Some great recs on this thread the last couple weeks. (Thanks for the Wilen tip,
@JohnnyCashFan!)
I know this forum goes pretty quiet on the weekends, but how about a little Friday night callout?
Who is the one jazz artist you wish received more recognition? Doesn't necessarily need to be someone unknown - just someone you think deserves more accolades/notice/exposure.
Here's mine:
Allen Toussaint
I know Toussaint could also be considered a rock, R&B, pop and/or funk musician, but I hear jazz in so many of the the songs he wrote and preformed. Toussaint is fairly well known in jazz circles, but I don't think the general public has any idea how many songs he wrote and how many of those songs ended up being recorded by other musicians. Here are just a few:
Southern Nights - Glenn Campbell
Fortune Teller - First by the Stones AND later by Alison Krauss and Robert Plant
Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley - Robert Palmer AND Phish
Freedom for the Stallion - Elvis Costello
Ruler of My Heart - Irma Thomas (his frequent collaborator)
Go Tell the People - Dr. John
Life - Dr. John
Working in the Coal Mine - Lee Dorsey AND Devo
A Certain Girl - Warren Zevon
Victim of Darkness
What is Success? Bonnie Raitt
On Your Way Down - Little Feat
Holy Cow - The Band
And there are so many more.
Anyway, I've been long-time Joe Henry fan and he produced the two albums Allen Toussaint recorded before he died. Both are incredible: Allen Toussaint - American Tunes and Allen Toussaint - The Bright Mississippi. It's often just Toussaint at the piano and it reminds me of weight of Johnny Cash's work with Rick Rubin toward the end of his life. Toussaint has some mad serious talent on the keys.
There also was a RSD release a few years back - The Allen Toussaint Collection.
And some of his older stuff is great as well. I ended up finding an OG copy of his From a Whisper to a Scream in an antiques store. And of course, Southern Nights is great as well. But be warned - vocals are not always his strong suit. Unfortunately, Toussaint also got swept up in the 70s music scene. The Pointer Sisters recorded a couple of his songs at the time - Yes We Can Can and Happiness.
Unfortunately, I only got to see him perform once before he died - a free outdoor show under the stars, sitting on a blanket in the park and sipping a glass of wine with my wife. What a night.
Anyone else have an artist they would like share a little love for?
