- published: 19 Mar 2014
- views: 144302
Allen Toussaint (IPA: /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".
Toussaint grew up in a shotgun house 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).
Allen Toussaint - 1975 -Southern Nights - Full Album
Allen Toussaint Documentary
Allen Toussaint Live
Allen Toussaint - Southern Nights
Allen Toussaint - Big Chief [Official Audio]
Allen Toussaint Funeral Procession - 11 20 2015
Allen Toussaint tribute in New Orleans ends with a second-line, full length
St. James Infirmary - Allen Toussaint (!)
Allen Toussaint - "On Your Way Down"
Allen Toussaint - Yes We Can Can
Actors: Allen Toussaint (actor), Henry 'Professor Longhair' Byrd (actor), Stevenson Palfi (director), Isodore 'Tuts' Washington (actor),
Plot: This celebrated video by Stevenson Palfi features the best piano "professors" of the last three generations: New Orleans' keyboard aces Isidore "Toots" Washington, Henry "Professor Longhair" Byrd, and Allen Toussaint. One of the most important and exciting explorations of New Orleans' musical tradition ever made.
Keywords: funeral, jazz, new-orleans-louisiana, pianoSunrise
Sunset
Since the beginning it hasn't changed yet
People fly high begin to lose sight
You can't see very clearly when you're in flight
It's high time that you found
The same people you misuse on your way up
You might meet up
On your way down
Vintage wines from the year '62
It's your thing, it's your thing
It pleases you
You got to frown when you cross town
You think it's an honor just to have you around
It's high time that you found
The same dudes you misuse on your way up
You might meet up
On your way down
You think the sun rises and sets for you
But the same sun rises, sets and shines
On the poor folks too
I don't mind you turning round
I myself would even like a little higher ground
It's high time that you found
The same people you walk on on your way up
You might meet up
On your way down