Review: Allen Toussaint

Photos by Allison Long/The Star 

Uptown elegance and street-smart grittiness might seem like mutually exclusive concepts. In the extraordinarily versatile hands of Allen Toussaint at the Folly Theater on Friday, the disparate notions made for an entirely natural pairing.

As Toussaint and his guitarist traded licks during "St. James Infirmary," an audience of approximately 800 was treated to alternately sophisticated and greasy sounds. The exchange was just one of many brilliant moments at a memorable, sometimes magical, performance.

Bill Shapiro, the host of "Cyprus Avenue" on KCUR-FM, introduced Toussaint as "a man who has been the sound and the essence of New Orleans for over half a century." He has crafted a substantial career by seamlessly blending jazz, rock, pop, soul and blues into a cohesive whole. He's directly responsible for a substantial swath of the greatest popular music of the 20th century. Toussaint, 71, demonstrated Friday that he merits consideration as today's most vital embodiment of American music.

"We'll be doing songs tonight that I've written, arranged and produced," he told the appreciative audience. "And maybe some I didn't but I wish I had."

 
The breathtaking repertoire included a medley of "A Certain Girl," "Mother-in-Law," "Fortune Teller" and "Working In the Coal Mine." Like many of his most popular compositions, those four songs were originally recorded by New Orleans-based rhythm and blues singers. They were subsequently covered by artists including Harry Connick, Jr., Devo, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, the Rolling Stones, the Who and Warren Zevon.

Toussaint, a thoroughly charming entertainer, noted many of these connections with droll humor. He seemed especially pleased with the use of "Sweet Touch of Love" in a recent television advertising campaign. The song's pop flourishes were irresistible.

Other highlights included the delightfully sly "Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley," the breezy "Southern Nights" and a rollicking rendition of "Who's Gonna Help Brother Get Further," a song from Toussaint's 2006 collaboration with Elvis Costello. A suave treatment of "Soul Sister" was no less effective than the original 1972 version. "Get Out of My Life Woman" was similarly robust.

An appropriately raucous reading of "Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky" was interrupted by a playful extended piano feature that managed to reference both Professor Longhair and Sergei Rachmaninoff.

Toussaint is a remarkable pianist, but his soft but insinuating singing voice is less distinctive. Still, its shortcomings lent emotional heft to a wonderful unaccompanied version of Paul Simon's song of discontentment "American Tune." An unobtrusive four-piece band lent admirable accompaniment to Toussaint on all the other selections. The saxophone work of Brian "Breeze" Cayolle was particularly potent.

Well short of two hours, the concert felt brief. Many exquisite Toussaint compositions were not played, including Irma Thomas' "Ruler of My Heart" and Art Neville's "All These Things."

The evening's only other flaw was a muffled sound field. When Toussaint opened the show by singing "there's a party going on," the sonics were so tepid that he might have been referring to a staid cocktail party. The mix gradually improved but it never packed the volume or dynamic range demanded by the music. Because the Folly Theater is noted for its pristine acoustics, the imperfection was as surprising as it was disappointing.

Even more astonishing is the fact that Friday marked Toussaint's first appearance in Kansas City. The thought that it might also be his last performance in the area made listening to Toussaint's closing number, the otherwise joyous "Fun Time," profoundly bittersweet.

| Bill Brownlee, Special to The Star

Comments

[Barbara Thomson]

Bill,
Great review! I knew I would be sorry to have missed Allen Toussaint. He was wonderful on Elvis Costello's show recently.
Your neighbor, Barbara

[Marilyn S]

I attended the show last night. What a honor to sit and listen to such a legend. I don't think many folks realize how many songs Mr. Toussaiant has written. Yes, there is a lot of stuff he could of played with such a long successful career. It was a perfect show, he was very much at ease with the audience, a true New Orleanian. His "playful play" made me realize how much I love the sounds of the piano.

[Mike]

Enjoyed your review Bill. Will just add that Toussaint also played quite a bit of Ennio Morriconne's theme song from "Once Upon A Time in the West" during that magnificent instrumental piano interlude. You probably know the piece but if not, here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s0-wbXC3pQ

[Microsoft Points]

Great Review!

[منتديات]

It was a perfect show, he was very much at ease with the audience, a true New Orleanian. His "playful play" made me realize how much I love the sounds of the piano.

[LOUIS]

Enjoyed your review Bill. Will just add that Toussaint also played quite a bit of Ennio Morriconne's theme song from "Once Upon A Time in the West" during that magnificent instrumental piano interlude.

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Bill,
Great review! I knew I would be sorry to have missed Allen Toussaint. He was wonderful on Elvis Costello's show recently.
Your neighbor, Barbara

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[neverfull]

It was a perfect show, he was very much at ease with the audience, a true New Orleanian. His "playful play" made me realize how much I love the sounds of the piano.

[دردشة]

You do an excellent job. Keep it up and thanks a lot for the posting.

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This great man is indeed a legend. His music are of course the best one. The music he made drives into the very soul of each listener. Just amazing totally fascinating man.

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This guy is a genius in music. I love the way he exudes his music. A great artist indeed.

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This man looks pretty cool especially in his music. I love the soft tones and melodies of his music since it's very entertaining. I found his music very relaxing and good to our ears when we are about to sleep at night. I am just pretty curious and I would like to buy one of his album since his music is very interesting for me.

[wart removal]

This man "Allen Toussaint" is one of the extraordinary singer and a song writer I've ever seen. His music made my morning's lively.

[stop sweating]

OK America, medal of honor for this guy. He is unique and prolific. His music has sweetness that's sadly missing in most newer tunes. He is also wickedly funny and possibly the best of the living New Orleans pianists. Add "Yes We Can" as the best campaign song ever. I rest my case.

[TotoestasoX]

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[TotoestasoX]

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KOVAL ! why do you only respond to people who threaten to unsubscribe... what about me....Id like a shout out too ....I watched all your videos....TWICE.....i loved you when you weren't? famous.... *sigh*