Album: The Complete "Tousan" Sessions

Overview
"The Complete 'Tousan' Sessions" is a 1992 compilation album by Allen Toussaint, a prominent American artist, songwriter, and record manufacturer hailing from New Orleans. The album includes songs recorded by Toussaint under the label "Tousan" throughout his early years in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The collection was released by the Night Train International record label to display the musician's unique jazz, rhythm, and blues sound and highlight his early contributions to the music industry.

Allen Toussaint: The Man and His Music
Born in 1938 in New Orleans, Allen Toussaint was immersed in the city's rich music scene from a young age. Throughout his career, he worked with significant artists such as Irma Thomas, Ernie K-Doe, and The Meters. As an author, entertainer, and manufacturer, Toussaint played a substantial role in the advancement of the New Orleans R&B sound that got international popularity throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He died in 2015, leaving behind a musical tradition that continues to influence and captivate audiences worldwide.

The 'Tousan' Era
The late 1950s marked the start of Allen Toussaint's expert career. At this time, he was playing piano in different local bands and beginning to go far for himself as a songwriter and entertainer. In 1958, he embraced the label "Tousan" and launched his debut crucial single, "The Wild Sound of New Orleans", which showcased his innovative design and expertise on the keys. This single and other songs tape-recorded throughout the "Tousan age" laid the groundwork for the highly successful career that would follow in the coming decades.

Album Content
"The Complete 'Tousan' Sessions" includes 27 tracks, mostly critical, that Allen Toussaint recorded as "Tousan" throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s. The compilation includes several formerly unreleased recordings, along with Toussaint's best-known early works like "Java", "Whirlaway", and "Nashua". Throughout the album, a strong New Orleans influence appears, with Toussaint's piano playing typically being accompanied by brass instruments and a distinctive drumming style that draws from the city's jazz and rhythm and blues traditions.

Significant tracks include "Pelican Parade", which features a positive, lively melody showcasing Toussaint's signature piano playing and "Tim Tam", a busy, rhythm-driven track characterized by a strong brass area and tight drumming. "Cinderella", a slower ballad, reflects the versatility of Toussaint's songwriting abilities and stands apart as a more emotional and introspective piece among the other high-energy structures.

Tradition and Significance
"The Complete 'Tousan' Sessions" is a necessary collection for fans of Allen Toussaint and New Orleans R&B music in basic. This compilation offers valuable insight into the early days of Toussaint's profession and is a testimony to his musical genius that would continue to establish throughout his life time. The tunes on this record demonstrate his capability to create captivating and memorable crucial compositions that would lay the foundation for many classic R&B hits in the future.

Additionally, this album works as a suggestion of the indelible impact that Allen Toussaint had on the music market, both in New Orleans and beyond. The music in this compilation is not just a reflection of Toussaint's skill but likewise a representation of the lively and influential musical culture of New Orleans throughout this era. "The Complete 'Tousan' Sessions" is a long-lasting tribute to the distinct sound and spirit of a city that has given the world a lot impressive music.