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
To get to New Orleans you don't pass through anywhere else. That geographical location, being aloof, lets it hold onto the ritual of its own pace more than other places that have to keep up with the progress.
And do respect the women of the world; remember you all had mothers.
My music is homegrown from the garden of New Orleans. Music is everything to me short of breathing. Music also has a role to lift you up - not to be escapist but to take you out of misery.
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.
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.
This is quite a time. Maybe the most unique time ever for me. But I can't thank everyone enough for what they've done for New Orleans. We have really gotten a chance to find out who we are at a time like this. And where we are. We're in the greatest country in the world.
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.