1
300 NEW ORLEANS TRICENTENNIAL 171 8 ~ 201 8 THE HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION THE NEW ORLEANS ADVOCATE His influence was even longer lasting and more widespread. The self-taught musi- cian, raised in Gert Town, started his career as a performer, playing as a studio musician throughout the city. Toussaint’s first record- ing was in 1957 as a stand-in for Fats Domino on Domino’s record “I Want You to Know,” on which Toussaint played piano and Domino overdubbed his vocals. His first album, “The Wild Sound of New Orleans,” was released in 1958 by RCA. Under the auspices of the Minit and Instant record labels, he discovered his true calling: as a songwriter, arranger, producer and accompanist for other artists, often operating out of the Gert Town home he shared with his parents. Tous- saint created a production company, Sansu, and built a recording studio, Sea-Saint, in Gentilly. Toussaint’s music and direction helped launch the careers of Irma Thomas, Lee Dors- ey, Dr. John and the Meters, among others. He was sought after as a producer, working with Paul McCartney and Robert Palmer. His songs, including “Working in the Coal Mine,” “Southern Nights,” and “Fortune Teller,” were recorded by national artists and became hits. After Hurricane Katrina, Toussaint had a rebirth as a performer and collaborated with Elvis Costello on the 2006 album, “The River in Reverse.” Toussaint spent the next decade touring and died in Madrid, Spain in 2015 after a show there. Allen Toussaint was known as an impeccable dresser, as evidenced by his appearance at the 2014 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Toussaint recorded his first album, ‘The Wild Sounds of New Orleans,’ under the name Tousan. ‘Southern Nights’ was released in 1975 as a concept album by Toussaint. The title song became a hit when recorded by Glen Campbell in 1977. Allen Toussaint and Dr. John at a 1974 benefit for Professor Longhair. Toussaint produced Dr. John’s 1973 hit ‘Right Place, Wrong Time.’ Allen Toussaint was born Jan. 14, 1938, in Gert Town. From Bienville to Bourbon Street to bounce. 300 moments that make New Orleans unique. WHAT HAPPENED MYSTERIES LIKE THIS AND MANY OTHERS IN THE TREES BLOW IN THE NIGHT IN THE SOUTHERN SKIES. FROM ‘SOUTHERN NIGHTS’ A SELECTION OF TOUSSAINT’S SONGS COVERED BY OTHERS: JAVA (1958) Al Hirt (1963) • SOUTHERN NIGHTS (1975) Glen Campbell (1977) • LAST TRAIN (1975) Mavis Staples (2010) • GOIN’ DOWN (SLOWLY) (1972) Pointer Sisters (1975) • ON YOUR WAY DOWN (1972) Little Feat (1973) • NIGHT PEOPLE (1978) Soul Rebels Brass Band (2012) • WHAT DO YOU WANT THE GIRL TO DO? (1975) Boz Scaggs (1976) • PLAY SOMETHING SWEET (BRICKYARD BLUES) Three Dog Night (1974) • WHAT IS SUCCESS (1970) Bon- nie Raitt (1974) • A CERTAIN GIRL (1961) Warren Zevon (1980) • FREEDOM FOR THE STALLION ( 1972) Elvis Costello (2006) • SNEA- KIN’ SALLY THROUGH THE ALLEY (1970) Robert Palmer (1974) • FORTUNE TELLER (1961) Robert Plant and Alison Krauss (2007) Allen Toussaint was the genesis of an entire generation of New Orleans music.
