Album Review: Allen Toussaint - American Tunes

Allen Toussaint was one of the great innovators of the '50s and '60s who made pop music what it is today, and his passing last year was a shock to many in the music world.

For some he defined the music of New Orleans, helping to create a movement by promoting and producing other local artists. American Tunes definitely feels like an album rather than a bunch of songs pieced together from what was available. While Toussaint's voice had diminished with age, his playing was still as marvellous as ever. Re-recording classic songs by other artists, including some who had influenced him, one of the fathers of R&B shines here one last time.