The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
A legend’s last hurrah
The posthumous release of Allen Toussaint’s final album makes for a fitting full stop to a wonderful career in music that helped shaped much of today’s R&B.
The legendary New Orleans musician died in November 2015 just after completing the album with acclaimed producer (and artist in his own right) Joe Henry.
Toussaint’s work as a composer, producer, arranger and performer saw him work with the likes of Lee Dorsey, the Pointer Sisters, Dr John, Elvis Costello and Paul McCartney.
He influenced many more.
The album, mostly instrumental, comprises solo performances of songs by his musical hero Professor Long- hair as well as band arrangements of tunes by the likes of Duke Ellington, Fats Waller and Paul Simon, plus some of his own songs.
Among those contributing to the album are singer Rhiannon Giddens – who provides the vocals on the two Duke Ellington songs, Come Sunday and Rocks In My Bed – Bill Frissell and Van Dyke Parks.
Toussaint himself provides vocals on an affecting worldweary version of Paul Simon’s American Tune, which ensures the album and his recording career ends on a sumptuous high.
As a pianist Toussaint is up there with popular music’s greatest and this serves as a poignant farewell to a man whose mastery and love of soul, R&B and jazz oozed through every note he played. To be in with a chance of winning this album answer this question. Which Wings album did Toussaint play on? Entries to, Toussaint, Nigel Thornton, Peterborough Telegraph, Unex House - Suite B,Bourges Boulevard, Peterborough, PE1 1NG by July 1.