The official Soul Queen of New Orleans, Irma Thomas has gracefully matured from the belter who literally 50 years ago (1958) told her romantic rivals, "You Can Have My Husband (But Please Don't Mess With My Man)," to a caresser who engages the violins and doesn't shed a shred of dignity on the bittersweet "Another Lonely Heart." A survivor of not one but two hurricanes (Camille and Katrina, the first one arguably tougher, as it temporarily short-circuited her career), Thomas is equally comfortable with soaring blues and gospel gravitas, wry, sexy mama send-ups, and, her stock-in-trade, testimony about the day-to-day triumphs earned and tears dropped. At the Dakota last time through she was engaging and self-assured, took requests, and played a generous set that left everyone wanting more. According to the various label and ticket sites, this Zoo gig is the only spot on her concert calendar this summer—don't be surprised if she pulls something out from her upcoming Simply Grand CD, due in August. The stellar and simpatico opener is James Hunter, who plays retro blue-eyed soul with a passion and panache that seems steeped in the mid-60s but conveys its immediacy the moment it hits your ears.