Allen Toussaint
Maybe you read recently about the passing of New Orleans music great Allen Toussaint, at age 77. New Orleans music fans definitely know him, as he was an incredibly successful songwriter and much in demand piano session man, in addition to having his own moderately successful solo career. His legacy it seems likely will be his songs, as indeed he never had a hit song on his own ever. Many, many people recorded his songs over the years. Keeping track of which songs Allen Toussaint can be confusing, as he wrote some under other names, such as Naomi Neville. Also there are some tracks that he played on or produced, such as Labelle’s #1 hit “Lady Marmalade” and Lee Dorsey’s “Ya Ya”, but did not write. In hope that it might help you dig deeper into the great music of Allen Toussaint, here is a list of my favorite tracks he wrote-
1. “Fortune Teller” by the Rolling Stones, the first album I ever bought was a live album by the Rolling Stones (I later learned that this track was actually a studio recording with crowd noise added). It was the last song on side one, and while it was not a “hit” track, it was one of my favorites, esp. the drum break. The lyrics tell a humorous story, a common trait of Toussaint songs. The first recording of this song was by Benny Spellman, who released it as the B-side to “Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette)” in 1961, his only hit, also written by Toussaint. It has also recorded by the Who and the Hollies, amongst others.
2. “Get Out of My Life Woman” was a huge song, a hit for Lee Dorsey in 1966. But there were also popular version of this song by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Iron Butterfly, Freddie King and Jerry Garcia. It was also recorded by Group Sounds bands such as the Golden Cups and the Jaggers. A simple but soulful song of heartbreak.
3. “Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky (From Now On)”-was only a minor hit for Lee Dorsey, but it has become New Orleans standard, sampled a number of times in hip-hop (check De La Soul “Eye Patch”) its popularity enhanced via it is referenced in the Beastie Boys song “Sure Shot”. Lou Donaldson did a funky, jazzy instrumental version (sampled by Us3 amongst others), that is also well worth checking out. If you are not already familiar with Lee Dorsey, check him out, great songs (a number of them by Toussaint), a loose, fun, yet soulful singing style, and a dynamic performer. The Clash were fans, and hand picked him to open their shows in America in 1980. Maybe someday Arista will re-issue his best of collection “Wheelin’ and Dealin’”…?
4. “Hercules” I think I first heard this song sung by Boz Scaggs, and as much as I love Boz singing, the definite version is by New Orleans superstar Aaron Neville, who has one of the greatest voices ever recorded. The song has also been recorded by Paul Weller and the Meters.
5. “On Your Way Down” - when I was in high school I was a huge fan of Frank Zappa. In 1971, Zappa’s guitarist and bassist (Lowell George and Roy Estrada) started a band called Little Feat, they released an album, which I bought immediately and loved. However it was their third album, 1973’s “Dixie Chicken” that became their break thru effort. Snuggled in with their originals is their version of this song, originally recorded by Lee Dorsey. It marked also a line-up change for the Little Feat, and the point where band were less blues-based and took on more New Orleans flavor. “On Your Way Down” has since been covered by Elvis Costello (with Toussaint), Ringo Starr and Trombone Shorty.
6. “Holy Cow” was a hit by Lee Dorsey in 1966, but remade in their own style by the Band in 1973 on their “Moondog Matinee” album. “Holy cow” is an America expression of surprise (made popular in part by a famous baseball announcer named Harry Carey). Jools Holland, Rod Stewart and Kingfish are amongst other artists that have recorded versions.
7. “Pain in My Heart” was the title track of Otis Redding’s debut album, and later covered by the Rolling Stones. The song was originally recorded by Irma Thomas with slightly different lyrics as “Ruler of My Heart”, and her version was covered very nicely by both Linda Ronstadt and Norah Jones (who recored it with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band). Even Nina Hagen did a version. But I always go back to the Otis version.
8. “Working in a Coal Mine”- was a #8 hit for Lee Dorsey in 1966, and incredibly funky song, with a monster groove. It has been covered many times, most famously by Devo in 1981, who gave it their quirky twist.
9. “Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley”- while again first recorded by Lee Dorsey, it more famously was the title track of Robert Palmer’s debut solo album of 1974, on which Allen Toussaint, the Meters and Lowell George appear.
10, “Southern Nights” was the title track of Allen Toussaint’s album, but it was a #1 hit for Glen Campbell in 1977. Toussaint recorded a quite nice version of this song with Chet Atkins too.
11. “Whipped Cream” Japanese music lovers may or may not know this instrumental song, and those that do may not be aware that Allen Toussaint wrote it. The song appears on the 1965 album by Herb Alpert “Whipped Cream and Other Delights”, which was hugely popular and sold six million copies in America. In addition “Whipped Cream” was used as intro music for the TV show “The Dating Game”, which ran on TV from 1965 to 1999, and is thus known by most Americans of a certain age.
12. “Java” has a somewhat similar story, an instrumental that was a big hit for another artist. Allen Toussaint recorded it on an unsuccessful album using the name Toucan. Trumpet Al Hirt heard it and did a version which clocked slightly less than two minute. It went to #4, won a Grammy and sold over a million copies. The income Hirt made helped him start his own nightclub and buy a minority interest in the New Orleans Saints football team.
13. “Mother-In-Law” a humorous song about family relations, it was a #1 hit in 1961 for Ernie K. Doe, and in fact his only major hit. I first heard the song when it was covered by British invasion band the Herman’s Hermits. It has become a New Orleans standard, and recorded by such diverse artists as the Ohio Players and Jello Biafra. Ernie K. Doe also parlayed his hit song into a New Orleans night club. He died in 2001 but his Mother-in-Law Lounge continues to be run by his widow.
14. “What Do You Want the Girl to Do” - my favorite version is by Boz Scaggs, from his masterpiece “Silk Degrees”, but there are also nice versions by Lowell George, and Bonnie Raitt (with gender changed to “Boy”).
15. “Yes We Can” - maybe will be considered Allen Toussaint’s masterpiece. The song has a strong uplifting message, and was adopted by Barack Obama as a theme for his 2008 Presidential campaign. The song was a modest hit for Lee Dorsey in 1970, reaching #46, but the definitive version was recorded by the Pointer Sisters, their debut single reaching #11 in 1973. It has been covered many times, including by Sly & Robbie and Japan’s own Sugar Soul.
The world will miss Allen Toussaint, but we will remember him soundly thru his thoroughly funky, funny, soulful, New Orleans flavored songs.
PS. I intended to make a top ten, then a dozen, am stopping at fifteen but regret still not mentioning “A Certain Girl”, “Ride Your Pony”, “Occapella”, “Freedom For the Stallion”, “Blinded By Love”, “Night People”, “Play Something Sweet”, “I Like It Like That”….
