The Allen Toussaint Collection

by

Allen Toussaint

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This is a fine introduction to an American master. From his songwriting,to his piano work,to his soulful voice and his art with arrangements Allen Toussaint is a top line talent. As another said, he has produced too many New Orleans legends to name as well as offering up masterful arrangements to The Band (check out the horn parts on Rock Of Ages). If you don't know his work-start here and then work your way out.

This album overflows with soul and many tracks can be called "funky" without causing more fatigue to a word that is grossly over used. Listen to "Soul Sister" and tell me it's not one of the funkiest songs you've ever heard. It almost demands a shaking of one's hindquarters. "Last Train","From A Whisper To A Scream" and "What Do You Want The Girl To Do?" are also standout tracks but there is considerable depth beyond that. The only weakness this cd has is that tracks 11-15 don't live up to rest of the album. This is a minor weakness as these lesser tracks also have their ways plus they represent a part of his career that demanded inclusion on this period retrospective. Still,this would have been a 5 star release if they somehow could have fit more of his top shelf stuff in place of these noticably weaker tracks.

I would bet that this cd will create in you,as it did for me,a desire to track down his other work. That's all that matters. You can never have too much soul...