Ultimate Session

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Music reviews of Ultimate Session

Music Review: This IS gold!
Rating: 3 Stars

Allen Toussaint, Dr John, Lee Allen, Alvin Tyler, Earl Palmer, and a supporting cast of bass, drums, horn section, and backing vocals.

If you're a fan of the golden era of New Orleans R&B, or like any of the artists above, there's something in here for you. Second-line grooves, solo jazzy piano (where the Good Doctor, Mr Toussaint and third pianist Edward Frank share the spotlight), and a few classics re-visited and re-worked ('Trick Bag', 'Don't You Just Know It', 'Junco Partner') make for a varied track selection - but what more would you expect from New Orleans?

Allen Toussaint and Dr John share lead vocal duties on the cuts included here. The surprise is that Dr John plays piano on only one track - he plays great guitar on all the others (remember that he had a career as a guitarist before that bullet meant for Ronnie Barron damaged his finger). Meanwhile, Allen Toussaint alternates between piano, synth and organ.

This is by no-means a showcase for the keyboardists: the horn players provide great accompaniment, and Alvin and Lee get the chance to shine here. And anyone that wants to argue with Earl Palmer's killer second-line grooves, R&B ballad drumming or rock & roll chops, better think twice!

The Ultimate Session? I'm sure everyone could come up with their own 'ultimate' list for a New Orleans all-star session, but that's not the point. This album sounds like fun!!

Description of Ultimate Session

Blues CDs

• Music > Styles
• Jazz
• New Age