Songbook

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The devastation that Hurricane Katrina unleashed on New Orleans led Allen Toussaint to relocate to New York City, where he performs regularly at Joe’s Pub. Two of those shows were taped in 2009; they're presented here as one long flowing set, complete with brief but friendly between-song chatter as Toussaint sits at his piano. A living legend older than 70, Toussaint sounds like a younger man still deeply connected to his audience and his surroundings. His performance of “No Place Like New York” is a poignant love letter to a new hometown. He still deals “It’s a New Orleans Thing,” “I Could Eat Crawfish Everyday," and “Shrimp Po-Boy, Dressed” with style and wit befitting the Big Easy’s favorite son. He sings songs he wrote, songs he arranged for others, songs he wished he’d written, and songs he’s glad he didn’t write. One listen to “Freedom for the Stallion,” “St. James Infirmary,” “Certain Girl Medley,” or the long confessional “Southern Nights," and it’s clear this master is still working hard.

via Apple Music