RELEASED 7th August 2026
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(Brand new & factory sealed)
Few musical partnerships have bridged generations, genres and traditions as naturally as that of Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint. Costello had long established himself as one of Britain's most inventive and literate songwriters, while Toussaint was revered as a towering figure in New Orleans music, a pianist, producer, arranger and composer. Their paths converged in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina when both appeared at a benefit concert in New York in 2005. The meeting sparked an immediate creative connection, leading to a collaboration that celebrated the resilience and musical heritage of New Orleans. The result was The River in Reverse (2006), an acclaimed album that blended Costello's songwriting with Toussaint's distinctive musical vision and marked the beginning of a remarkable partnership.
The first performance featured on this collection was recorded on 2 May 2006 for the Canadian Definitely Not The Opera radio series at Spoke Club in Toronto, Ontario. Captured shortly before the release of The River in Reverse, the intimate broadcast presents Costello and Toussaint in a stripped-back setting, allowing the strength of their songs and the warmth of their musical rapport to take centre stage. With acoustic arrangements and conversational interplay, the performance offers a revealing glimpse into a collaboration still in its early stages.
By the time of the second recording, captured at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam on 15 July 2007, the partnership had evolved into a fully realised live enterprise. Joined by The Allen Toussaint Band, The Crescent City Horns and longtime Costello collaborator Steve Nieve, the duo delivered a vibrant, expansive performance that drew upon the rich traditions of New Orleans music while embracing Costello's eclectic songwriting catalogue. The larger ensemble brings added power and colour to the arrangements, with both musicians revelling in the occasion.
1 What Do You Want The Girl To Do? 3:36
2 The Sharpest Thorn 5:13
3 Freedom For The Stallion 2:53
4 The River In Reverse 4:32
5 Ascension Day 2:55
6 Who’s Gonna Help Brother 4:14
7 Nearer To You 2:43
8 The Greatest Love 3:18
9 Yes We Can Can 2:32
10 (I Don’t Want To Go To) Chelsea 3:31
11 A Certain Girl 2:47
12 Tears, Tears And More Tears 3:44
13 Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues) 3:46
14 Watching The Detectives 6:09
15 Pump It Up 3:30
16 Bedlam 5:24
17 Yes We Can 3:30
18 I Can’t Stand Up For Falling Down 6:41
19 High Fidelity 3:20
20 The Sharpest Thorn 6:43