Allen Toussaint Bright Mississippi Zip Lines Maps
Allen Toussaint Bright Mississippi

The Grammy Awards will be presented tonight. Every year, it is safe say that music-wise, whether it’s jazz, blues, gospel, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, hip-hop, rap, well, you get the idea, there will be some musical notion from the street of New Orleans mixed in.

In recent years, Dr. John, Irma Thomas, Lil Wayne, and Terence Blanchard have picked up Grammy Awards. But this year, with the exception of the Zydeco and Cajun category, New Orleans-area musicians are rather scarce among the nominees.

In spite of this, I’ll be watching to see if producer, composer, arranger, pianist, singer Allen Toussaint can score his first Grammy. Toussaint has produced acts like Irma Thomas, Ernie K-Doe, Lee Dorsey, and Meters. Others like Glen Campbell and the Pointer Sisters has had megahits with songs such as “Southern Nights” and “Yes We Can,” respectively. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the 72 year-old, with a long and distinguished musical career, has yet to win a Grammy. That could change tonight with his first jazz album “The Bright Mississippi.”

The players chosen by Toussaint and Henry (Nicholas Payton on trumpet, David Pilch on upright bass, Don Byron on clarinet, Marc Ribot on guitar and Jay Bellerose behind the drums) make the recording come alive with a warmth and texture that is usually only heard in live performances. The Bright Mississippi is a rich and multi-layered CD. Artist: Allen Toussaint Album: The Bright Mississippi Released: 2009 Style: Jazz Format: MP3 VBR Size: 79 Mb. Tracklist: 01 – Egyptian Fantasy 02 – Dear Old Southland 03 – St. James Infirmary 04 – Singin’ the Blues 05 – Winin’ Boy Blues 06 – West End Blues 07 – Blue Drag 08 – Just A Closer Walk with Thee 09 – Bright. I don't think there was much of a tour behind Allen Toussaint's 'The Bright Mississippi,' but I was lucky enough to catch the band during the weeklong run at New York's Village Vanguard. The band featured the same players as the recording, with the exception of Nicholas Payton, who was replaced by New Orleans' young and sublime Christian Scott.

Allen toussaint bright mississippi zip lines pictures

Allen Toussaint Bright Mississippi Zip Lines Maps

In it, Toussaint applied his experienced producer’s chops and R & B infused piano to more traditional tunes. And the result is fresh and original. Well-deserved recognition for trying something new. And while Toussaint has decided not make the trip to Los Angeles, it’s high time for him to be able to put a Grammy Award on his mantelpiece back home.

Allen Toussaint Bright Mississippi

Follow-up: Chick Corea and John McLaughlin Five Piece Band bested Allen Toussaint for best jazz instrumental band. However, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra won for best large jazz ensemble, and Buckwheat Zydeco garnered best Zyedco and Cajun cd for “Lay Your Burden Down.”