The Bright Mississippi

Allen Toussaint | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 21, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B001PSQGQI
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,877 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #21 in Music > Jazz > Soul-Jazz & Boogaloo
  • #46 in Music > Jazz > Modern Postbebop
  • #75 in Music > Jazz > Bebop > General AAS

Editorial Reviews

2009 release from the New Orleans legend. On The Bright Mississippi Toussaint continues to break new ground with his first Jazz-oriented set, displaying the same effortless swing and relaxed charm he brought to his classic Rock 'N' Roll sides. Backed by an all-star combo that sounds like a group of old friends, Toussaint reinterprets classic Jazz and Blues tunes popularized or written by such New Orleans greats as Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, Jelly Roll Morton and Joe King Oliver, as well as pieces composed by fellow travelers Django Reinhardt, Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk. He accedes the producer's chair to trusted friend Joe Henry, who sat behind the board for Toussaint's contributions to Our New Orleans, Nonesuch Records' best-selling 2005 benefit disc aiding Katrina hurricane victims.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elegant, lyrical and...funky., April 24, 2009

By 

jazzias - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bright Mississippi (Audio CD)

The 71-year-old piano icon fron New Orleans has a released a recording, which is simply dynamic, atmospheric and fizzing.
It's a pleasant amalgam of versions of classic compositions and jazz standards (ranging from Duke Ellington and Django Reinhardt to Louis Armstrong and Thelonious Monk) which sometimes make the listeners rise to their feet and feel groovy.
The theme is Toussaint's acknowledgement and affirmation of the artistic, historical and spiritual connections that have made New Orleans the powerful jazz force it has become over the past decades.
The renowned producer Joe Henry (who had already worked with Toussaint on the CD "The River In Reverse" with Elvis Costello), suggested he revisit the city's jazz era.
For the new recording, which provides a stimulating exploration of Allen Toussaint's unique talents, the "Moses of New Orleans" teams with a cast of heavy weight cats : clarinetist Don Byron, trumpeter Nicholas Payton, guitarist Marc Ribot and, on a track a piece, pianist Brad Mehldau and saxophonist Joshua Redman.
His piano versions of standards such as "Winin' Boy Blues" showcase his utter nonchalance and diplay that funk was always in the Big Easy's blood.
There are rhythms, which are elegant and infectious and spiritual, soulful vibes, in the spirit of a fine evening of Crescent City-inspired music.
The silky, lyrical piano touch and improvisational sweep from Toussaint can give even Herbie Hancock a run.
The results is a very enjoyable and relaxed listening: there was never any doubt Allen Toussaint's long awaited and almost first jazz solo album would be anything other than magnificent.
My favourite tracks: "Dear Old Southland", "West End Blues" and "Bright Mississippi".
Update. The album debuts at # 2 of the Billboard Top Jazz Albums.
Issue date: 2009-05-09
The Allen Toussaint Collection
The River in Reverse

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ...just look at the line up..., May 4, 2009

By 

T. Klaase (Orange Park, Florida United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Bright Mississippi (Audio CD)

Talk about All Stars - look at all the wonderful musicians on this recording... One would be hard pressed to see Marc Ribot playing New Orleans-style anywhere else, although he did cover St. James Infirmary on his solo album "Saints"....

Oddly enough for me, I was more intrigued with the cast than Toussaint himself, but he's won me over with smart selections and lovely playing. Each song has that majestical new orleans feel that one can only understand having come from that environment.

Great job Nonsuch too - for recognizing the need for a project like this... 4 stars...

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I will be listening to this album for years, June 23, 2009

By 

K. Blank (West Hartford, CT) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Bright Mississippi (Audio CD)

Alan Toussaint has brought together a remarkable group of musicians for a warm lively jazz-blues masterpiece that makes me smile. He has delivered my favorite rendition of Bright Mississippi - Thelonius Monk's piece. This album transports me to New Orleans instantly.