Happy Birthday Allen Toussaint: The NOLA Legend Performing Live
By Andy Kahn Jan 14, 2018 • 9:21 am PST
Today marks what would have been renowned New Orleans musician Allen Toussaint’s birthday. The beloved pianist, composer, arranger and producer passed away in 2015 at the age of 77. Toussaint’s career produced numerous compositions that have been recorded by the likes of Dr. John, Jerry Garcia, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Palmer, Little Feat, Boz Scaggs, Joe Cocker, Etta James, The Who, Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, DEVO, Glen Campbell, Herb Alpert, Richie Havens and many others.
This edition of Sunday Cinema celebrates the life and songs of Allen Toussaint with video footage of the late NOLA great performing live throughout his storied career. He can be seen performing solo and with an impressive array of fellow talented musicians performing his own tunes and a few covers as well.
First up is footage of “Connected” from 1997 followed by Toussaint and Bonnie Raitt teaming together on “What Is Success” at the 2000 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. There’s also footage from Jazz Fest 2007 featuring Allen performing “Party Goin’ On.” Paul Simon’s “American Tune” was often covered by Toussaint (his 2016 posthumous LP was titled American Tunes and featured Simon’s classic), including during a 2009 appearance on Austin City Limits. Video from 2011 features Toussaint playing “What Do You Want The Girl To Do” at KPLU radio station and “Southern Nights” and “I’ll Take A Melody” at Joe’s Pub.
Toussaint honored The Band’s Levon Helm at the 2012 Love For Levon concert, fronting the house band on “Life Is A Carnival.” Additionally, audience-shot footage of “Sneakin’ Sally Through The Alley” from a show in 2013 is presented. There’s also video of Toussaint performing “Fortune Teller” solo in 2014 for the Sound Opinions radio program.
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Allen honored Jerry Garcia at the Dear Jerry concert in 2015, performing the JGB favorite “Get Out My Life Woman” alongside Don Was, Bill Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart, Sam Bush and others. And finally, the last video presented below is from Toussaint’s final hometown performance in October 2015 with The Funky Meters performing “All These Things.”
Watch the series of live videos below:
