Allen Toussaint - Life, Love And Faith
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Allen Toussaint - vocals, piano, acoustic guitar, harmonica, arrangements
George Plummer, Leo Nocentelli, Vincent Toussaint - guitar
George Porter, Jr. - bass
Walter Payton - acoustic bass
Joe Lambert, Joseph Modeliste - drums
Alfred Roberts, Squirrel - congas
Alvin Thomas, Gary Brown - saxophone
Francis Rousselle - trumpet
Clyde Kerr, Jr. - trumpet, trombone
Lee Hildebrand - liner notes
1 LP, standard sleeve
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Pallas
Label : Speakers Corner
Original Label : Reprise
Recorded in 1972 at Jazz City Studios, New Orleans, by Cosimo Matassa and Skip Godwin
Engineered & mixed by John Stronach
Produced by Allen Toussaint
Originally released in 1972
To be reissued in 2022
Tracks:
Side A:
- Victims Of The Darkness
- Am I Expecting Too Much
- My Baby Is The Real Thing
- Goin' Down
- She Once Belonged To Me
- Out Of The City (Into Country Life)
Side B:
- Soul Sister
- Fingers And Toes
- I've Got To Convince Myself
- On Your Way Down
- Gone Too Far
- Electricity
Reviews:
“When Allen Toussaint restarted his solo career in 1970 with Toussaint (aka From a Whisper to a Scream), he leaned heavily on songs he had written for other artists, as well as a couple of covers. It was a good way to jump-start his career, and with its elastic, elegant arrangements, it set the groundwork for 1972's Life, Love and Faith, his first album for Reprise/Warner. Toussaint seized the opportunity as a way to stretch out his sound, refining it and expanding it so it was grounded in New Orleans R&B but also encompassed hard funk and smooth soul. Though it was a soul album through and through, it also had the feeling of being part of Reprise's considerable singer/songwriter stable -- such artists as Randy Newman, Bonnie Raitt, Little Feat, and Joni Mitchell -- and if anything, Life, Love and Faith feels more of a piece with this group than it does with most music coming out of New Orleans in the early '70s because it also captures an eccentric genius pursuing his idiosyncratic vision. Here, it seems as if Toussaint has found every permutation of his signature sound, which is pretty much the sound of New Orleans R&B. He revives the classic, easy-rolling groove on "Soul Sister"; turns it seriously, deeply funky on "Goin' Down" and "Victims of the Darkness"; gets trippy on "Out of the City (Into Country Life)"; treads nimbly with a Philly soul variation on "She Once Belonged to Me"; and crafts a tremendous, dramatic ballad with "On Your Way Down," one of the finest songs he ever wrote. It's a textured, multi-layered record that may not be the purest dose of Toussaint, but is the one album that truly exhibits how deep and wide his talents ran.” AllMusic Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
“The legacy of New Orleans music is vast and diverse. Widely considered the birthplace of jazz, this genre evolved with various incorporated styles. In addition to the Southern African-American roots of gospel, there were Cuban, African, Sicilian and classical direction from around the world. Assorted music legends like Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Domino, Sidney Bechet, The Neville Brothers and Louis Prima were proud representatives of the Crescent City. A key component of New Orleans-based music is rhythm & blues. Perhaps the most influential member of the Nola r & b scene was Allen Toussaint. He was a songwriter, arranger and record producer whose songs include “Workin’ In The Coal Mine”, “Mother-In-Law”, and “Southern Nights”. Toussaint also produced the hit “Right Place, Wrong Time” for Dr. John and “Lady Marmalade” for Labelle. He became a formidable solo recording artist and was inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1998, one of numerous prestigious honors.
Speakers Corner Records has released a re-mastered 180-gram vinyl of Toussaint’s fourth solo album, Life Love And Faith. On this project, he is the center of focus (instead of producing The Meters, they are backing him.). Side A opens with a moody funk number, aided by crisp horn accents, thick bass and a socio-political message, including imagery of “bible in the hand. It is topical 70’s era soul with a repeat chorus. “Am I Expecting Too Much” is wailing soul with layered production, backup vocals and a muscular tenor saxophone. It has gospel inflection and dance vibe. The cohesive, precise arrangement is a staple of Toussaint production. With a combination of doo wop and gospel, “My Baby Is The Real Thing” epitomizes New Orleans soul. Toussaint adds some compelling piano licks. Driving a hard groove with backbeat, “Goin’ Down” distills street credibility with its cautionary reflection on urban life, framed by hard-edged instrumentals. Toussaint’s soul singing is featured on the foot-stomping “She Once Belonged To Me”. This testimony to love is captured with sultry vocals and multi-textured musical expression. Fronting a bluesier edge, “Out Of The Country (Into Country Life)” is set up with a straight-ahead chord progression and stellar musicianship. The theme of seeking a better life in the country has always been a context in Southern blues and soul music. There is a counterpoint between the rural lament and the modern groove-infused aesthetics.
Side B kicks off with a slower deliberate number, “Soul Sister”. It has a joyful pop resonance, showcasing a call and response with the backup singers. It emulates classic Motown or Memphis “slide” feel. Another relaxed groove infuses the sentimental “Fingers And Toes”. Switching gears, “I’ve Got To Convince Myself” is gritty soul with a jagged electric guitar and tack piano. A vocalese interlude and strong horn riffs energize this one. A certain highlight is the blues-laden “On Your Way Down’. The near-mournful translation boasts Toussaint’s best vocal performance. Lines like “…The sun rise, the sun sets…since the beginning, it hasn’t changed yet…” are plaintive and speak to the human condition. With electric guitar and harmonica, the laid-back flow is hypnotic. Picking up the pace, “Gone Too Far” is another “finger-waving” admonition, articulated by 70’s lingo and a buoyant chorus. The finale, “Electricity” is a pulse-driven opus with complex instrumentation and unusual chord changes.
Kudos to Speakers Corner Records for reissuing this album by veteran New Orleans musician Allen Toussaint. ” Robbie Gerson, Audiophile Audition, September 2021
Ratings :
AllMusic : 4.5 / 5 ; Discogs : 4.48 / 5 ; Audiophile Audition : 4.5 / 5