Allen Toussaint album: The Bright Mississippi


I just wanted to call attention this 2009 album I heard on the radio today. Very beautiful music that I find too little of.

From allmusic:
including clarinetist Don Byron, trumpeter Nicholas Payton, guitarist Marc Ribot and, on a track a piece, pianist Brad Mehldau and saxophonist Joshua Redman -- to support the pianist (Toussaint) on a run through jazz standards ranging from Duke Ellington and Django Reinhardt to Louis Armstrong and Thelonious Monk, whose 1963 classic provides the album its title.

Give it a listen and enjoy!

Phil
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Showing 3 responses by chazro

It's a beautiful record (I own it) BUT....I saw Allen Toussaint on HBO's Treme, he was featured in a segment where he was recording some classic New Orleans 'hits'. Tellyawhat, I'd pay money for THAT recording!!;)
The Bright Mississippi is considered Toussaint's 1st Jazz record. For those not familiar with the recording, it's NOT a standard ol' school Jazz record. A beautiful recording, intelligently written and played. A bit on the somber side, but beautiful nonetheless.

The Treme episode I mentioned earlier featuring Toussaint (he actually cameo'd on a few episodes!) was Season 1, episode 10 "I'll Fly Away" (if you got HBOGO you can watch it right now!). Treme gets my vote as the best musical televison show EVER!
Phil, the episode I cited is the season 1 finale (there's been 2 seasons so far). By all means, I strongly recommend starting at the beginning. Treme deals with post-Katrina New Orleans. It's beautiful and unique televison, made more so due to the primary focus being on the New Orleans music scene. Be prepared for a ton of great music!!