rpm double-LP set, promising the best fidelity possible.

Both of these titles are out today.  Craft promises many more reissues, box sets, and special events to come for the Rounder anniversary, and we'll be sure to keep you up to date!  You can peruse the track listings and place your orders for Irma Thomas' After The Rain and James Booker's Classified below.  For the best deal, consider the bundle available exclusively on Craft Recordings' online shop.

Irma Thomas, After The Rain [2-LP at 45rpm] (originally Rounder Records CD 011661218628, 2006 - reissued Craft Recordings, 2020) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop)

LP 1

Side A:

1. In The Middle Of It All
2. Flowers
3. I Count The Tears

Side B:

1. Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor
2. I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free
3. If You Knew How Much
4. Another Man Done Gone

LP 2

Side A:

1. Till I Can't Take It Anymore
2. These Honey Dos
3. Another Lonely Heart

Side B:

1. Soul Of A Man
2. Stone Survivor
3. Shelter In The Rain

James Booker, Classified (originally Rounder Records LP 2036, 1982 - reissued Craft Recordings, 2020) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Your Local Record Shop)

Side A:

1. All Around The World
2. One For The Highway
3. King Of The Road
4. Professor Longhair Medley: Bald Head/Tipitina
5. Baby Face
6. Swedish Rhapsody

Side B:

1. Classified
2. Lawdy Miss Clawdy
3. Angel Eyes
4. Hound Dog
5. If You're Lonely
6. Three Keys