ivylander
ivylander
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Funky Friday: Allen Toussaint, The Zen Master of Funk

Posted over 4 years ago
Never breaks a sweat. Has so much musical knowledge stored inside him that he instinctively knows the right note or the right touch in any situation. Rarely missteps. I'm going through a period - immature, I know - that if it doesn't have Allen Toussaint's hand in it, I'm just not all that interested.When he sings, "Everything I do gonna be funky from now on," even with that touch of deadpan self-mockery (especially with that touch of deadpan self-mockery), I believe he sings the truth. When Allen Toussaint brushes his teeth or lets the cat out, it's funky.
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Comments (24)

  1. dermahrk
    dermahrk says Great way to start the day, IL. Nice to have this exposure, as the only thing I know about him is that he recently recorded a CD with Costello (which I haven't heard). Muchas gracias, mi amigo.
    Permalink posted 09/28/2007
  2. ivylander
    ivylander says Thanks. It's probably no coincidence that - at least as far as I'm concerned - that album is the best thing Elvis Costello has done on record for many a year.
    Permalink posted 09/28/2007
  3. B42
    B42 says "When Allen Toussaint brushes his teeth or lets the cat out, it’s funky" hahaha, love it
    Permalink posted 09/28/2007
  4. deadmandeadman
    deadmandeadman says Allen Toussaint is indeed a national treasure. I agree with Ivylander, Mr Toussaint is a walking breathing encyclopedia of American Music. On his own he tends to be fluid relaxed and easy. And his myriad projects with other bands and artists speak to the incredible breadth of his talents. His horn charts are always tasteful, exciting, and totally sympathetic with the Artist's vision.
    Permalink posted 09/28/2007
  5. Lady Miss Ian
    Lady Miss Ian says Loving it, Ivy. I can just picture Alan walking down the street touching things with his magic Funk Finger and freeing their funkiness. ;-)
    Permalink posted 09/28/2007
  6. deadmandeadman
    deadmandeadman says I'm afraid even Mr Toussaint was unable to add much to McCartney's "Listen to What The Man Said". Some things are beyond even the gods.
    Permalink posted 09/28/2007
  7. ivylander
    ivylander says LMI, I wish Allen would turn his Funk Finger on several people in my office....
    Permalink posted 09/28/2007
  8. avenustylee
    avenustylee says How specifically do you be funky? Signed, three left feet
    Permalink posted 09/28/2007
  9. ivylander
    ivylander says Funky is as funky does.
    Permalink posted 09/28/2007
  10. bubb
    bubb says Allen Toussaint is the man. Great post!
    Permalink posted 09/28/2007
  11. Cody B
    Cody B says The record he did with the Pointer Sisters is good, The Meters stuff is legendary. He is The Man.
    Permalink posted 09/28/2007
  12. steve simon
    steve simon says he is the shit
    Permalink posted 09/28/2007
  13. Mike the Knife
    Mike the Knife says I'll say! M-m-m, good!
    Permalink posted 09/28/2007
  14. ivylander
    ivylander says That kinda day, huh?
    Permalink posted 09/28/2007
  15. Rawkkiddoh
    Rawkkiddoh says I could have used this post earlier today, great song
    Permalink posted 09/28/2007
  16. soulrocket
    soulrocket says Classic, with capital C.
    Permalink posted 09/29/2007
  17. Girlcrawl
    Girlcrawl says One of my faves! Thanks for posting Toussaint.
    Permalink posted 09/29/2007
  18. Spike
    Spike says Excellent choice.
    Permalink posted 09/29/2007
  19. mousetrap
    mousetrap says Once again you demonstrate your impeccable taste and lure me back to MOG to at least post a comment. Toussaint is an amazing talent. I think his solo tour is probably over and I wonder if he'll ever undertake another one....but if you ever do have the opportunity to go and hear him live, YOU MUST DO IT. I saw him almost a year ago here in Portland - just him and a piano. It was sublime. He has an incredibly cool, engaging stage presence and as someone else mentioned, his piano playing is effortless and almost offhand. He told some great stories, too, and schooled us all on the songs we'd always associated with certain artists but were actually written by Mr. Toussaint. For those into piano players: you must see a somewhat obscure documentary called Piano Players Rarely Play Together, which....well, I'll be lazy and paste in this summary: "A 76-minute portrait of three great New Orleans pianists and how they influenced one another's music. The three keyboard artists - Tuts Washington, Professor Longhair and Allen Toussaint - are featured playing together for the first time in a rehearsal for a joint concert. The rehearsal turned out to be the only time the three ever played together, because Professor Longhair died two days before the scheduled performance. The documentary takes viewers through the very personal and sacred New Orleans tradition of a jazz wake and funeral procession for Professor Longhair, which was taped at the encouragement of his widow, Alice. Also included is the previously planned concert with Toussaint and Washington, who turned the event into a tribute to Fess." At various times, this film runs the gamut from fascinating to hilarious to poignant and points in between. It's really worth tracking down. Wait - I've tracked it down for you: click "here":http://www.louisianamusicfactory.com/showonemerch.asp?TypeID=76&ProductID=20010 to order the DVD. Or check your library or used VHS/DVD sources.
    Permalink posted 09/29/2007
  20. ivylander
    ivylander says MT, it's terrific to see your avatar again. You've been a stranger - don't do that. The idea that I have might missed his solo tour is enough to bring on extended mourning. Please say it isn't so....
    Permalink posted 09/29/2007
  21. mousetrap
    mousetrap says Um...is it worth a 2-hour-plus drive to you? Because it looks like he's playing Ridgefield, CT on Nov. 4th. "Check it out.":http://www.rosebudus.com/tourdates/toussaint.html So I guess he's not done with his touring thing after all! Yippee!!! (Get the tickets NOW. You MUST go. Resistance is futile.)
    Permalink posted 09/30/2007
  22. ivylander
    ivylander says Actually, the gig in DC is closer. Let me get on this right away. Bless you, my friend....
    Permalink posted 09/30/2007
  23. mousetrap
    mousetrap says Oh my. With "Henry Butler":http://henrybutler.com. Be prepared to get blown away. (D.C., huh? Geography was never my strong suit....)
    Permalink posted 09/30/2007
  24. wassonii
    wassonii says word to your mother! good taste of toussaint here. Thank you:)
    Permalink posted 10/03/2007

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