Singer-songwriter Allen Toussaint has written dozens of hit songs. Many have what I call the Allen Toussaint bounce—a jumping New Orleans feel that's part blues and part zydeco. His hits include Mother in Law, Southern Nights, Whipped Cream, Get Out of My Life Woman, Working in the Colemine, What Do You Want the Girl to Do?, Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley and many more. [Photo above of Allen Toussaint in his old New Orleans neighborhood by Rush Jagoe for The Wall Street Journal]
In today's Wall Street Journal (go here or please buy the paper), I interview Allen on his childhood home in the Gert Town section of New Orleans and how he came to play piano with such a distinctive sound.
JazzWax clips: Here are five of Allen's songs. Dig the bounce...
Southern Nights...
What Do You Want the Girl to Do?...
Mother in Law...
Working in the Coalmine...
A Certain Girl...
In today's Wall Street Journal (go here or please buy the paper), I interview Allen on his childhood home in the Gert Town section of New Orleans and how he came to play piano with such a distinctive sound.
JazzWax clips: Here are five of Allen's songs. Dig the bounce...
Southern Nights...
What Do You Want the Girl to Do?...
Mother in Law...
Working in the Coalmine...
A Certain Girl...
This story appears courtesy of JazzWax by Marc Myers.
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