I know, just saw it and couldn't believe it. Just last week I watched a documentary on Allen and hesitated in posting it here because I was not sure if there'd be interest. He was one of the great ones of the 20th Century. We've all have heard and enjoyed some of his work I am sure. Rest in Peace Mr. Toussaint and thank you.......!
From the David Letterman Show circa 1987:
He was an awesome talent! Some of his songs "Working in the Coal Mine", "Ride Your Pony", "Fortune Teller", "Play Something Sweet [[Brickyard Blues)", "Southern Nights", "Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky", "I'll Take a Melody", "Get Out of My Life, Woman" and "Mother-in-Law". He produced classics like "Lady Marmalade". He even had time to date Jean Terrell. This is a huge loss.
Here he is performing one of his very well known songs "Southern Nights"
Very sad news. RIP Allen.
Sylvester's live version of "Happiness" on his Living Proof CD is a fitting tribute to Mr. Toussaint.
Crazy how many songs he penned and produced. His legacy would outlive the human being. May he RIP...
He was a favorite of David Letterman and Paul Schaffer. So popular with them that he moved to New York for a while after Katrina. A most "unsung" individual.
One of MY favorites of his:
A song we use to sing as kids in grade school, "Workin' In A Coal Mine" by Lee Dorsey, produced by Allen Toussaint. I believe that is Allen singing the background:
Here is the documentary on Allen that I had started to post last week:
Remember this one? Yep, Allen wrote this one too! "Java" by Al Hirt:
Wow. He was still going strong. We did an interview with him last year where he told the "Southern Nights" story:
http://www.songfacts.com/blog/playin...thern_nights_/
Here's the short version:
Van Dyke Parks visited me in the studio. He was a wonderful guy, a genius of a guy. He said, "Well, consider that you were going to die in two weeks. If you knew that, what would you think you would like to have done?" And after he said that, I wrote "Southern Nights" as soon as he left.
It's a sad day. Sad sad day. R.I.P.
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