The project began with a conversation between Macy Blackman and Allen Toussaint shortly before the latter’s death in 2015. In tribute to Toussaint and his longtime partner, Irma Thomas, Macy Blackman and the Mighty Fines present Shoorah Shoorah: The Songs of Irma Thomas and Allen Toussaint.

The players are Blackman, piano, cornet, guitar and vocals; Nancy Wright, tenor saxophone and vocals; Ken “Snakebite” Jacobs, baritone saxophone; Bing Nathan, upright bass and background vocals; Larry Vann, drums and tambourine; and Kit Robberson, viola da gamba on “With You in Mind.”

The band delivers a playful, sassy take on “Working in the Coal Mine.” The piece is accented by the drum shuffle, the saxophones and Nathan’s bass line. Blackman sings lead.

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