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Cerys Matthews pays tribute to the musician, songwriter, and production genius Allen Toussaint, a key figure in the development of the sound of New Orleans for over 50 years.

Cerys Matthews pays tribute to the musician, songwriter, and production genius Allen Toussaint, a key figure in the development of the sound of New Orleans for over 50 years.

A huge fan, Cerys was looking forward to interviewing Allen when he visited the UK for the London Jazz Festival in November. Sadly, Allen died whilst on tour in Spain and, so, the planned profile becomes a tribute to his incredible career.

With a precocious talent, and curious ear, Allen soaked up the sounds of his native city and childhood home. And from the second line of brass following Jazz funerals; and the percussive beats of the Mardi Gras Indians; to the blues tracks on the radio; and the Grieg Piano Concerto he learnt by ear, Allen was open to all genres of music.

But he didn’t just assimilate these influences, he was a true pioneer, and when inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, he was praised for keeping pace with musical developments and not allowing New Orleans’ old-school R&B traditions to die out.

He may not have been the household name he deserved to be but the roll call of artists he worked with - or who covered his compositions - is testament to his status as a musician’s musican. Snooks Eaglin’, Irma Thomas, The Meters, Glen Campbell, Patti LaBelle, Herb Alpert, Otis Redding, The Band, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello - and many, many more – they all contribute to the legacy of the Allen Toussaint sound.

Image: Allen Toussaint performs during the 2012 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Credit: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

50 minutes

Last on

Sun 13 Dec 2015 20:06GMT
Â鶹ÊÓƵAV World Service except News Internet

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Music Played

  • Allen Toussaint

    You Will Not Lose

  • King CreoleÂ’s Jazz Band & King CreoleÂ’s Jazz Band

    Dippermouth Blues

  • Louis Armstrong

    New Orleans Function

  • Mississippi John Hurt

    Since IÂ’ve Laid My Burden Down

  • Lay My Burden Down

  • The Dixie Cups

    Iko Iko

  • Professor Longhair

    Tipitina

  • Snooks Eaglin

    Brown Skinned Woman

  • Fats Domino

    Walking To New Orleans

  • Irma Thomas

    ItÂ’s Raining

  • Irma Thomas

    Ruler Of My Heart

  • Otis Redding

    Pain In My Heart

  • Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass

    Whipped Cream

  • Lee Dorsey

    Ya Ya

  • The Meters

    Just Kissed My Baby

  • Labelle

    Lady Marmalade

  • Aaron Neville

    Hercules

Broadcast

  • Sun 13 Dec 2015 20:06GMT
    Â鶹ÊÓƵAV World Service except News Internet

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