The River In Reverse
(Synopsis cribbed and trimmed from Verve's The River In Reverse page.)
Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint's new album, featuring seven songs from Toussaint's back catalog, five songs newly written by Costello and Toussaint, and the title track, written by Costello.
Sessions for the album took place over two weeks in late 2005 in Hollywood, and at Piety Street Studios in New Orleans.
Produced by Joe Henry, the album 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 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.
Tracklist
01. On Your Way Down (Toussaint) [4:55]
02. Nearer To You (Toussaint) [3:32]
03. Tears, Tears And More Tears (Toussaint) [3:30]
04. The Sharpest Thorn (Costello, Toussaint) [4:16]
05. Who's Gonna Help Brother Get Further? (Toussaint) [5:04]
06. The River In Reverse (Costello) [4:32]
07. Freedom For The Stallion (Toussaint) [2:58]
08. Broken Promise Land (Costello, Toussaint) [4:34]
09. Ascension Day (Bird, Costello, Toussaint) [2:58]
10. International Echo (Costello, Toussaint) [4:59]
11. All These Things (Toussaint) [4:07]
12. Wonder Woman (Toussaint) [3:08]
13. Six-Fingered Man (Costello, Toussaint) [4:32]
Running time:
Personnel
- Elvis Costello - vocals, guitar
- Allen Toussaint - vocals, piano
- Amadee Castenell - saxophone
- Joe Smith
- Sam Williams
- Brian Cayolle
- Anthony Brown - guitar
- Steve Nieve - keyboards
- Pete Thomas - drums
- Davey Faragher - vocals, bass
Recorded at Piety Street Studios, New Orleans.
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