The Bright Mississippi
Nonesuch Records released The Bright Mississippi, Allen Toussaint’s first solo album in more than a decade, on April 21, 2009. Produced by friend and frequent collaborator Joe Henry, the record includes songs by jazz greats such as Sidney Bechet, Jelly Roll Morton, Django Reinhardt, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, and Billy Strayhorn. Toussaint and Henry created a band of highly regarded musicians for the sessions: clarinetist Don Byron, trumpeter Nicholas Payton, guitarist Marc Ribot, bassist David Piltch, and percussionist Jay Bellerose. Additionally, pianist Brad Mehldau and saxophonist Joshua Redman each join Toussaint for a track. The Bright Mississippi was reissued on 140-gram vinyl on June 10, 2016.
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Tracklist
Egyptian Fantasy
04:41
Bright Mississippi
05:08
St. James Infirmary
03:52
Singin’ the Blues
05:40
Winin’ Boy Blues
06:42
West End Blues (Joe Oliver / Clarence Williams)
03:52
Blue Drag
04:22
Musicians
Production Credits
Allen Toussaint, piano (1-12), vocals (11) with:
Don Byron, clarinet
Nicholas Payton, trumpet
Marc Ribot, acoustic guitar
David Piltch, upright bass
Jay Bellerose, drums and percussion
and special guests
Brad Mehldau, piano (5)
Joshua Redman, tenor saxophone (10)
Produced by Joe Henry
Recorded March 19-22, 2008, by Kevin Killen at Avatar Studios, New York
Assisted by Anthony Ruotolo
Mixed by Kevin Killen at Sevonay Sound and Avatar Studios, New York
Assisted at Avatar by Rick Kwan
Cover photography by William Claxton (New Orleans, 1960)
Additional photography: Michael Wilson and John Cohen
Design: Sequel Studios
Other
Albums