Allen Toussaint
Allen Toussaint | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Allen Richard Toussaint |
Born | Gert Town, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | January 14, 1938
Origin | New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
Died | November 10, 2015 Madrid, Spain | (aged 77)
Genres | |
Occupations |
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Instruments |
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Years active | 1958–2015 |
Labels |
Allen Richard Toussaint (/ˈtuːsɑːnt/; January 14, 1938 – November 10, 2015) was an American musician, songwriter, arranger, and record producer. He was an influential figure in New Orleans rhythm and blues from the 1950s to the end of the century, described as "one of popular music's great backroom figures."[1] Many musicians recorded Toussaint's compositions. He was a producer for hundreds of recordings: the best known are "Right Place, Wrong Time", by longtime friend Dr. John, and "Lady Marmalade" by Labelle.
Biography
Early life and career
The youngest of three children, Toussaint was born in 1938 in New Orleans and grew up in a shotgun house in the Gert Town neighborhood, where his mother, Naomi Neville (whose name he later adopted pseudonymously for some of his works), welcomed and fed all manner of musicians as they practiced and recorded with her son. His father, Clarence, worked on the railway and played trumpet.[1][2] Allen Toussaint learned piano as a child and took informal music lessons from an elderly neighbor, Ernest Pinn.[3] In his teens he played in a band, the Flamingos, with the guitarist Snooks Eaglin,[4] before dropping out of school. A significant early influence on Toussaint was the syncopated "second-line" piano style of Professor Longhair.[2] Toussaint was raised Catholic.[5]
After a lucky break at age 17, in which he stood in for
After being spotted as a
Success in the 1960s
Minit and Instant Records
In 1960, Joe Banashak, of
The early to mid-1960s are regarded as Toussaint's most creatively successful period.
Toussaint credited about twenty songs to his parents, Clarence and Naomi, sometimes using the pseudonym "Naomi Neville".[19][20] These include "Fortune Teller", first recorded by Benny Spellman in 1961, "Pain In My Heart," first a hit for Otis Redding in 1963, and "Work, Work, Work", recorded by The Artwoods in 1966. Alison Krauss and Robert Plant covered "Fortune Teller" on their 2007 album Raising Sand.[21]
Sansu: Soul and early New Orleans funk
Toussaint was drafted into the
1970s to 1990s
Toussaint continued to produce The Meters when they began releasing records under their own name in 1969. As part of a process begun at Sansu and reaching fruition in the 1970s, he developed a funkier sound, writing and producing for a host of artists, such as Dr. John (backed by the Meters, on the 1973 album In the Right Place, which contained the hit "Right Place, Wrong Time") and an album by The Wild Tchoupitoulas, a New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians tribe led by "Big Chief Jolly" (George Landry) (backed by the Meters and several of his nephews, including Art and Cyril Neville of the Meters and their brothers Charles and Aaron, who later performed and recorded as The Neville Brothers).[26][27][28]
In the 1970s, Toussaint began to work with artists from beyond New Orleans artists, such as
In 1973 Toussaint and Sehorn created the
In 1987, he was the
2000s
Most of Toussaint's possessions, including his home and recording studio,
Toussaint is interviewed on screen, served as a musical director, led his band and appears in performance footage in the 2005 documentary film Make It Funky!, which presents a history of New Orleans music and its influence on rhythm and blues, rock and roll, funk and jazz.[48] In the film, he performed a medley of his compositions "Fortune Teller", "Working in the Coal Mine" and "A Certain Girl". He also performed "Tipitina" in a piano duo with Jon Cleary, and accompanied Irma Thomas on "Old Records", Lloyd Price on "Lawdy Miss Clawdy", and Bonnie Raitt on "What is Success".[49]
The River in Reverse, Toussaint's collaborative album with Elvis Costello, was released on May 29, 2006, in the UK on Verve Records by Universal Classics and Jazz UCJ.[50] It was recorded in Hollywood and at the Piety Street Studio in the Bywater, as the first major studio session to take place after Hurricane Katrina.[51] In 2007, Toussaint performed a duet with Paul McCartney of a song by New Orleans musician and resident Fats Domino, "I Want to Walk You Home", as their contribution to Goin' Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino on Vanguard.[52]
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
Toussaint performed instrumentals from his album The Bright Mississippi and many of his older songs for a taping of the PBS series
His late-blooming career as a performer began when he accepted an offer to play a regular Sunday brunch session at an East Village pub. Interviewed in 2014 by The Guardian′s Richard Williams, Toussaint said, "I never thought of myself as a performer.... My comfort zone is behind the scenes." In 2013 he collaborated on a ballet with the choreographer Twyla Tharp.[1] Toussaint was a musical mentor to Swedish-born New Orleans songwriter and performer Theresa Andersson.[61] Toussaint's two marriages ended in divorce.[2]
Death
Toussaint died in the early hours of November 10, 2015, in Madrid, Spain, while on tour. Following a concert at the Teatro Lara on Calle Corredera Baja de San Pablo, he had a heart attack at his hotel and was pronounced dead on his arrival at the hospital.[62] He was 77. He had been due to perform a sold-out concert at the EFG London Jazz Festival at The Barbican on November 15 with his band and Theo Croker. He was also scheduled to play with Paul Simon at a benefit concert in New Orleans on December 8.[2] His final recording, American Tunes, titled after the Paul Simon song, which he sings on the album, was released by Nonesuch Records on June 10, 2016.[63]
He was survived by his three children, Clarence (better known as Reginald), Naomi, and Alison, and several grandchildren. His children had managed his career in his last years.[64][47]
Writing in The New York Times, Ben Sisario quoted Quint Davis, producer of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival: "In the pantheon of New Orleans music people, from Jelly Roll Morton to Mahalia Jackson to Fats—that's the place where Allen Toussaint is..." Paul Simon said, "We were friends and colleagues for almost 40 years.... We played together at the New Orleans jazz festival. We played the benefits for Katrina relief. We were about to perform together on December 8. I was just beginning to think about it; now I'll have to think about his memorial. I am so sad."[47]
The Daily Telegraph described Toussaint as "a master of New Orleans soul and R&B, and one of America's most successful songwriters and producers," adding that "self-effacing Toussaint played a crucial role in countless classic songs popularised by other artists." He had written so many songs, over more than five decades, that he admitted to forgetting quite a few.[2]
Partial discography
- The Wild Sound of New Orleans (1958)
- Toussaint (1971, a.k.a. From a Whisper to a Scream)
- Life, Love and Faith (1972)
- Southern Nights (1975)
- Motion (1978)
- I Love a Carnival Ball, Mr Mardi Gras Starring Allen Toussaint (1987)
- Connected (1996)
- A New Orleans Christmas (1997)
- Allen Toussaint's Jazzity Project: Going Places (2004)
- The Bright Mississippi (2009)
- American Tunes (2016)
Awards and honors
Toussaint was inducted into the
References
- ^ a b c d e f Williams, Richard (November 11, 2015). "Allen Toussaint obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e "Allen Toussaint, Songwriter: Obituary". November 12, 2015. The Telegraph. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Lichtenstein, Grace; Dankner, Laura (1993). Musical Gumbo: The Music of New Orleans. W. W. Norton. pp. 110–122.
- ^ a b c d Steve Huey, Steve. "Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
- ^ "Allen Toussaint 1938-2015". thebluemoment.com. November 10, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
- ^ "Allen Toussaint Profile". NYNO Records. Archived from the original on February 6, 2012. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
- ^ Fensterstock, Alison. "On Top of the Charts: Allen Toussaint Is As Sharp and Prolific As Ever". Gambit Weekly (New Orleans), May 1, 2007, p. 23. Archives online at Bestofneworleans.com.
- ^ Planer, Lindsay. "Review of The Wild Sound of New Orleans". AllMusic. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
- ISBN 0-89820-104-7.
- ^ "Allen Orange". SoulfulKindaMusic. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
- ^ a b c "Allen Toussaint Biography". Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
- ^ Ankeny, Jason. "Biography". All Media Network. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
- Allmusic. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
- ^ Hamilton, Andrew. "The O'Jays, Lipstick Traces (on a Cigarette): Song Review". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
- ISBN 978-1-891241-28-4.
- ^ Bowman, Rob. (1997). Soulsville U.S.A.: The Story of Stax Records. New York, Schirmer Trade Books. p. 46, note 16.
- ^ Unterberger, Richie. "Irma Thomas, Ruler of My Heart: Song Review". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen. "Allen Toussaint, Finger Poppin' and Stompin' Feet: 20 Classic Allen Toussaint Productions for Minit...: Review". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved November 20, 2010.
- ^ "Artist page for Naomi Neville on uk-charts.com". uk-charts.com. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
- ^ "Artist page for Clarence Toussaint on uk-charts.com". uk-charts.com. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
- ^ "Songs Written by Allen Toussaint". MusicVF.com. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
- ^ a b Ankeny, Jason. "Marshall Sehorn". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
- ^ a b "The Meter Men Featuring Ivan Neville". Tulane University. New Orleans. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
- ^ "The Meters". Encyclopedia.com. Cengage Learning. 2004. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
- ^ Stewart, Alexander (2000). "Funky Drummer: New Orleans, James Brown and the Rhythmic Transformation of American Popular Music." Popular Music, v. 19, no. 3 (Oct. 2000), p. 297, quoting Dr. John quoted describing Professor Longhair's influence on New Orleans funk.
- ^ Chrispell, James. "In the Right Place". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
- ^ Christgau, Robert. "The Wild Tchoupitoulas". Robert Christgau. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
- ^ "The Neveille Brothers". Patterson & Associates. Archived from the original on July 21, 2015. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
- ^ Anonymous (May 25, 2006). "Home of the Groove: Touched by Toussaint". Homeofthegroove.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
- ISBN 9780865545045. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "The Band--Cahoots: Review". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
- ^ Ruhlmann, William. "The Band--Moondog Matinee: Review". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
- ^ Deming, Mark. "The Band, The Last Waltz: Review". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
- ^ "What Do You Want the Girl To Do? - The Elvis Costello Wiki". Elviscostello.info. December 6, 2010. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
- ^ "Notice to Appear - John Mayall |". AllMusic. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
- ^ Alison Fensterstock, op. cit.
- ^ Jaffe, Ben, Allen Toussaint profile Archived October 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, preshallben.tumblr.com, October 2, 2014.
- ^ Planer, Lindsay. "From a Whisper to a Scream: Review". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen. "Allen Toussaint--Southern Nights: Review". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
- ^ Ed Hogan. "Southern Nights, Glen Campbell | Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
- ^ Milward, John (April 11, 1987). "Bringing A New Orleans Legend To Life An Off-broadway Musical Distills The Essential Staggerlee". Philly.com. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
- ISBN 9781467708111. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
- ISBN 9780307494429. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
- ^ a b c Baer, April (June 24, 2015). "An Artist's Renaissance Post Hurricane Katrina". OPB. Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
- ^ a b Santana, Rebecca; Plaisance, Stacey (November 11, 2015). "Legendary New Orleans Musician Allen Toussaint Dead At 77". TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc. Huffington Post. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ Ashley Kahn. "Songbook liner notes". Retrieved November 12, 2015.
- ^ a b c Sisario, Ben (November 10, 2015). "Allen Toussaint, New Orleans R&B Mainstay, Dies at 77". New York Times. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ProQuest 1370090.
- OCLC 61207781. 11952.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen. "Elvis Costello / Allen Toussaint, The River in Reverse: Review". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
- ^ "Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint, The River in Reverse, Interview CD". Discogs. Discogs®. May 2006. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
- ^ "Fats Domino 'Alive and Kicking'". CBS News. February 25, 2006. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
- ^ "Allen Toussaint, Roundhouse, London | Reviews | Culture". The Independent. Archived from the original on September 4, 2009. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
- ^ a b Massarik, Jack (October 27, 2008). "The Saints Come Marching in at O2 jazz festival". Evening Standard.
- ^ Yuan, Jada (August 25, 2008). "Denver Dispatch: Kathleen Sebelius Tears Up Dance Floor at Wild Party". New York Magazine. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
- ^ "Saturday's Highlights". Los Angeles Times. January 9, 2010. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
- ^ Ayers, Michael D. (September 24, 2009). "Dave Matthews, Pearl Jam Set For Austin City Limits' 35th Season". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
- ^ Goldstein, Stan (September 26, 2009). "Bruce Springsteen appears with Elvis Costello at Spectacle taping". NJ.com. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
- ^ "Levon Helm, Nick Lowe, Richard Thompson and Allen Toussaint". Spectacle: Elvis Costello With... Season 2. Episode 3. December 23, 2009. Sundance Channel.
- ^ Lipshutz, Jason (August 18, 2010). "Eric Clapton Announces New Solo Album, Clapton". Billboard. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ Spera, Keith (May 1, 2012). "Letting life flow in: Songwriter Theresa Andersson's expanding roles with music and motherhood lead her to a better place". Times-Picayune. No. Saint Tammany Edition. pp. C1-2. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
- ^ "Muere el músico Allen Toussaint en Madrid tras actuar en el Teatro Lara". El Mundo (in Spanish). November 10, 2015.
- ^ "Nonesuch Releases "American Tunes," Final Recording from Late New Orleans Legend Allen Toussaint, on June 10". Nonesuch Records website. April 13, 2016.
- ^ Dominic Massa, "Influential songwriter, producer Allen Toussaint has died" Archived November 10, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, WWL-TV, November 10, 2015.
- ^ "National Medal of Arts | NEA". Arts.gov. February 27, 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
- ^ "2016 Blues Music Awards Winner List". Blues411.com. Archived from the original on May 6, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
- ^ Sledge, Matt (January 6, 2022). "Allen Toussaint, New Orleans music icon, gets a boulevard renamed in his honor". nola.com. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
External links
- Allen Toussaint at IMDb
- Allen Toussaint profile, NPR.org; accessed October 5, 2014.
- Allen Toussaint profile, allmusic.com; accessed October 5, 2014.
- Allen Toussaint NYNO Records profile, nynorecords.com; accessed October 5, 2014.
- Allen Toussaint speaks about songwriting and creating music NAMM Oral History Interview (2015)
- A Conversation with Allen Toussaint (interviewer: Larry Appelbaum), November 1, 2007; from The Library of Congress(Video, Captions, Transcript)