![]() ![]() He never pushes or oversells, because he knows the songs tell his story. Toussaint was 71 when these songs were recorded his rich baritone carries the 23 tunes on the CD and DVD with ease and authority. The deluxe two-disc version, the subject of this review, includes a CD and a DVD of Toussaint at the piano, singing his own songs and “Saint James Infirmary,” a New Orleans classic. He began a residency at Joe’s Pub, on Lafayette Street in New York, where in 2009 he recorded the performances that comprise this set. Toussaint had moved to New York by that time, waiting until his house had been rebuilt before returning to New Orleans. They recorded part of the disc in New Orleans, in sessions that were among the first done there following Hurricane Katrina. In 2006, Toussaint collaborated with Elvis Costello on The River in Reverse, an album that brought further acclaim to both. Many rock fans know him from the horn arrangements he wrote for several of the Band’s projects, including Rock of Ages and The Last Waltz. ![]() His piano playing graced recordings by Lee Dorsey, Chris Kenner, and others, and in the ’70s he produced records by the Meters and Dr. John, and worked with artists as diverse as Robert Palmer and Paul McCartney. He made his first record in 1958, but hit his stride in the next few years when his songs were recorded by Ernie K-Doe, Irma Thomas, Aaron Neville, and other New Orleans singers. By no means does this contain all of Toussaint's great songs - some of the versions are by no means close to definitive, either, with the Judds' perfectly fine version of "Working in the Coal Mine" being the main example - but this illustrates his depth and range and, best of all, it's wildly entertaining.Allen Toussaint’s name is familiar to anyone who has followed popular music since the 1960s. ![]() Robert Palmer got seriously funky with "Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley" (assisted by Little Feat leader/guitarist Lowell George, who was a huge Toussaint fan and is heard here covering "What Do You Want the Girl to Do"), Frankie Miller tore into "Shoo Rah," Bonnie Raitt laid down a seductive groove on "What Is Success," and Boz Scaggs ushered "Hercules" toward the slick Southern California coast. Rolling with the Punches does a better job in illustrating the full range of Toussaint's gifts and influence, touching upon classic '60s New Orleans sides (Dorsey's "Holy Cow" Benny Spellman's "Fortune Teller"), how his music got funkier as the '70s began (Ernie K-Doe's "Here Come the Girls" Dorsey's "Occapella," which Toussaint produced Don Covay's "Everything I Do Gonh Be Funky the Pointer Sisters' "Yes We Can"), and, especially, how many rockers and blue-eyed soul singers relied upon his songs. As good as this was, it only scratched the surface (after all, his greatest singer, Lee Dorsey, was nowhere to be found). Ten years prior, EMI released Finger Poppin' and Stompin' Feet: 20 Classic Allen Toussaint Productions for Minit Records 1960-1962, a terrific primer that focused on Toussaint's hitmaking prime as a producer, pianist, and writer for Irma Thomas, Ernie K-Doe, Jessie Hill, Benny Spellman, Aaron Neville, and the Showmen. ![]() They're not the first label to showcase Toussaint's writing. I'll Be Rolling (With the Punches) - Millie JacksonĪllen Toussaint is unquestionably one of the great American songwriters of the 20th century, so it is no surprise Ace Records dedicated a volume of their ongoing Songbook series to the New Orleans R&B titan. What Do You Want the Girl to Do - Lowell George Brickyard Blues (Play Somethin' Sweet) - Maria Muldaur Whoever's Thrilling You (Is Killing Me) - Z.Z. Sneakin' Sally Thru' The Alley - Robert Palmer Everything I Do Gonh Be Funky (From Now On) - Don Covay ![]()
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