Allen Toussaint once said he could find music in anything, even a light pole. It’s difficult to overstate the importance of the New Orleans composer, arranger, musician and producer to American music. His songs have been covered by everyone from country and pop star Glen Campbell to the rock group Iron Butterfly.

Toussaint is responsible for bringing the New Orleans sound to a national and world stage and helped to keep the old Crescent City R&B alive even though he preferred to stay mostly behind the scenes.

This week on Radio M we bring Allen Toussaint into the spotlight to hear him perform many of the songs made famous by others as well as a few cuts he produced for artists such as Dr. John. Play on Allen Toussaint, play on.

Playlist

9PM

Dr. John- Right Place, Wrong Time-  The Best of Dr. John

Allen Toussaint- Java- The Wild Sound of New Orleans

Lee Dorsey- Get Out of My Life Woman- Freedom for the Funk

Johnny Ventura- Guajira Con Soul- The Bad Boogaloo

Allen Toussaint- Get Out  of My Life Woman- Treme: The Music of New Orleans

Iron Butterfly- Get Out of My Life Woman- Heavy

Aretha Franklin- Rock Steady- What It Is? : Funky Soul and Rare Grooves 1976-77

9:30 PM

Allen Toussaint- Southern Nights- Southern Nights

Paul McCartney & Wings- Venus & Mars/Rock Show- Venus & Mars

Allen Toussaint-  Working in the Coal Mine- Sweet Touch of Love

LaBelle- Lady Marmalade- Lady Marmalade

Freddy Fender- Get Out of My Life Woman- 25 Golden Hits

Juaneco y Su Combo- Lamento en la Selva- The Birth of Jungle Cumbia

Allen Toussaint- Funky Bars- Connected

Ernie K Doe- Mother in Law- New Orleans Rock and Roll

10PM

Allen Toussaint- Bright Mississippi - The Bright Mississippi

Allen Toussaint- Yes We Can- Mardi Gras New Orleans

Herb Alpert’s Tijuana Brass- Whipped Cream- Whipped Cream and Other Delights

Robert Palmer- Sneaking Sally Through the Alley- Sneaking Sally Through the Alley

A great live shot of Robert Palmer.

Joe Sample & Nils Landgren- Get Out of My Life Woman- Creole Love Call

Allen Toussaint- Soul Sister- Life, Love & Faith

10:30PM

Allen Toussaint- It’s a New Orleans Thing- Live at the 2009 New Orleans Jazz Festival

Rolling Stones- Pain in My Heart- The Rolling Stones, Now!

Allen Toussaint- Everything I Do Gohn Be Funky- Sweet Touch of Love

Nuno Mindelis- Get Out of My Life Woman- Free Blues

The Meters- Chicken Strut- The Meters Anthology: Funkify Your Life

30 minutes of the Meters!

Allen Toussaint- Shrimp Po’Boy Dressed-  Songbook

Allen Toussaint- Gotta Travel On- Allen Tousssaint: The Lost Sessions