NEW ORLEANS/ALAN TOUSSAINT

Above: A beautiful message and a splendid signature
on the title page of the booklet from the 'Our New Orleans' CD.

Meeting Allen Toussaint at the Brighton Dome last Friday was a rare privilege - particularly post-Katrina. He and the other musicians seemed charged by the tragedy that has hit the Crescent City. 'It was a baptism more than a curse', says Toussaint. We are happy to be able to broadcast our conversation at the Audio Generalist.

Listen up to these two great records: 'Our New Orleans', a benefit album featuring some of the city's greatest artists, and 'The River in Reverse', a brilliant collaboration between Toussaint and Elvis Costello. T & C are touring the album throughout Europe next month. I'm booked in for the Tower of London show.