Everything That Was Dear to Me
Posted by Tim Evans on 12/14/2006With the rare appearance by legendary New Orleans singer/songwriter/composer/producer Allen Toussaint at Steppenwolf’s Traffic this Monday, we complete a goal I set out for the Traffic series early last year after Hurricane Katrina. Watching on television the devastation of New Orleans and the surrounding Gulf Coast, I set a goal to bring the most influential New Orleans musicians I could get to come to Steppenwolf and have them perform and tell their stories of their beloved city. Last December, the great Dr. John shared the Steppenwolf stage with the incredible Marcia Ball for two nights during our Traffic Jam. Dr. John spoke from the stage about what he had experienced and how the city would be forever altered. Marcia told stories of survival and heartbreak and hope for the victims of the hurricane and its aftermath.
Privately, they both suggested that if I really wanted to bring in the soul of New Orleans that Allen Toussaint would be the man.
As I found out, Allen had led what could only be described as a quiet, somewhat reclusive life in New Orleans. He had his home and recording studio in which he worked with some of the most extraordinary musicians including the Neville Brothers, Irma Thomas, Robert Palmer, Dr. John and Solomon Burke. As he said “Everything that was dear to me was near to me.” Then Katrina. He boarded up his house as he had done a dozen times before and decide to wait it out at a hotel in downtown New Orleans. When it was obviously that it was going to be worse than originally thought he drove to Baton Rouge, flew to New York and there embarked upon a life he had never envisioned. With the help of friends, he found a midtown apartment, started playing a solo Sunday-brunch gig at Joe’s Pub and joined the fundraising tributes sprouting up all over especially in New York. It was at Joe’s Pub that he hooked up with Elvis Costello and from their mutual respect and new friendship they collaborated on The River in Reverse, their “tribute” recording to New Orleans. He is still living in New York with hopes of rebuilding his studio and home in New Orleans.
Allen toured for the first time in a long time with Elvis and, after many years away from the touring scene, is now performing in very select venues with his band.
Steppenwolf is honored to be one of those venues. With a group of stellar musicians - Anthony Brown on guitar, Chris Severin on bass, Herman LeBeaux on drums and Brian “Breeze” Cayolle on sax - Allen’s night in Traffic will no doubt be very memorable.