Allen Toussaint's Nonesuch solo debut, The Bright Mississippi, is set for release on Tuesday, April 21. You can catch a glimpse of the songs, songwriters, and guest artists on the album and take a look behind-the-scenes with Toussaint at piano and producer Joe Henry at the boards in a short video on nonesuch.com/media. The Detroit Free Press gives the album four stars. Rolling Stone says it's "pure Toussaint, emotionally and structurally expansive, yet as keenly done as one of Toussaint's perfectly knotted ties." Dusted magazine says, "It’s quite simply one of the best albums we’ll hear in 2009."
Allen Toussaint's Nonesuch solo debut, The Bright Mississippi, is set for release this Tuesday, April 21. You can catch a glimpse of the songs, songwriters, and guest artists on the album and take a look behind-the-scenes with Toussaint at piano and producer Joe Henry at the boards in a new video on nonesuch.com/media.
And Dusted magazine's John Eyles says the attention and accolades Toussaint has garnered in recent years—including for his contribution to Our New Orleans, the 2005 Nonesuch compilation benefiting Habitat for Humanity’s post-Katrina rebuilding efforts—are sure to increase with the new album. "That applause will only grow louder with the release of The Bright Mississippi," writes Eyles. "It’s quite simply one of the best albums we’ll hear in 2009 ... Great fun."
The album explores New Orleans long and rich jazz heritage, featuring the work of singular songwriters from Armstrong to Ellington to Monk and a supporting band that includes Don Byron, Nicholas Payton, Marc Ribot, David Piltch, Jay Bellerose, and guest artists Brad Mehldau and Joshua Redman.
"On an album where every track is a gem," Eyles continues, "the two Ellington tracks, 'Day Dream' and 'Solitude,' stand out, both perfectly capturing the air of melancholy that is distinctive to the Duke." He also points to the title track, by Thelonious Monk, which Toussaint uses "as a showcase for his buoyant piano style. So matched are pianist and composer that I can only hope that Joe Henry’s next brainwave will be an entire album of Toussaint playing Monk. And even then, I can’t imagine it matching the class and the charm of The Bright Mississippi."
Read the full review at dustedmagazine.com.
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Rolling Stone gives the album 3 1/2 stars and calls it "both pure Ellington ('Day Dream') and Monk ('Bright Mississippi'), as well as pure Toussaint, emotionally and structurally expansive, yet as keenly done as one of Toussaint's perfectly knotted ties." The Detroit Free Press gives the album four stars, describing Toussaint as "musically speaking, the man who best represents the Crescent City."
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Allen will be in New Orleans for the start of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, beginning April 26. He'll play two sets at Snug Harbor that night, the House of Blues later in the week, and takes to the Acura Stage at the festival site for the festival's closing day, May 3, playing just before Neil Young. An extensive tour follows, including a week's residency at New York's famed Village Voice jazz club. For all the tour info, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour.
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