Distilling a fifty (50!) year career down to 15 tracks is virtually impossible, but this collection does serve as a worthwhile introduction to one of soul music’s finest singers of the past century — and includes three previously unreleased cuts to boot. Thomas proved she was still a creative force with her GRAMMY-winning tribute to New Orleans, After the Rain, and throughout her years she has attracted top-shelf accompanists from Allen Toussaint and Dr. John to Doc Pomus and Sonny Landreth. These songwriters and performers knew the voice they had in Thomas and she throws her everything into these tunes. The sad-eyed soul of “What Can I Do” and the extra-pop bounce of the Purify Brothers’ hit “I’m Your Puppet” each bring together a portrait of a strong woman who has survived years of “pop” indifference and continues to bring out the music in its purest form.