Finger Poppin' And Stompin' Feet - 20 Classic Allen Toussaint Productions For Minit Records 1960-1962

This blog has been semi-dormant lately. I might post a few things in the near future but the text would be brief.
Here's a compilation of Allen Toissaint's songwriting/producing work from the early 60s - that great New Orleans sound on the crossroads of blues, soul, girl-group pop, R'n'B, early funk... He is the great unknown figure behind the scene. I knew a few hours' worth of his songs before I first heard his name: "Ooh Poo Pah Doo" as covered by Ike and Tina Turner, "A Certain Girl" (Yardbirds), "Pain in My Heart" (Otis Redding), The Stones' version of "Fortune Teller," several covers of "Get Out of My Life, Woman", "Lady Marmalade" which I actually played in one of my bands, several superb tracks by Irma Thomas (It's Raining, Take a Look, Cry On) etc.etc.

AMG review: Allen Toussaint is a giant of American popular music, but his work was primarily behind the scenes as a songwriter, producer, arranger, and sessionman. Even as a leader, his songs and recordings became better-known through interpretations and assimilations from such artists as Glen Campbell, Lowell George, and Bonnie Raitt, instead of his darkly sensual, funky records of the '70s. That's why a collection like Finger Poppin' and Stompin' Feet: 20 Classic Allen Toussaint Productions is so welcome -- it shines a spotlight on Toussaint's most influential work as a producer and songwriter, all from the vaults of Minit Records. This is hardly the totality of Toussaint's contributions -- not only are his solo recordings nowhere to be seen, such brilliant work as his collaborations with Lee Dorsey are nowhere to be heard on this disc -- but it's an exuberant celebration of a musician at the top of his game. Plus, it's just a hell of a good listen, nearly a greatest-hits collection of New Orleans R&B as a whole, thanks to such classics as the Showmen's "It Will Stand"; Ernie K-Doe's "Mother-in-Law," "A Certain Girl," and "I Cried My Last Tear"; Aaron Neville's "Over You"; Jessie Hill's "Ooh Poo Pah Doo, Pt. 1"; Benny Spellman's "Fortune Teller" and "Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette)"; and Irma Thomas' "Ruler of My Heart" and "It's Raining." In addition to those, there are lesser-known gems from the same artists, plus cult artists like the Del Royals and Allen Orange, which add seasoning to a collection already bursting with flavor. Even if you already know Allen Toussaint's work and reputation, it's a revelation and a joyous listen. And, needless to say, it's also essential to any pop or R&B collection.


Finger Poppin' And Stompin' Feet
20 Classic Allen Toussaint Productions For Minit Records 1960-1962
REUP: 320kbps, 94mb on mediafire
1. The Showmen – It Will Stand
2. Ernie K-Doe – Mother-In-Law
3. Aaron Neville – Over You
4. Allen & Allen – Heavenly Baby
5. Jessie Hill – Ooh Poo Pah Doo, Pt. 1
6. Ernie K-Doe – Tain't It The Truth
7. Irma Thomas – Cry On
8. Allen Orange – True Love Never Dies
9. Aaron Neville – Let's Live
10. Ernie K-Doe – Te-Ta-Te-Ta-Ta
11. Jessie Hill – Whip It On Me
12. Benny Spellman – Fortune Teller
13. Ernie K-Doe – I Cried My Last Tear
14. Benny Spellman – Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette)
15. The Del-Royals – Always Naggin' (Grumblin' Fussin' Nag Nag)
16. Irma Thomas – It's Raining
17. Ernie K-Doe – A Certain Girl
18. The Showmen – 39-21-46
19. Irma Thomas – Ruler Of My Heart
20. Jessie Hill – Ooh Poo Pah Doo, Pt. 2