Jim James on Allen Toussaint

[KC]

http://www.velocityweekly.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080206/VELOCITY01/802060548

It's happened to everyone: An album finds its way into your hands, and you promise you'll give it a listen. You never do.

Months (or years) later, you find it. You play it. You love it. How did you get by without it?

We asked four Louisville musicians to share a story about an old new favorite.

Jim James

"Southern Nights," Allen Toussaint (1975)

My friend Sweet T turns me on to some of the coldest music I ain't never heard before -- and this album, from start to finish, is one of the coldest jam-bo-rees ever committed to tape, my sweet friends and neighbors. We have had many good nights around the stereo jamming this sweet masterwork.

From the badass opening of "Last Train" to the final aching sax melodies of "Cruel Way To Go Down," this is one complete suite that I can't believe never made a larger impact, even though Glen Campbell had a hit with the title track "Southern Nights," as well as Boz Scaggs covering "What Do You Want The Girl To Do?"

It's a perfectly paced album that flows in much the same way as "What's Going On?" or "Dark Side of the Moon." So many classic forms of music are channeled here -- jazz, funk, folk. You can hear everyone from the Band to John Lennon to Ray Charles to sweet Southern gospel in these tracks. But it comes off as totally original, sounding only like the master himself, Allen Toussaint.

James is the lead singer of My Morning Jacket, whose new album, "Evil Urges," will be released June 10.

[dragonboy]

I love reading things likes this! Thanks for posting KC  :)

This & it's predecessor Life, Love & Faith are both excellent albums!

[weeniebeenie]

Cool, thanks for posting.

[Yatz]

Wicked stuff.  I love this sort of reading as well.  Anyone have more?  Give me more.

[fitzcarraldo]

Wicked stuff.  I love this sort of reading as well.  Anyone have more?  Give me more.

The New York Times did a write up like this in 06. Remember, when he talks about Scott Carney in the article, his band name has changed to Wax Fang. Yes sir, Mr. James has impeccible taste.  :)

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/02/arts/music/02play.html?8ur&emc=ur  

[rob]

Allen's version of "Southern Nights" is a total trip.....completely different from Glen Campbell's....love it.

[ms. yvon]

thanks for the piece, kc!

a few weeks back harry shearer dedicated a full episode of Le Show to an interview with alan toussaint.  it's full of wonderful anecdotes and music.

http://harryshearer.com/news/le_show/
it's the feb. 24th episode.