Search - Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint :: The River In Reverse [CD/DVD Combo]

Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint
The River In Reverse [CD/DVD Combo]
Genres: Blues, Folk, International Music, Pop, R&B, Rock

Track Listings (13) - Disc #1
1. On Your Way Down - Elvis Costello, Toussaint, Allen
2. Nearer to You - Elvis Costello, Toussaint, Allen
3. Tears, Tears and More Tears - Elvis Costello, Toussaint, Allen
4. The Sharpest Thorn - Elvis Costello, Costello, Elvis
5. Who's Gonna Help a Brother Get Further? - Elvis Costello, Toussaint, Allen
6. The River in Reverse - Elvis Costello, Costello, Elvis
7. Freedom for the Stallion - Elvis Costello, Toussaint, Allen
8. Broken Promise Land - Elvis Costello, Costello, Elvis
9. Ascension Day - Elvis Costello, Byrd, Roy
10. International Echo - Elvis Costello, Costello, Elvis
11. All These Things - Elvis Costello, Toussaint, Allen
12. Wonder Woman - Elvis Costello, Toussaint, Allen
13. Six-Fingered Man - Elvis Costello, Costello, Elvis

The River in Reverse is Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint's spirited and deeply soulful new album, including seven songs from Toussaint's remarkable catalog; five newly written by the two; and one new song, the title trac... more »k, written by Costello. Sessions for the album took place over a whirlwind two weeks late last year in Hollywood, CA and at Piety Street Studios in Toussaint's hometown of New Orleans. Produced by Joe Henry, the album masterfully combines Costello's band the Imposters with Toussaint's horn section (Amadee Castenell, Joe Smith, Sam Williams, and Brian Cayolle) and guitarist (Anthony Brown).Toussaint led the ensemble from the piano, with Imposters keyboard player Steve Nieve switching to Hammond B3. The majority of the tracks were cut with the entire group in the room and Costello singing live, occasionally adding his guitar to the mix. Costello selected songs from deep within the Toussaint catalogue such as "Nearer To You," "Freedom for the Stallion," and "Tears, Tears and More Tears." Toussaint kicks off the lead vocal on his composition, "Who's Gonna Help Brother Get Further?" and trades vocal lines with Costello and bassist Davey Faragher on several other tracks.All of the horn arrangements are marked with Toussaint's distinctive style and, commented Costello, "add a second voice" to the title track, the one song that Costello wrote alone. Just before the recording began, the duo holed up in New York to write together throughout October, a quick-moving process that resulted in four songs on the album of various combinations of words and music.The songwriting collaboration began with Costello writing lyrics for Toussaint's beautiful minor key variation of Professor Longhair's "Tipitina." The resulting piece is now entitled "Ascension Day." Other new titles include "The Sharpest Thorn," "Broken Promise Land," and "International Echo."Toussaint previously produced a 1983 Costello cover of Yoko Ono's "Walking on Thin Ice" with the Attractions and the T.K.O. Horns, and also contributed piano to the New Orleans-recorded "Deep Dark Truthful Mirror" from Costello's 1989 album Spike.Immediately following Hurricane Katrina, Toussaint relocated to New York City, where the two renewed their musical friendship at several benefit concerts and club gigs during a seven-day period from the 17th of September, leading to discussions of this new album. The powerful song "The River in Reverse" was written by Costello on September 24th, 2005, and performed by him for the first time at that night's "Parting the Waters" benefit event organized by the The New Yorker magazine. More Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint

King of America

Elvis Costello

Imperial Bedroom

Elvis Costello & the Attractions

Painted from Memory

Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach

The Wild Sound of New Orleans: The Complete 'Tousan' Sessions

Allen Toussaint

Finger Poppin' and Stompin' Feet: 20 Classic Allen Toussaint Productions for Minit Records 1960-1962

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CD Details

All Artists: Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint
Title: The River In Reverse [CD/DVD Combo]
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Verve Forecast
Original Release Date: 1/1/2006
Re-Release Date: 6/6/2006
Genres: Blues, Folk, International Music, Pop, R&B, Rock
Styles: Regional Blues, New Orleans Blues, Electric Blues, Modern Blues, Europe, Britain & Ireland, Singer-Songwriters, Adult Alternative, Soul
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPC: 602498567258

Synopsis

Album Description

The River in Reverse is Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint's spirited and deeply soulful new album, including seven songs from Toussaint's remarkable catalog; five newly written by the two; and one new song, the title track, written by Costello. Sessions for the album took place over a whirlwind two weeks late last year in Hollywood, CA and at Piety Street Studios in Toussaint's hometown of New Orleans. Produced by Joe Henry, the album masterfully combines Costello's band the Imposters with Toussaint's horn section (Amadee Castenell, Joe Smith, Sam Williams, and Brian Cayolle) and guitarist (Anthony Brown).Toussaint led the ensemble from the piano, with Imposters keyboard player Steve Nieve switching to Hammond B3. The majority of the tracks were cut with the entire group in the room and Costello singing live, occasionally adding his guitar to the mix. Costello selected songs from deep within the Toussaint catalogue such as "Nearer To You," "Freedom for the Stallion," and "Tears, Tears and More Tears." Toussaint kicks off the lead vocal on his composition, "Who's Gonna Help Brother Get Further?" and trades vocal lines with Costello and bassist Davey Faragher on several other tracks.All of the horn arrangements are marked with Toussaint's distinctive style and, commented Costello, "add a second voice" to the title track, the one song that Costello wrote alone. Just before the recording began, the duo holed up in New York to write together throughout October, a quick-moving process that resulted in four songs on the album of various combinations of words and music.The songwriting collaboration began with Costello writing lyrics for Toussaint's beautiful minor key variation of Professor Longhair's "Tipitina." The resulting piece is now entitled "Ascension Day." Other new titles include "The Sharpest Thorn," "Broken Promise Land," and "International Echo."Toussaint previously produced a 1983 Costello cover of Yoko Ono's "Walking on Thin Ice" with the Attractions and the T.K.O. Horns, and also contributed piano to the New Orleans-recorded "Deep Dark Truthful Mirror" from Costello's 1989 album Spike.Immediately following Hurricane Katrina, Toussaint relocated to New York City, where the two renewed their musical friendship at several benefit concerts and club gigs during a seven-day period from the 17th of September, leading to discussions of this new album. The powerful song "The River in Reverse" was written by Costello on September 24th, 2005, and performed by him for the first time at that night's "Parting the Waters" benefit event organized by the The New Yorker magazine. More Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint

King of America
Elvis Costello
Imperial Bedroom
Elvis Costello & the Attractions
Painted from Memory
Elvis Costello & Burt Bacharach
The Wild Sound of New Orleans: The Complete 'Tousan' Sessions
Allen Toussaint
Finger Poppin' and Stompin' Feet: 20 Classic Allen Toussaint Productions for Minit Records 1960-1962
Various Artists
Connected
Allen Toussaint

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CD Reviews

A monumental effort for a monumental city.

Soulboogiealex | Netherlands | 06/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When the Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint collaboration was announced I was a bit skeptical at first. Costello's output has been very unpredictable in recent years. Toussaint's latest collaboration with John Henry was endearing but by no means very special. I felt this could become an amusing record at best. Both gentlemen prove me wrong on this outing.

The idea for record probably started after the flood of New Orleans. In the accompanying DVD Costello explains it was initially intended as a Toussaint songbook effort. While working on the project it evolved into more than that. Some five songs here are new collaborations between Costello and Toussaint. What immediately strikes you is how well these two gentlemen complement each other. Elvis' somewhat nasal and sandy voice is balanced out by the ever friendly and gentle backing vocals of Allen, the gruff instrumentations of the Attractions complemented by Toussaint's own Funky horn section and elegant piano playing.

Thematically the album approaches that of a protest album. Costello still proves to be the angry young man he was at the start of his career, albeit not so young anymore. Toussaint classics as "On Your Way Down" and "Who's Gonna Help A Brother Get Further" are complemented with the new "River in Reverse", a beautiful snarling track filled with horror about what occurred in the Crescent City. The album is filled out with some beautiful love songs from the Toussaint catalog that function as a counter to the political material and bring balance to the record. Elvis delivers al these songs with a passion and conviction you haven't heard from him in years. The album is an emotional rollercoaster, it makes you want to laugh, dance, sing, cry and scream, all in the course of an hour.

This album could very well be what Springsteen's Rising was to 911. It is as much a balm for the soul as it is an indictment to the Bush administration and those who left the poor of New Orleans to fend for them selves in the onslaught of the flood. Yet the record never gets bitter. It honors the city's spirit and music. The music is intended to lift you up, to be critical yet soothing, to give voice to anger yet to heal wounds. A monumental effort for a monumental city."

Soulful masterpiece

Terrence Aybar | New York City | 07/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is damn good stuff. It's the kind of album that you listen to while sitting on the edge of your bed, smoking one cigarette too many or maybe staring out your window while the sun sets. After all these years, Elvis Costello is still knocking them out of the park and with Allen Toussaint as a partner in crime on this recording, the result is an album that's so good that it almost hurts. The piano work is exquisite on this album as is Costello's singing.

"Nearer to You" is a great track, as well as "Tears, Tears and More Tears", which somehow reminds me of old Motown without trying too hard. "The River in Reverse" is probably the best song in the album but then again, all the songs are really good anyway so it's almost like saying that a beautiful woman in a room full of them is the prettiest.

This is a strongly recommended purchase, not to mention that there is a nice behind the scenes dvd that comes with select pressings of this album."

A Joyful Rage

EddieLove | NYC, USA | 06/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This tribute to New Orleans and the work of Allen Toussaint in the aftermath of Katrina is powerful and uplifting. A great collaboration - Elvis' agnger informed by Toussaint's humanity

The DVD is excellent as well. Typically, these are just a few videos and some scenes in the studio. The footage here of Toussaint returning to his hometown, as well as some hot live performances, could easily have made a compelling feature documentary. (And have we ever seen footage of Elvis recording an album?)

"

Great

River Rat | near the river | 01/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an excellent arrangement of talent. The songs are great and the DVD provides enriching context. For those of us living along the mighty Mississippi, the music strikes deep. Allen is a terrific pianist and these guys sound very good together. Best song on the whole thing is "All These Things", with River in Reverse running a close second."

Another Sharp Collaboration for Costello Who Gains Gravitas

Ed Uyeshima | San Francisco, CA USA | 08/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Renaissance musician/troubadour Elvis Costello partners this time with legendary New Orleans R&B musician Allen Toussaint, and the results on this disc are quite fulfilling, often languorous and melancholy, all the more fitting given its context after the devastation of Katrina. Even without the relief aspect, the timing of this collaboration somehow feels right perhaps because Costello at this juncture of his career seems to be gaining more gravitas as a musical presence. Produced live and without overdubs by Joe Henry, the crisp-sounding recording effectively combines Costello's band, The Impostors, with Toussaint's guitarist Anthony "AB" Brown and the Crescent City Horns to produce frequently transcendent moments. Costello wrote the searing title tune, a biting sideswipe against the Bush administration's slow response in hurricane relief, and he performs it with his familiar angry-man vigor.

Together, Costello and Toussaint wrote five tracks, the best of which are the swinging, sardonic "Broken Promise Land" and the jaunty, inexplicably titled "International Echo". However, the best cuts are definitely the Toussaint compositions beginning with the opening song, the mournful "On Your Way Down". Several, well-turned love songs add to the texture of the blend, such as "Nearer to You" and "All These Things". It's not all dark moods as the driving "Tears, Tears and More Tears" makes a nice contrast, and Toussaint effortlessly takes the lead vocal on the soulful "Who's Gonna Help Brother Get Further". There is an invaluable DVD included, the half-hour documentary, "Putting the River in Reverse", which chronicles the recording sessions, one of which took place in New Orleans, the first major session after Katrina. Visually as well as aurally, an erudite, impeccably dressed Toussaint makes a striking contrast to the still-grungy Costello. Just as he proved with his wonderful Burt Bacharach collaboration and his orchestral work, Costello can complement his eclectic style in the most unusual of settings."