There has always been a piano at the heart of Irma Thomas's music, and she is accompanied here by twelve of the best pianists around. The Grammy-winning Soul Queen of New Orleans has never sounded better than in this all-acoustic setting. From the soul-searing passion of "Cold Rain" to the bittersweet intimacy of "This Bitter Earth," Irma's enduring warmth and soulfulness prevail, never straying far from the blues. Included are many new songs (including one from Burt Bacharach and Steve Krikorian) and a previously unrecorded Doc Pomus-Dr. John composition.