For the first time on vinyl, here is a 180g pressing of Allen Toussaint (RIP)’s rare, live 1975 performance in Philadelphia. The late musician, songwriter, and record producer (heard of “Lady Marmalade”?) reigned supreme when it came to New Orleans R&B, and this RSD 2016 features tracks like “Pine Top Boogie Woogie,” “Java,” “Girl of My Dreams,” and “Southern Nights” that mix up the aforementioned genre with jazz, blues, and honky tonk aesthetics. The lively crowd give context to Toussaint’s popularity at the time, and a lot of the songs flow from one to another in a medley, with the master backed by Gary Brown on sax and Professor Longhair on the piano. This Rhino release is limited to 5000 copies, and it includes bonus material and liner notes by Billy Vera, the producer behind Toussaint’s The Complete Warner Recordings release.

• Record Store Day 2016 exclusive
• live album with bonus material
• liner notes by Billy Vera
• pressed on 180g vinyl
• limited to 5000 copies worldwide
• Music Label: Rhino 2016

reviewed by donut savage 07/2016