REVERSE RIVER
Allen Toussaint and Elvis Costello, CD/DVD of the Day: The River In Reverse/Putting the River in Reverse (2006, The Verve Music Group)
We lost Allen Toussaint last fall. We will always have his vast contribution to American music, especially the sounds of his New Orleans.
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The River in Reverse is amazing, recorded mostly in New Orleans — in times just after Katrina. The songs were written by Allen Toussaint, Elvis Costello, and/or both. The musicians are international — with strong influence from Crescent City Horns. I traveled the world without ever leaving my own space; and the journey changed my view of music — forever.
The DVD takes us with the recording team, from LA to New Orleans — with a little footage from New York City, too. The views of New Orleans are heart-breaking. The portrait film of the musicians in the studio is grand. The artists and the video team discuss the hurricane, the music, and their collaboration; and they play and play and play! It is remarkable footage; sweet and strong and sentimental — and very powerful.
I am eager to listen again and to view again — and again and again!
My hand-written note on a post-it is stuck on the back page of the liner booklet: “09–22–06, Americana Awards, Ryman Auditorium. Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint are special guests. Bryan plays in Buddy Miller’s back-up “house band.” Shirley and I sit in the balcony and scream. WOW!”
