New Orleans’ one and only Galactic and the legendary Soul Queen of New Orleans, GRAMMY® Award-winning singer Irma Thomas, have shared the second song from their all-new collaborative album, Audience With The Queen. The buoyant “Where I Belong” puts the listener squarely in Thomas’ world as she reflects on an incredible life in music. From her vocal growls to the bright and joyful tone of her rich contralto, Thomas exudes positive energy and strength against the backdrop of high-energy horn lines. During a spoken word pause sheathed in barely-there effects, Thomas assures us she still loves what she does and has no plans to stop. When she belts out, “I still got a love affair / with the sound of music in the air,” it’s hard not to feel her elation.”
“This is a fun song where Irma sits back and reflects on the life she’s lived and the things that make her content with how she’s lived it,” says Galactic’s Robert Mercurio. “I particularly love the line, ‘I was in Paris drinking Champagne, when you were in diapers and crying.’ It’s funny and light but also so true.”
“This one’s a horn-heavy New Orleans party track built around Miss Irma’s confidence and happiness in knowing she’s right where she should be at this point in her life – making music and singing songs,” says Ben Ellman. “The lyrics couldn’t be more true. Her vocal chops are still amazing and she constantly pushes us to play at a higher level.”
LISTEN TO “WHERE I BELONG”
Audience With The Queen arrives Friday, April 11 on Galactic’s own Tchuop-Zilla Records. It was heralded in January with the release of the fiery first single, “Lady Liberty,” alongside an official music video streaming now on YouTube. Bolstered by a hooky horn riff, growling guitar line, and the unbreakably tight ensemble playing that has long been Galactic’s signature, the poignant, powerful track explores racially fueled violence and social justice, with Thomas singing, “Another black man shot down last night and they keep adding up / Is this the world that we’re living in? The one we raise our children in? / Lord save us all, Lady Liberty took a fall.” Album pre-orders are available now.
Audience With The Queen marks a landmark departure from Galactic’s 10 previous studio LPs, most of which revolved around the band’s core instrumentalists – Ellman (saxophones, harmonica), Mercurio (bass), Stanton Moore (drums), Jeff Raines (guitar) and Rich Vogel (keyboards) – accompanied by a mix of different vocalists. Here, the 83-year-old Thomas retains the spotlight across eight brand new songs written specifically for her famously warm, blues-drenched voice, as well as a reimagined take on Nancy Wilson’s classic “How Glad I Am.” Thomas worked hand in hand with producers Ellman and Mercurio to select and fine-tune the lyrics and other details, finding her own special way inside the story of each song. Audience With The Queen is heralded by today’s premiere of the fiery first single,
“It’s about what’s happening now,” says Irma Thomas, “and now isn’t going anywhere. No protesting is involved, it’s just that what’s happening around us needs to be sung about and heard. I’m making people more aware, through song, to pay attention to what’s going on.”
“The music is super funky on this track but I was also really excited to hear Irma Thomas tackle lyrics about such important social issues,” says Galactic co-founder Robert Mercurio. “The subject matter is a departure for her. She gave me goosebumps when we were recording this song in the studio. Hearing a person of her stature sing about social injustice in America really hits home for me.”
“Irma puts so much energy and heart into her vocal performance on ‘Lady Liberty’ that it makes the lyrics’ message that much more powerful,” says Galactic co-founder Ben Ellman. “You can hear this strength in her tone that just insists we have to look seriously at what’s been happening around us and take a stand for justice. I also love hearing her interpret a song that’s not about love or relationships. It’s different from what people may associate her music with but Irma’s voice is incredibly versatile.”
