Allen Toussaint
Encyclopedia
Allen Toussaint (ˈtuːseɪnt; born January 14, 1938) is an American
musician
, composer
, record producer
, and influential figure in New Orleans R&B.
Many of Toussaint's songs have become familiar through numerous cover versions, including "Working in the Coalmine", "Ride Your Pony", "Fortune Teller
", "Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)
", "Southern Nights
," "Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky", "I'll Take a Melody" and "Mother-in-Law
".
in the New Orleans
neighborhood of Gert Town
, where his mother welcomed and fed all manner of musicians as they practiced and recorded with her son. After a lucky break at age 17 in which he stood in for Huey Smith at a performance with Earl King
's band in Prichard
, Alabama
, Toussaint was introduced to a group of local musicians who performed regularly at a night club on LaSalle street Uptown; they were known as the Dew Drop Set.
Initially, he recorded for RCA Victor as Al Tousan and recorded an album of instrumentals, including the song "Java
", which years later became a big hit for Al Hirt
(also on RCA).
In his early years Toussaint worked mainly for Joe Banashak's Minit Records
and Instant Records
, but after Minit was sold to its distributor, he teamed up with Marshall Sehorn, starting their own record label variously known as Tou-Sea, Sansu, Deesu or Kansu. In 1973 Toussaint and Sehorn created the Sea-Saint recording studio in the Gentilly
neighborhood of New Orleans.
, Irma Thomas
, Art and Aaron Neville
, The Showmen
, and Lee Dorsey
. Some of his songs from this period were published under the pseudonym "Naomi Neville", such as "Ruler of My Heart", recorded by Irma Thomas
. The song would go on to be recorded by Otis Redding
under the title "Pain in My Heart". In 1964, "A Certain Girl" (originally by Ernie K-Doe) was the B-side of the first single release by The Yardbirds
; the song was released again in 1980 by Warren Zevon
. A two-sided 1962 hit by Benny Spellman
comprised "Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette)
," later covered by The O'Jays
and Ringo Starr
, and the simple but effective "Fortune Teller
," which was covered by many 1960s rock groups including The Rolling Stones
, The Nashville Teens
, The Who
, The Hollies
, ex-Searchers
founder member Tony Jackson
and more recently (2007) by Robert Plant
and Alison Krauss
on Raising Sand
. A significant early influence was the second-line piano style of Professor Longhair
.
Toussaint's piano and arrangements show up on hundreds of records during the early 1960s on records by Lee Dorsey
, Chris Kenner
, and scores of other artists.
Starting in the 1970s, he switched gears to a funkier sound, writing and producing for The Meters
, Dr John, and the Wild Tchoupitoulas Mardi Gras Indians
tribe. He also began to work with non-New Orleans artists such as B.J. Thomas, Robert Palmer, Willy DeVille
, Sandy Denny
, Elkie Brooks
, Solomon Burke
, Scottish soul singer Frankie Miller
and southern rocker Mylon LeFevre
. He arranged horn music for The Band
's 1971 album Cahoots, plus Rock of Ages
and The Last Waltz
film, in conjunction with arranging horn parts for their concert repertoire. Boz Scaggs
recorded Toussaint's "What Do You Want the Girl to Do?" on his 1976 album Silk Degrees
, which reached #2 on the U.S. pop albums chart
. In 1976 he also collaborated with John Mayall
on the album Notice to Appear.
Toussaint also launched his own solo career, which peaked in the '70s with the albums From a Whisper to a Scream and Southern Nights
. It was during this time that he teamed with Labelle
, and produced their highly acclaimed 1975 album Nightbirds
, which spawned the Number One hit, "Lady Marmalade
". The same year, Toussaint collaborated with Paul McCartney
and Wings
for their hit album Venus and Mars
. Two years later, Glen Campbell
covered Toussaint's "Southern Nights
" and carried the song to Number One on the Pop, Country and Adult-Contemporary Charts. Along with many of his contemporaries, Toussaint found that interest in his compositions was rekindled when his work began to be sampled
by hip hop
artists in the 1980s and 1990s. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
in 1998 and, in 2009, The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame
.
in the wake of the Hurricane Katrina
disaster. Instead, Toussaint weathered the storm in the Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel. After the hurricane Toussaint left New Orleans for Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and eventually settled in New York City, where he is currently living while his house is being rebuilt. His first television appearance after the hurricane was on the September 7, 2005 episode of The Late Show with David Letterman, sitting in with Paul Shaffer
and his CBS Orchestra
. Toussaint performed regularly at Joe's Pub in New York City through 2009.
The River in Reverse
, Toussaint's collaborative album with Elvis Costello
, was released on 29 May 2006 in the UK on the Verve
label, by Universal Classics and Jazz UCJ. It was recorded in Hollywood and, notably, in Toussaint's native New Orleans as the first major studio session to take place after Hurricane Katrina
.
In 2007, Toussaint performed a duet with Paul McCartney
of a song by fellow New Orleans musician and resident Fats Domino
, "I Want to Walk You Home
", as their contribution to Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino
(Vanguard
).
In 2008, Toussaint's song "Sweet Touch of Love" was used in a deodorant commercial for the Axe (Lynx) brand. The commercial won a Gold Lion at the 2008 Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival
. In February 2008, Toussaint appeared on Le Show
, the Harry Shearer
show broadcast on NPR
via KCRW
.
Toussaint appeared in London in August 2008, where he performed a gig at The Roundhouse
. In October 2008 he performed at Festival New Orleans at The O2
alongside acts such as Dr. John and Buckwheat Zydeco
. Sponsored by Quint Davis
of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
and Philip Anschutz
, the event was intended to promote New Orleans music and culture and to revive the once-lucrative tourist trade that had been almost completely lost following the flooding of Hurricane Katrina. After his second performance at the festival, Toussaint appeared alongside then-Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana, Mitch Landrieu
. The following day, he performed again in London at the NFL Tailgate Party.
Toussaint performed a taping for the popular PBS series Austin City Limits
on June 30, 2009 as part of the show's 35th anniversary season. He played instrumentals from his most recent CD, "The Bright Mississippi", as well as many songs from his back catalog. He performed with Levon Helm
and his band on Imus in the Morning
on October 9, 2009. In December 2009 he was featured on Elvis Costello
's "Spectacle" program on the Sundance Channel, singing "A Certain Girl". Toussaint appeared in Eric Clapton
's 2010 album, Clapton, in two Fats Waller
covers, "My Very Good Friend the Milkman" and "When Somebody Thinks You're Wonderful".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, and influential figure in New Orleans R&B.
Many of Toussaint's songs have become familiar through numerous cover versions, including "Working in the Coalmine", "Ride Your Pony", "Fortune Teller
Fortune Teller (song)
"Fortune Teller" is a song written by Allen Toussaint under the pseudonym Naomi Neville and first recorded by Benny Spellman...
", "Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)
Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)
Play Something Sweet is a song by Allen Toussaint that has been covered by Frankie Miller, B.J. Thomas and Three Dog Night, among others.-History:...
", "Southern Nights
Southern Nights (song)
"Southern Nights" is the title of a song written by Allen Toussaint and most famously recorded by American country music singer Glen Campbell. It was released in January 1977 as the lead single from the album of the same name...
," "Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky", "I'll Take a Melody" and "Mother-in-Law
Mother-in-Law (song)
"Mother-in-Law" is the name of a hit 1961 single by Ernie K-Doe. The song was a number-one hit in the U.S. on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts.. The song was written and produced by Allen Toussaint who also played the piano solo. It was issued by Minit Records...
".
Early life and career
Toussaint grew up in a shotgun houseShotgun house
The shotgun house is a narrow rectangular domestic residence, usually no more than 12 feet wide, with doors at each end. It was the most popular style of house in the Southern United States from the end of the American Civil War , through the 1920s. Alternate names include shotgun shack,...
in the New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
neighborhood of Gert Town
Gert Town, New Orleans
Gert Town is a neighborhood of the city of New Orleans. Local traditional definitions of the boundaries vary; this article discusses those designated by the New Orleans City Planning Commission, which includes the right across the Zion City area, which many locals consider a separate neighborhood...
, where his mother welcomed and fed all manner of musicians as they practiced and recorded with her son. After a lucky break at age 17 in which he stood in for Huey Smith at a performance with Earl King
Earl King
This article is about the musical artist. For the Earl King convicted of murdering a ship's officer, see Earl King, Ernest Ramsay, and Frank Conner...
's band in Prichard
Prichard, Alabama
Prichard is a city in Mobile County, Alabama, in the United States.Prichard borders the north side of Mobile, as well as the Mobile suburbs of Chickasaw, Alabama, Saraland, Alabama, and the unincorporated sections of Eight Mile, Alabama. As of 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, Toussaint was introduced to a group of local musicians who performed regularly at a night club on LaSalle street Uptown; they were known as the Dew Drop Set.
Initially, he recorded for RCA Victor as Al Tousan and recorded an album of instrumentals, including the song "Java
Java (composition)
"Java" is an instrumental adaptation from a 1958 LP of piano compositions, The Wild Sounds of New Orleans, by Tousan, also known as New Orleans producer/songwriter Allen Toussaint...
", which years later became a big hit for Al Hirt
Al Hirt
Al Hirt was an American trumpeter and bandleader. He is best remembered for his million selling recordings of "Java", and the accompanying album, Honey in the Horn . His nicknames included 'Jumbo' and 'The Round Mound of Sound'...
(also on RCA).
In his early years Toussaint worked mainly for Joe Banashak's Minit Records
Minit Records
Minit Records was a record label originally based in New Orleans and founded by Joe Banashak. After making a distribution deal with Imperial Records, the label released its biggest hit, the #1 Mother-in Law by Ernie K-Doe. A number of Allen Toussaint productions were issued on Minit, including...
and Instant Records
Instant Records
Instant Records was a record label based in New Orleans, Louisiana which was founded in 1961 by Joe Banashak and Irving Smith. It was originally called Valiant Records until another Valiant Records threatened to sue and forced the label's renaming to Instant Records. The most successful artist on...
, but after Minit was sold to its distributor, he teamed up with Marshall Sehorn, starting their own record label variously known as Tou-Sea, Sansu, Deesu or Kansu. In 1973 Toussaint and Sehorn created the Sea-Saint recording studio in the Gentilly
Gentilly, New Orleans
Gentilly is a broad, predominantly middle-class and racially diverse section of New Orleans, Louisiana. The first part of Gentilly to be developed was along the Gentilly Ridge, a long stretch of high ground along the former banks of Bayou Gentilly...
neighborhood of New Orleans.
Success in the 1960s and 1970s
In the early 1960s he wrote and produced a string of hits for New Orleans R&B artists such as Ernie K-DoeErnie K-Doe
Ernie K-Doe , born Ernest Kador, Jr., was an African American rhythm and blues singer best known for his 1961 hit single "Mother-in-Law" which went to #1 on the Billboard pop chart in the U.S.-Early career:...
, Irma Thomas
Irma Thomas
Irma Thomas is an American Grammy Award-winning soul and rhythm and blues singer from New Orleans. She is known as the "Soul Queen of New Orleans"....
, Art and Aaron Neville
The Neville Brothers
The Neville Brothers, an American R&B and soul group, was formed in 1977 in New Orleans, Louisiana.-History:The group notion started in 1976, when the four brothers of the Neville family, Art , Charles , Aaron , and Cyril The Neville Brothers, an American R&B and soul group, was formed in 1977 in...
, The Showmen
The Showmen
The Showmen were a New Orleans based American doo-wop and R&B group. formed in 1961. They are best remembered for their track, "It Will Stand", issued on Minit Records. "It Will Stand" reached #61 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961, and when re-released in 1964 re-charted and reached #80...
, and Lee Dorsey
Lee Dorsey
Lee Dorsey was an African American pop/R&B singer during the 1960s. Much of his work was produced by Allen Toussaint with instrumental backing provided by the Meters.-Career:...
. Some of his songs from this period were published under the pseudonym "Naomi Neville", such as "Ruler of My Heart", recorded by Irma Thomas
Irma Thomas
Irma Thomas is an American Grammy Award-winning soul and rhythm and blues singer from New Orleans. She is known as the "Soul Queen of New Orleans"....
. The song would go on to be recorded by Otis Redding
Otis Redding
Otis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B...
under the title "Pain in My Heart". In 1964, "A Certain Girl" (originally by Ernie K-Doe) was the B-side of the first single release by The Yardbirds
The Yardbirds
- Current :* Chris Dreja - rhythm guitar, backing vocals * Jim McCarty - drums, backing vocals * Ben King - lead guitar * David Smale - bass, backing vocals...
; the song was released again in 1980 by Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren William Zevon was an American rock singer-songwriter and musician noted for including his sometimes sardonic opinions of life in his musical lyrics, composing songs that were sometimes humorous and often had political or historical themes.Zevon's work has often been praised by well-known...
. A two-sided 1962 hit by Benny Spellman
Benny Spellman
Benny Spellman was an American rhythm and blues singer, best known for his 1962 hit "Lipstick Traces ," written by Allen Toussaint and the original version of "Fortune Teller", covered by The Rolling Stones among others. "Lipstick Traces" reached #28 on the US Billboard Black singles chart and #80...
comprised "Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette)
Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette)
"Lipstick Traces " is a song first recorded by New Orleans singer Benny Spellman in 1962. It was written by Allen Toussaint under the pseudonym Naomi Neville. The song became Spellman's only hit record peaking at number 28 on the Billboard R&B chart and number 80 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart...
," later covered by The O'Jays
The O'Jays
The O'Jays are an American R&B group from Canton, Ohio, formed in 1963 and originally consisting of Eddie Levert , Walter Williams , William Powell , Bobby Massey and Bill Isles. The O'Jays were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004, and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005...
and Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr
Richard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
, and the simple but effective "Fortune Teller
Fortune Teller (song)
"Fortune Teller" is a song written by Allen Toussaint under the pseudonym Naomi Neville and first recorded by Benny Spellman...
," which was covered by many 1960s rock groups including The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, The Nashville Teens
The Nashville Teens
The Nashville Teens are a British pop band formed in Weybridge, Surrey in Summer 1962.-History:Arthur Sharp began his career in music as the manager of Aerco Records in Woking, Surrey...
, The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
, The Hollies
The Hollies
The Hollies are an English pop and rock group, formed in Manchester in the early 1960s, though most of the band members are from throughout East Lancashire. Known for their distinctive vocal harmony style, they became one of the leading British groups of the 1960s and 1970s...
, ex-Searchers
The Searchers (band)
The Searchers are an English beat group, who emerged as part of the 1960s Merseybeat scene along with The Beatles, The Fourmost, The Merseybeats, The Swinging Blue Jeans, and Gerry & The Pacemakers....
founder member Tony Jackson
Tony Jackson (bass player)
Tony Jackson was an English bass guitar player and singer who was a member of The Searchers.-Biography:...
and more recently (2007) by Robert Plant
Robert Plant
Robert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
and Alison Krauss
Alison Krauss
Alison Maria Krauss is an American bluegrass-country singer, songwriter and fiddler. She entered the music industry at an early age, winning local contests by the age of ten and recording for the first time at fourteen. She signed with Rounder Records in 1985 and released her first solo album in...
on Raising Sand
Raising Sand
Raising Sand is a collaboration album by rock singer Robert Plant and bluegrass-country singer Alison Krauss. It was released on October 23, 2007 by Rounder Records...
. A significant early influence was the second-line piano style of Professor Longhair
Professor Longhair
Professor Longhair was a New Orleans blues singer and pianist...
.
Toussaint's piano and arrangements show up on hundreds of records during the early 1960s on records by Lee Dorsey
Lee Dorsey
Lee Dorsey was an African American pop/R&B singer during the 1960s. Much of his work was produced by Allen Toussaint with instrumental backing provided by the Meters.-Career:...
, Chris Kenner
Chris Kenner
Chris Kenner was a New Orleans R&B singer and songwriter, best known for two hit singles in the early 1960s, that became staples in the repertoires of many other musicians.-Biography:...
, and scores of other artists.
Starting in the 1970s, he switched gears to a funkier sound, writing and producing for The Meters
The Meters
The Meters are an American funk band based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Meters performed and recorded their own music from the late 1960s until 1977...
, Dr John, and the Wild Tchoupitoulas Mardi Gras Indians
Mardi Gras Indians
Mardi Gras Indians are African-American Carnival revelers in New Orleans, Louisiana, who dress up for Mardi Gras in suits influenced by Native American ceremonial apparel.Collectively, their organizations are called "tribes"...
tribe. He also began to work with non-New Orleans artists such as B.J. Thomas, Robert Palmer, Willy DeVille
Willy DeVille
Willy DeVille was an American singer and songwriter. During his thirty-five year career, first with his band Mink DeVille and later on his own, Deville created original songs rooted in traditional American musical styles. He worked with collaborators from across the spectrum of contemporary...
, Sandy Denny
Sandy Denny
Sandy Denny , born Alexandra Elene Maclean Denny, was an English singer and songwriter, perhaps best known as the lead singer for the folk rock band Fairport Convention...
, Elkie Brooks
Elkie Brooks
Elkie Brooks is an English singer, formerly a vocalist with Vinegar Joe, and later a solo artist. Elkie has been nominated twice for Brit Awards' top female singer. She is known for her powerful husky voice...
, Solomon Burke
Solomon Burke
Solomon Burke was an American singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, mortician, and an archbishop of the United House of Prayer For All People. Burke was known as "King Solomon", the "King of Rock 'n' Soul", and as the "Bishop of Soul", and described as "the Muhammad Ali of soul", and as "the most...
, Scottish soul singer Frankie Miller
Frankie Miller
Frankie Miller is a Scottish rock singer-songwriter, who had his biggest success in the 1970s. Miller was raised at Colvend Street, Glasgow with his parents, Cathy and Frank, and elder sisters Letty and Anne. Miller attended Sacred Heart Primary school. He was an altar boy in Sacred Heart Chapel...
and southern rocker Mylon LeFevre
Mylon LeFevre
Mylon LeFevre is an American Christian music singer, who was the leader of the Grammy Award-winning band Mylon and Broken Heart. He is a member of the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame. He currently travels around the United States, ministering, teaching and singing...
. He arranged horn music for The Band
The Band
The Band was an acclaimed and influential roots rock group. The original group consisted of Rick Danko , Garth Hudson , Richard Manuel , and Robbie Robertson , and Levon Helm...
's 1971 album Cahoots, plus Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages (album)
-Side two:-Side three:-Side four:-2001 bonus disc track listing:-Personnel:* Rick Danko - vocal, bass, violin* Levon Helm - vocal, drums, mandolin* Garth Hudson - organ, piano, accordion, tenor saxophone and soprano saxophone solos...
and The Last Waltz
The Last Waltz
The Last Waltz was a concert by the rock group The Band, held on American Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1976, at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco...
film, in conjunction with arranging horn parts for their concert repertoire. Boz Scaggs
Boz Scaggs
William Royce "Boz" Scaggs is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. He gained fame in the 1970s with several Top 20 hit singles in the United States, along with the #2 album, Silk Degrees. Scaggs continues to write, record music and tour.-Early life and career:Scaggs was born in Canton,...
recorded Toussaint's "What Do You Want the Girl to Do?" on his 1976 album Silk Degrees
Silk Degrees
Silk Degrees is the seventh album by Boz Scaggs, released on the Columbia Records label in 1976. The album reached #2 on the U.S. pop albums chart.-Reception:The album marked Scaggs' commercial zenith, mainly spearheaded by the R&B/Soul hit "Lowdown"...
, which reached #2 on the U.S. pop albums chart
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
. In 1976 he also collaborated with John Mayall
John Mayall
John Mayall, OBE is an English blues singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, whose musical career spans over fifty years...
on the album Notice to Appear.
Toussaint also launched his own solo career, which peaked in the '70s with the albums From a Whisper to a Scream and Southern Nights
Southern Nights (Allen Toussaint album)
Southern Nights is a 1975 R&B concept album by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Allen Toussaint. Seminal to the development of New Orleans R&B, Toussaint incorporated into the album elements of funk and soul music, while, according to Allmusic, suggesting neo-psychedelia...
. It was during this time that he teamed with Labelle
Labelle
Labelle is an American all female singing group who were a popular vocal group of the 1960s and 1970s. The group was formed after the disbanding of two rival girl groups in the Philadelphia/Trenton areas, the Ordettes and the Del-Capris, forming as a new version of the former group, later changing...
, and produced their highly acclaimed 1975 album Nightbirds
Nightbirds
Nightbirds is an acclaimed album by the all-female singing group Labelle, released in 1974 on the Epic label. Notable for their biggest hit, the number-one song, "Lady Marmalade", it became the group's most successful album to date.-Background:...
, which spawned the Number One hit, "Lady Marmalade
Lady Marmalade
"Lady Marmalade" was also covered by Italian pop star Sabrina. It was released in 1987 as the album's second single by Baby Records. In some countries, including France and the Netherlands, the song was known as "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi? " and was released in 1988.-Track listings:7" maxi#...
". The same year, Toussaint collaborated with Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
and Wings
Wings (band)
Wings were a British-American rock group formed in 1971 by Paul McCartney, Denny Laine and Linda McCartney that remained active until 1981....
for their hit album Venus and Mars
Venus and Mars
Venus and Mars is the fourth album by Wings. Released as the follow-up to the enormously successful Band on the Run, Venus and Mars continued Wings' string of success and would prove a springboard for a year-long worldwide tour...
. Two years later, Glen Campbell
Glen Campbell
Glen Travis Campbell is an American country music singer, guitarist, television host and occasional actor. He is best known for a series of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as for hosting a variety show called The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on CBS television.During his 50 years in show...
covered Toussaint's "Southern Nights
Southern Nights (song)
"Southern Nights" is the title of a song written by Allen Toussaint and most famously recorded by American country music singer Glen Campbell. It was released in January 1977 as the lead single from the album of the same name...
" and carried the song to Number One on the Pop, Country and Adult-Contemporary Charts. Along with many of his contemporaries, Toussaint found that interest in his compositions was rekindled when his work began to be sampled
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
by hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
artists in the 1980s and 1990s. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
in 1998 and, in 2009, The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame
Louisiana Music Hall of Fame
The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame is an IRS certified 501 non-profit organization based in the state capitol of Baton Rouge, La., that seeks to preserve Louisiana's rich music culture and heritage and to further educate its citizens and people worldwide about the state’s unique role contributing...
.
2000s
Contrary to rumors at the time, Toussaint did not take refuge at the Louisiana SuperdomeLouisiana Superdome
The Mercedes-Benz Superdome, previously known as the Louisiana Superdome and colloquially known as the Superdome, is a sports and exhibition arena located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA...
in the wake of the Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
disaster. Instead, Toussaint weathered the storm in the Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel. After the hurricane Toussaint left New Orleans for Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and eventually settled in New York City, where he is currently living while his house is being rebuilt. His first television appearance after the hurricane was on the September 7, 2005 episode of The Late Show with David Letterman, sitting in with Paul Shaffer
Paul Shaffer
Paul Allen Wood Shaffer, CM is a Canadian musician, actor, voice actor, author, comedian, and composer who has been David Letterman's sidekick since 1982.-Early years:...
and his CBS Orchestra
CBS Orchestra
The CBS Orchestra is the house band, led by Paul Shaffer, that plays for David Letterman's CBS late-night talk show, Late Show with David Letterman...
. Toussaint performed regularly at Joe's Pub in New York City through 2009.
The River in Reverse
The River in Reverse
The River in Reverse is a 2006 collaboration between Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint.It received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album.-Track listing:All songs written by Allen Toussaint unless otherwise indicated.# "On Your Way Down" – 4:54...
, Toussaint's collaborative album with Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
, was released on 29 May 2006 in the UK on the Verve
Verve Records
Verve Records is an American jazz record label now owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded by Norman Granz in 1956, absorbing the catalogues of his earlier labels, Clef Records and Norgran Records , and material which had been licensed to Mercury previously.-Jazz and folk origins:The Verve...
label, by Universal Classics and Jazz UCJ. It was recorded in Hollywood and, notably, in Toussaint's native New Orleans as the first major studio session to take place after Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
.
In 2007, Toussaint performed a duet with Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
of a song by fellow New Orleans musician and resident Fats Domino
Fats Domino
Antoine Dominique "Fats" Domino, Jr. is an American R&B and rock and roll pianist and singer-songwriter. He was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Creole was his first language....
, "I Want to Walk You Home
I Want to Walk You Home
"I Want to Walk You Home" is a July 1959 R&B/pop single by Fats Domino. The single would be the last of Domino's releases to hit number one on the R&B chart...
", as their contribution to Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino
Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino
Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino is a 2007 tribute album by various artists to Fats Domino, issued by Vanguard Records.-History:In contrast to an earlier tribute album, That's Fats: A Tribute to Fats Domino , which mostly contained previously released cover versions, Goin' Home: A Tribute to...
(Vanguard
Vanguard Records
Vanguard Records is a record label set up in 1950 by brothers Maynard and Seymour Solomon in New York. It started as a classical label, but is perhaps best known for its catalogue of recordings by a number of pivotal folk and blues artists from the 1960s; the Bach Guild was a subsidiary...
).
In 2008, Toussaint's song "Sweet Touch of Love" was used in a deodorant commercial for the Axe (Lynx) brand. The commercial won a Gold Lion at the 2008 Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival
Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival
The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is a global event for those working in advertising and related fields. The seven-day festival, incorporating the awarding of the Lions awards, is held yearly at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes, France...
. In February 2008, Toussaint appeared on Le Show
Le Show
Le Show is a weekly syndicated public radio show hosted by satirist Harry Shearer.The program is a hodgepodge of satirical news commentary, music, and sketch comedy...
, the Harry Shearer
Harry Shearer
Harry Julius Shearer is an American actor, comedian, writer, voice artist, musician, author, radio host and director. He is known for his long-running role on The Simpsons, his work on Saturday Night Live, the comedy band Spinal Tap and his radio program Le Show...
show broadcast on NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
via KCRW
KCRW
KCRW is a public radio station broadcasting from the campus of Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, California, carrying a mix of National Public Radio news, talk radio and freeform music format. The general manager of KCRW is Jennifer Ferro...
.
Toussaint appeared in London in August 2008, where he performed a gig at The Roundhouse
The Roundhouse
The Roundhouse is a Grade II* listed former railway engine shed in Chalk Farm, London, England, which has been converted into a performing arts and concert venue. It was originally built in 1847 as a roundhouse , a circular building containing a railway turntable, but was only used for railway...
. In October 2008 he performed at Festival New Orleans at The O2
The O2 (London)
The O2, visually typeset in branding as The O2, is a large entertainment district on the Greenwich peninsula in South East London, England, including an indoor arena, a music club, a Cineworld cinema, an exhibition space, piazzas, bars and restaurants...
alongside acts such as Dr. John and Buckwheat Zydeco
Buckwheat Zydeco
Buckwheat Zydeco is the stage name of Stanley Dural, Jr. , an American accordionist and zydeco musician. He is one of the few zydeco artists to achieve mainstream success...
. Sponsored by Quint Davis
Quint Davis
Quint Davis is an American festival producer and director based in New Orleans. He is best known as the producer of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival founded by George Wein. Davis has been involved in the production of the event from its start in 1970. He is the CEO of Festival...
of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, often known as Jazz Fest, is an annual celebration of the music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana...
and Philip Anschutz
Philip Anschutz
Philip Frederick Anschutz is an American entrepreneur. Anschutz bought out his father's drilling company in 1961 and earned large returns in Wyoming. He has invested in stocks, real estate and railroads...
, the event was intended to promote New Orleans music and culture and to revive the once-lucrative tourist trade that had been almost completely lost following the flooding of Hurricane Katrina. After his second performance at the festival, Toussaint appeared alongside then-Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana, Mitch Landrieu
Mitch Landrieu
Mitchell Joseph "Mitch" Landrieu is the Mayor of New Orleans, former Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana, and a member of the Landrieu family. Landrieu is a member of the Democratic Party and a Roman Catholic. He is the son of former New Orleans mayor and Secretary of the United States Department of...
. The following day, he performed again in London at the NFL Tailgate Party.
Toussaint performed a taping for the popular PBS series Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits is an American public television music program recorded live in Austin, Texas by Public Broadcasting Service Public television member station KLRU, and broadcast on many PBS stations around the United States...
on June 30, 2009 as part of the show's 35th anniversary season. He played instrumentals from his most recent CD, "The Bright Mississippi", as well as many songs from his back catalog. He performed with Levon Helm
Levon Helm
Mark Lavon "Levon" Helm , is an American rock multi-instrumentalist and actor who achieved fame as the drummer and frequent lead and backing vocalist for The Band....
and his band on Imus in the Morning
Imus in the Morning
Imus in the Morning is an American radio show hosted by Don Imus on Cumulus Media Networks , and simulcast for television on Fox Business Network....
on October 9, 2009. In December 2009 he was featured on Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
's "Spectacle" program on the Sundance Channel, singing "A Certain Girl". Toussaint appeared in Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE, is an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and...
's 2010 album, Clapton, in two Fats Waller
Fats Waller
Fats Waller , born Thomas Wright Waller, was a jazz pianist, organist, composer, singer, and comedic entertainer...
covers, "My Very Good Friend the Milkman" and "When Somebody Thinks You're Wonderful".
Solo
- The Wild Sound of New Orleans (1958)
- From a Whisper to a Scream (1970)
- ToussaintToussaint (album)Toussaint is a 1971 solo funk, jazz and soul album by Allen Toussaint, his second solo album and his first since the 1950s.-Track listing:All songs written by Allen Toussaint unless otherwise indicated.# "From A Whisper To A Scream" – 3:27...
(1971) - Life, Love And Faith (1972)
- Southern NightsSouthern Nights (Allen Toussaint album)Southern Nights is a 1975 R&B concept album by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Allen Toussaint. Seminal to the development of New Orleans R&B, Toussaint incorporated into the album elements of funk and soul music, while, according to Allmusic, suggesting neo-psychedelia...
(1975) - Motion (1978)
- I Love A Carnival Ball, Mr Mardi Gras Starring Allen Toussaint (1987)
- The Allen Toussaint Collection (1991)
- The Wild Sound of New Orleans: The Complete 'Tousan' Sessions (1994)
- Connected (1996)
- A New Orleans Christmas (1997)
- A Taste Of New Orleans (1999)
- Finger Poppin' & Stompin' Feet (2002)
- Allen Toussaint's Jazzity Project: Going Places (2004)
- The Complete Warner Bros. Recordings (2005)
- I Believe To My Soul (2005)
- The River in ReverseThe River in ReverseThe River in Reverse is a 2006 collaboration between Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint.It received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album.-Track listing:All songs written by Allen Toussaint unless otherwise indicated.# "On Your Way Down" – 4:54...
, with Elvis CostelloElvis CostelloElvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
(2006) - The Bright Mississippi (2009)
Other Contributions
- Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats DominoGoin' Home: A Tribute to Fats DominoGoin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino is a 2007 tribute album by various artists to Fats Domino, issued by Vanguard Records.-History:In contrast to an earlier tribute album, That's Fats: A Tribute to Fats Domino , which mostly contained previously released cover versions, Goin' Home: A Tribute to...
(VanguardVanguard RecordsVanguard Records is a record label set up in 1950 by brothers Maynard and Seymour Solomon in New York. It started as a classical label, but is perhaps best known for its catalogue of recordings by a number of pivotal folk and blues artists from the 1960s; the Bach Guild was a subsidiary...
, 2007); duet, with Paul McCartneyPaul McCartneySir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
, of "I Want to Walk You HomeI Want to Walk You Home"I Want to Walk You Home" is a July 1959 R&B/pop single by Fats Domino. The single would be the last of Domino's releases to hit number one on the R&B chart...
"
Video
- Putting the River in ReversePutting the River in ReversePutting the River in Reverse is a documentary film on the first major recording session in New Orleans, USA, since Hurricane Katrina. It features Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint. It was directed by Matthew Buzzell and premiered at the 2006 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival. It also played at...
(DVD) (2006) - Piano Players Rarely Ever Play Together (DVD) Stevenson Productions 001
Covers
- The YardbirdsThe Yardbirds- Current :* Chris Dreja - rhythm guitar, backing vocals * Jim McCarty - drums, backing vocals * Ben King - lead guitar * David Smale - bass, backing vocals...
recorded A Certain Girl as a "b-side" in 1964 - Warren ZevonWarren ZevonWarren William Zevon was an American rock singer-songwriter and musician noted for including his sometimes sardonic opinions of life in his musical lyrics, composing songs that were sometimes humorous and often had political or historical themes.Zevon's work has often been praised by well-known...
recorded A Certain Girl in 1980 on the album Bad Luck Streak in Dancing SchoolBad Luck Streak in Dancing SchoolBad Luck Streak in Dancing School is the fourth album by American singer/songwriter Warren Zevon, released in 1980."Play It All Night Long" is a satire/homage to the dead band's song... - The Paul Butterfield Blues Band recorded "Get Out of My Life, Woman" in 1966 for their album East-WestEast-West-Side two:-Personnel:* Paul Butterfield — vocals, harmonica* Mike Bloomfield — electric guitar* Elvin Bishop — electric guitar, lead vocal on "Never Say No"* Mark Naftalin — piano, organ* Jerome Arnold — bass...
. - The Q65 (The Hague - Netherlands) recorded "Get Out of My Life, Woman" in 1966 for their album Revolution.
- Iron ButterflyIron ButterflyIron Butterfly is a US psychedelic rock band best known for the 1968 hit "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida".Their heyday was the late 1960s, but the band has been reincarnated with various members. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is the 31st best-selling album in the world, selling more than 25 million copies.-History:The...
recorded "Get Out of My Life, Woman" in 1967 for their album Heavy. - Jerry Garcia BandJerry Garcia BandThe Jerry Garcia Band was a San Francisco Bay Area rock band led by Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. Garcia founded the band in 1975; it remained the most important of his various side-projects until his death in 1995...
performed "Get Out of My Life, Woman" during the 1980s and 1990s and a live version of that song is on the Jerry Garcia Band live album of 1991. - The DoorsThe DoorsThe Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger...
recorded "Get Out Of My Life Woman" in 1967 but was only released in 2008 on the Live at the Matrix CD. - Nils Landgren & Joe SampleJoe SampleJoseph Leslie "Joe" Sample is an American pianist, keyboard player and composer.He is one of the founding members of the Jazz Crusaders, the band which became simply The Crusaders in 1971, and remained a part of the group until its final album in 1991 .- Biography :Sample began playing the piano...
covered "Get Out Of My Life Woman" and "With You In Mind" on the 2006 album Creole Love Song. - The Derek Trucks BandThe Derek Trucks BandThe Derek Trucks Band has been called a "group of musicians that share a passion for improvisation and musical exploration" by a reviewer at Allmusic....
played "Get Out Of My Life Woman" in their 2009 tour. - Lee DorseyLee DorseyLee Dorsey was an African American pop/R&B singer during the 1960s. Much of his work was produced by Allen Toussaint with instrumental backing provided by the Meters.-Career:...
recorded Working in the Coal MineWorking in the Coal Mine"Working in the Coal Mine" is a song with music and lyrics by Allen Toussaint.After Toussaint returned to New Orleans from the Army , he formed a production company, Sansu, with partner Marshall Sehorn. A number of singles, performed by Lee Dorsey, followed in 1965-66, including "Working in the...
in 1966. - DevoDevoDevo is an American band formed in 1973 consisting of members from Kent and Akron, Ohio. The classic line-up of the band includes two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs and the Casales . The band had a #14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single "Whip It", and has maintained a cult...
's Working In The Coal Mine was in 1980, released on the Heavy Metal soundtrack and as a bonus track for their album New TraditionalistsNew TraditionalistsNew Traditionalists is the fourth studio album by the New Wave rock band Devo, released in 1981. It features the minor hits "Through Being Cool" and "Beautiful World." The sound continued in the vein of the previous album Freedom of Choice, with synthesizers moved to the forefront and guitars more...
, both in 1981. - Van Dyke ParksVan Dyke ParksVan Dyke Parks is an American composer, arranger, producer, musician, singer, author and actor. Parks is perhaps best known for his contributions as a lyricist on the Beach Boys album Smile....
recorded "Occapella" and "Riverboat" on his 2nd album Discover America in 1972. - Ringo StarrRingo StarrRichard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
recorded "Occapella" in 1974 on his album Goodnight ViennaGoodnight ViennaGoodnight Vienna is the fourth album by Ringo Starr. It was recorded in the summer of 1974 in Los Angeles, and released later that year. Goodnight Vienna followed the commercially successful predecessor Ringo, and Starr used many of the same players, including Billy Preston, Klaus Voormann, Robbie...
. - Jerry Garcia Band also recorded "I’ll Take a Melody" in 1976 for the album Reflections and performed it regularly during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. A live version of that song is on the Pure Jerry, After Midnight live album recorded in 1980.
- The BandThe BandThe Band was an acclaimed and influential roots rock group. The original group consisted of Rick Danko , Garth Hudson , Richard Manuel , and Robbie Robertson , and Levon Helm...
recorded "You See Me" on their Jubilation album in 1999. - Little FeatLittle FeatLittle Feat is an American rock band formed by singer-songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George and keyboardist Bill Payne in 1969 in Los Angeles....
performed "On Your Way Down" during their 1974 tour; it appears as a bonus track on the re-release of their live album, Waiting for ColumbusWaiting for ColumbusWaiting for Columbus is the first live album by the Southern roots-rock band, Little Feat. The album was recorded during seven performances in 1977. The first four shows were held at the Rainbow Theatre in London on August 1-4, 1977. The final three shows were recorded in George Washington...
. - Little FeatLittle FeatLittle Feat is an American rock band formed by singer-songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George and keyboardist Bill Payne in 1969 in Los Angeles....
recorded "On Your Way Down" on the album Dixie Chicken. - The Tommy Talton Band recorded "On Your Way Down" in 2009 for the album Live Notes From Athens.
- Bonnie RaittBonnie RaittBonnie Lynn Raitt is an American blues singer-songwriter and a renowned slide guitar player. During the 1970s, Raitt released a series of acclaimed roots-influenced albums which incorporated elements of blues, rock, folk and country, but she is perhaps best known for her more commercially...
recorded "What is Success" in 1974 on her Streetlights LP, and "What Do You Want the Boy to Do?" in 1975, on Home Plate. - əkoostik hookah covered "A Certain Girl" at their Spring 2008 Hookahville festival.
- Bo DiddleyBo DiddleyEllas Otha Bates , known by his stage name Bo Diddley, was an American rhythm and blues vocalist, guitarist, songwriter , and inventor...
recorded "Going Down" in 1974 on his album Big Bad Bo. - Boz ScaggsBoz ScaggsWilliam Royce "Boz" Scaggs is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. He gained fame in the 1970s with several Top 20 hit singles in the United States, along with the #2 album, Silk Degrees. Scaggs continues to write, record music and tour.-Early life and career:Scaggs was born in Canton,...
recorded "Hello My Lover" and "Freedom for the Stallion" on his 1972 album My TimeMy TimeMy Time is the fifth album by Boz Scaggs, released by Columbia Records in September 1972. "Dinah Flo" was the only single released from the album.-Track list:All songs by Boz Scaggs unless noted.# "Dinah Flo" - 3:03...
, and "What Do You Want the Girl to Do?" for his 1976 album Silk DegreesSilk DegreesSilk Degrees is the seventh album by Boz Scaggs, released on the Columbia Records label in 1976. The album reached #2 on the U.S. pop albums chart.-Reception:The album marked Scaggs' commercial zenith, mainly spearheaded by the R&B/Soul hit "Lowdown"...
. - Lowell GeorgeLowell GeorgeLowell Thomas George was an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, who was the main guitarist and songwriter for the rock band Little Feat.- Early years :...
recorded "What Do You Want the Girl to Do?" for his 1979 solo album Thanks, I'll Eat it HereThanks, I'll Eat It HereThanks, I'll Eat it Here is the title of the only solo album by the late rock and roll singer-songwriter Lowell George. While George is best known for his work with Little Feat, by 1977 Lowell felt that they were moving increasingly into jazz-rock, a form in which he felt little interest. As a...
. - Robert Palmer recorded "Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley" and "From A Whisper To A Scream" on the album Sneakin' Sally Through the AlleySneakin' Sally Through the Alley (album)Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley is Robert Palmer's debut solo album, released in 1974. It was his first effort after three album releases co-fronting the band Vinegar Joe.Palmer is backed by The Meters and Lowell George of Little Feat...
in 1974. - Robert Palmer recorded "River Boat" for the album Pressure DropPressure Drop (album)Pressure Drop is Robert Palmer's second solo album, released in 1975. Palmer is backed by Little Feat and other musicians. The title track is a cover version of the reggae hit by Toots & the Maytals. However, many other songs on the album use New Orleans funk ... along with smooth, dated disco...
in 1975. - Robert Palmer recorded "Night People" for the album Double FunDouble FunDouble Fun is Robert Palmer's fourth solo album, released in 1978. Self-produced, this pop album is influenced by multiple genres including blue-eyed soul, disco and heavy rock but maintains an overall consistency of production which holds it all together...
in 1978. - Ringo StarrRingo StarrRichard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
also recorded "Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley" in 1977 on his album Ringo the 4thRingo the 4thRingo the 4th is the sixth album by Ringo Starr, released in 1977.After the commercial disappointment of Ringo's Rotogravure , Starr decided to shift his formula of using his well-known musician friends to write songs and appear on his albums... - PhishPhishPhish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
has covered "Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley" as well as "On Your Way Down" numerous times in concert, dating as far back as 1985. - Tishamingo has covered "Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley" several shows throughout their tenure
- The Pointer Sisters recorded "Yes We Can CanYes We Can Can"Yes We Can Can" is a 1973 funk classic recorded by the American R&B girl group the Pointer Sisters and released on the Blue Thumb record label...
" for their 1973 debut album The Pointer Sisters, "Going Down Slowly" for their 1975 album Steppin'Steppin'Steppin' is the third studio album by the Pointer Sisters, released in 1975 on the ABC/Blue Thumb label.-History:Steppin, which was more R&B heavy than the sister quartet's previous albums, generated a number one R&B hit with its first single, "How Long ". It also peaked at #20 on the Billboard...
, and "Happiness" for their 1978 album EnergyEnergy (Pointer Sisters album)Energy is the fifth studio album by The Pointer Sisters, released in 1978 on the Planet label.-History:After a brief split following sister Bonnie's departure from the group, a musically reinvented and recharged Pointer Sisters returned composed of Ruth, Anita and June. Their first album for...
. - Paul WellerPaul WellerPaul Weller is an English singer-songwriter. Starting with the band The Jam , Weller then went on to branch out musically to a more soulful style with The Style Council...
covered "Hercules" on the 2004 album Studio 150Studio 150Studio 150 is the seventh album by British artist Paul Weller. It comprises covers of songs by a variety of artists, and showcases Weller's myriad musical influences. It was named after the small Amsterdam studio in which it was recorded...
. - Maria MuldaurMaria MuldaurMaria Muldaur is a folk-blues singer who was part of the American folk music revival in the early 1960s...
covered "Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)" on her 1974 album Waitress in the Donut Shop. - Frankie MillerFrankie MillerFrankie Miller is a Scottish rock singer-songwriter, who had his biggest success in the 1970s. Miller was raised at Colvend Street, Glasgow with his parents, Cathy and Frank, and elder sisters Letty and Anne. Miller attended Sacred Heart Primary school. He was an altar boy in Sacred Heart Chapel...
covered "Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)" on his 1974 album High LifeHigh Life (Frankie Miller album)High Life is the second album by Frankie Miller.With Chrysalis Records willing to speculate in matching up Miller's vocal talents with hitmaking talent, they commissioned Miller's second album to be produced by Allen Toussaint who also composed seven songs on the album. Toussaint's production...
and also released it as a single. - Three Dog NightThree Dog NightThree Dog Night is an American rock band best known for their music from 1968 to 1975. During that time the band charted 21 Billboard top 40 hits in America, three of which reached Number One...
covered "Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)" on their 1974 album Hard LaborHard LaborHard Labor is the eleventh album by American rock band Three Dog Night, released in 1974 .- Cover Artwork :The original album cover, depicting of the birth of a record album , was deemed too controversial and was soon reworked with a huge bandage covering the "birth". The cover also includes an...
. It was also released as a highly successful single, surpassing that of Frankie Miller's version, released the same year. - B.J. Thomas covered "Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)" on his 1974 album, Longhorns & LondonbridgesLonghorns & LondonbridgesLonghorns & Londonbridges is a 1974 album by B.J. Thomas, released on Paramount Records, during the time when rights to the Paramount Records name were owned by Paramount Pictures...
. - Widespread PanicWidespread PanicWidespread Panic is an American rock band from Athens, Georgia. The current lineup includes guitarist/singer John Bell, bassist Dave Schools, drummer Todd Nance, percussionist Domingo "Sunny" Ortiz, keyboardist John "JoJo" Hermann, and guitarist Jimmy Herring...
covered "On Your Way Down" in 2009 and also at their 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Performance. - Trombone Shorty covered "On Your Way Down" on his 2010 CD BackatownBackatownBackatown is an album released by jazz musician Troy 'Trombone Shorty' Andrews. The album was released in 2010 on Verve Forecast Records and was produced by Galactic's Ben Ellman...
, featuring Toussaint on piano. - Robert PlantRobert PlantRobert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
and Alison KraussAlison KraussAlison Maria Krauss is an American bluegrass-country singer, songwriter and fiddler. She entered the music industry at an early age, winning local contests by the age of ten and recording for the first time at fourteen. She signed with Rounder Records in 1985 and released her first solo album in...
covered "Fortune Teller" on their 2007 album Raising SandRaising SandRaising Sand is a collaboration album by rock singer Robert Plant and bluegrass-country singer Alison Krauss. It was released on October 23, 2007 by Rounder Records...
.
External links
- Le ShowLe ShowLe Show is a weekly syndicated public radio show hosted by satirist Harry Shearer.The program is a hodgepodge of satirical news commentary, music, and sketch comedy...
interviews & performances: - September 7, 2005 performance and interview on WNYCWNYCWNYC is a set of call letters shared by a pair of co-owned, non-profit, public radio stations located in New York City.WNYC broadcasts on the AM band at 820 kHz, and WNYC-FM is at 93.9 MHz. Both stations are members of National Public Radio and carry distinct, but similar news/talk programs...
's Soundcheck. - http://www.nynorecords.com/allen.shtml
- Allen Toussaint at NPR Music
- Allen Toussaint at Discogs
- [ Allen Toussaint at allmusic]
- Allen Toussaint NYNO Records Biography
- The Independent - Review - Roundhouse, London, 7 August 2008