Allen Toussaint
Allen Toussaint
Allen Toussaintwas an American musician, songwriter, arranger and record producer, who was an influential figure in New Orleans R&B from the 1950s to the end of the century, described as "one of popular music’s great backroom figures." Many musicians recorded Toussaint's compositions, including "Java", "Mother-in-Law", "I Like It Like That", "Fortune Teller", "Ride Your Pony", "Get Out of My Life, Woman", "Working in the Coal Mine", "Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky", "Here Come the Girls", "Yes We Can Can",...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionComposer
Date of Birth14 January 1938
CityNew Orleans, LA
CountryUnited States of America
It was the real thing ... When we were recording, sometimes we'd make a 'human fade' - we would just play softer and softer. We didnt have any overdubbing. When one guy took a solo, the other guys would stand up and snap their fingers and dance around the studio. We were having a wonderful time.
Dr. John is phenomenal. Dr. John is a heavyweight and one of the nicest guys in the world -- unhurried, and he plays very unhurried. His life is that way. And as for being an ambassador for New Orleans sound and New Orleans music, he's doing it to the bone.
There's so much love that has been sent to that area, ... And I'm proud to be one of the senders. But I'm a receiver, as well.
So many people have reached out in wonderful ways. New York has been wonderful.
Those things that are most dear cannot be drowned - the grooves and the second line, the way you feel inside when you hear Professor Longhair. Even when you're sitting down, that's in you.
It's surprising to me how much has happened in such a short length of time,
It was so good to see Irma's face when we made this album, ... She did us proud.
Wow. Good heavens. I'm getting drenched just looking at these pictures. The water is whipping my body.
The mother-in-laws themselves weren't natural jokes but most comedians used to use that.
As an early child, I tried to play every kind of music that I heard. I thought everyone was doing that.
To travel and to get around different places, especially in station wagons, you could really see America.
Whenever I wrote songs - particularly back then - it would always be for a particular artist.
When you're playing live, those people who you're trying to please and reach, they're right there giving you feedback. And you don't get that feedback in the studio.
I never planned on being a live performer. My whole forte was about being in the studio, producing, playing the piano on recording sessions. I was all about the studio.