Phil...I just got the LP a few weeks ago. Highly recommended as you say. |
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A true living legend for sure. I saw him open for Neil Young in November of last year,fantastic show. |
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!!;) |
I will look for that episode of Treme Chazro.
Martykl, SQ = sound quality? I presume...
I was thinking about The Bright Mississippi album and noticed I did not give my own two cents. It occured to me the beat is a bit reminisent of Tom Waits (of course these musicians hold their own nicely) and the music is dripping in atmosphere. I love the variety of instruments.
This is my first exposure to Allen and I was a bit surprised to find his other albums are quite different. They seem a bit more rockin with a slight pop quality. It does not take away from the fact that he is very good on piano no doubt. |
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! |
Allen Toussaint was also on a PBS show. It was either Soundstage or Austin City Limits. I think it was Soundstage. He played some songs from the Bright Mississippi album. Watch for the replay. |
I just did a search. Allen was on Austin City Limits. |
Phil,
SQ is sound quality and I think it's one of the better sounding releases in recent memmory.
Toussaint has had an almost unbelieveable depth of r'n'r impact. Very early on, he had a hit with "Workin' In a Coal Mine" and wrote Ernie K-Doe's hit "Mother In Law". Shortly thereafter, he produced all the records by "The Showmen", including "It Will Stand" one of the earlier r'n'r anthems and an early example of morphing doo-wop style vocal music into r'n'r, ala The Beach Boys.
In the '70's/'80's he released an awesome array of pop/funk records, the best known of which is propbably "Southern Nights". (His 2 cd Warner Bros Years retrospective is tremendous.) He was also a major influence on Lowell George of Little Feat and really schooled a lot of white folk on the basics of funk.
Bright Mississippi is great, but it's really far afield from Toussaint's historical sweet spot, so loving this record (as I do) doesn't guarantee that you'll dig the earlier stuff. But, OTH, you just might.
Marty |
Chazro I just got HBO GO today but, based on your recommendation, I may watch it from the beginning.
Thanks Don s, ACL is on my list
the great Lowell George (RIP)
will look into the WB 2 CD Marty
glad I posted thanks guys! |
This was the Sterophile "Recording of the Month" for July 2009. This is a great recording and you can read the review at www.stereophile.com. |
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!! |
I look forward to it Chazro!
again thanks... |
Certainly one of the top ten albums of that year for me. |
What a great album! I couldn't recommend it more. Beautiful music and recording. I hope Mr. Toussaint is inspired to do more Jazz offerings! |
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The album definitely has the mark of producer Joe Henry, if you are familiar with Henry's stuff.
Saw Toussaint do a 90-minute solo performance to open the Stanford Jazz Workshop in June. Wonderful, really wonderful. |
