Allen Toussaint & 20 Feet from Stardom
Allen Toussaint is a singer, songwriter, producer and all around musical legend. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer joins us this week to talk about his 60+ year career in music and how New Orleans is in everything he does. Jim and Greg also talk with Morgan Neville, the now Oscar winning director of "20 Feet from Stardom."
Music News
Who can forget Darlene Love belting out her acceptance speech for 20 Feet from Stardom at last week's Academy Awards ceremony? But, of course, the Oscar really went home with the film's director, Morgan Neville. Jim and Greg talk to Morgan about why he wanted to unearth these backup singers' untold stories and why these talented women never became full blown divas. He hopes the film will continue to give Love, Lisa Fischer, Merry Clayton and the rest of the vocalists the acclaim they deserve (without all the pitfalls of fame).
Allen Toussaint
Allen Toussaint is a flat-out musical legend. The New Orleans native has been playing music since the age of 7 and has collaborated with a who's who of the New Orleans scene: Dr. John, Huey Smith, Irma Thomas, Earl King & many more. The piano man has also written songs for Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, DEVO, Warren Zevon, and Patti Labelle. Allen joined Jim and Greg in the studio after the release of his latest album Songbook, a live recording that documents his career via a series of solo piano shows at Joe’s Pub in New York City. Allen talks about about the origins of his most popular songs, like "Fortune Teller" and "Working in a Coal Mine," as well as "Whipped Cream," which became the theme for The Dating Game.
Featured Songs
- Darlene Love, "His Eye is on the Sparrow (Live at 86th Academy Awards)," unreleased, N/A, 2014
- The Rolling Stones, "Gimme Shelter," Let It Bleed, London, 1969
- David Bowie, "Young Americans," Young Americans, RCA, 1975
- Darlene Love feat. Lisa Fischer, Jo Lawry, and Judith Hill, "Lean On Me," 20 Feet from Stardom - Music From The Motion Picture, Columbia, 2014
- Glen Campbell, "Southern Nights," Southern Nights, Capitol, 1977
- Professor Longhair, "Tipitina," New Orleans Piano, Atlantic, 1972
- Allen Toussaint, "It's a New Orleans Thing (Live on Sound Opinions)," Songbook, Rounder, 2013
- Allen Toussaint, "Lipstick Traces," Songbook, Rounder, 2013
- Dr. John, "Right Place, Wrong Time," In the Right Place, Atco, 1973
- Huey 'Piano' Smith, "Don't You Just Know It," Don't You Just Know It (Single), Ace Records, 1958
- Labelle, "Lady Marmalade," Nightbirds, Epic, 1974
- Devo, "Working in the Coal Mine," New Traditionalists, Infinite Zero/Warner Bros., 1981
- Allison Krauss & Robert Plant, "Fortune Teller," Raising Sand, Universal Music, 2007
- Lee Dorsey, "Working in the Coal Mine," The New Lee Dorsey, Rev-Ola, 1966
- Allen Toussaint, "Old Records (Live on Sound Opinions)," Songbook, Rounder, 2013
- Warren Zevon, "A Certain Girl," Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School, Friday Music, 1980
- The Rolling Stones, "Fortune Teller," More Hot Rocks (Big Hits & Fazed Cookies), London, 1972
- Allen Toussaint, "Fortune Teller (Live on Sound Opinions)," Songbook, Rounder, 2013
- Allen Toussaint, "Whipped Cream (Live on Sound Opinions)," Everything I Do Gonh Be Funky: The Hit Songs & Productions 1957-1978, Charly, 2011
- Allen Toussaint, "Southern Nights (Live on Sound Opinions)," Southern Nights, Water Music Records, 1975
- Allen Toussaint, "Night People," Motion, Warner Bros., 1978
- Jim Croce, "Operator (That's Not the Way It Feels)," You Don't Mess Around with Jim, Friday Music, 1972
- Idina Menzel, "Let It Go," Frozen (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), Walt Disney, 2013
- Sly & the Family Stone, "Wonderful World Of Color (Instrumental)," Higher!, Epic/Legacy, 2013
- Sly & the Family Stone, "Sing a Simple Song," Stand!, Epic/Legacy, 1969
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