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Album Review: Allen Toussaint - American Tunes

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"While Toussaint's voice had diminished with age, his playing was still as marvellous as ever."

More Allen Toussaint Allen Toussaint Profile

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.