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American Tunes
Nonesuch released American Tunes, a new studio album by legendary New Orleans musician Allen Toussaint, on June 10, 2016. Toussaint had just completed the album when he passed away in November of last year during a European tour. Recording took place at two sets of sessions with producer Joe Henry: solo piano at Toussaint’s New Orleans home studio in 2013, and with the rhythm section of Jay Bellerose and David Piltch—joined by guests Bill Frisell, Charles Lloyd, Greg Leisz, Rhiannon Giddens, and Van Dyke Parks—in Los Angeles in October 2015. The album comprises solo performances of Professor Longhair tunes and band arrangements of songs by Toussaint, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Paul Simon, and others.
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Tracklist
Viper’s Drag
03:18
Confessin’ (That I Love You)
02:52
Big Chief
02:15
Waltz for Debby
03:17
Mardi Gras in New Orleans
03:15
Delores’ Boyfriend
03:35
Lotus Blossom
04:20
Musicians
Production Credits
Allen Toussaint, piano; vocal (“American Tune”) with:
Jay Bellerose, drums and percussion
Bill Frisell, electric guitar
Greg Leisz, weissenborn
Charles Lloyd, tenor saxophone
David Piltch, upright bass and:
Adam Levy, gut-string guitar (“American Tune”)
Cameron Stone, cello (“Danza”)
Amy Shulman, harp (“Danza”)
Special guests:
Rhiannon Giddens, vocals (“Come Sunday,” “Rocks In My Bed”)
Van Dyke Parks, second piano (“Danza,” “Southern Nights”) and orchestral arrangement (“Danza”)
Produced by Joe Henry
Recorded by Ryan Freeland
Solo Piano Tracks Recorded May 20–21, 2013, at Toussaint Sound Studio, New Orleans, LA
All Other Tracks Recorded October 1–3 & 5, 2015, at United Recording, Hollywood, CA
Assistant Engineers at United Recording: Wesley Seidman, Monique Evelyn
Production Assistant: Evan Vidar
Mixed by Ryan Freeland at Stampede Origin, Culver City, CA
Mastered by Robert C. Ludwig at Gateway Mastering Studios, Portland, ME
Photography by Michael Wilson
Design by Barbara de Wilde
Executive Producer: David Bither
Other
Albums
The Bright Mississippi