Southern Nights is a concept album by American singer, songwriter, and producer Allen Toussaint, released in May 1975. Seminal to the development of New Orleans rhythm and blues, the album draws on funk and soul styles while "flirting with neo-psychedelia". Two singles were released in support of the album, "Country John" backed with "When the Party's Over" and "Southern Nights" backed with "Out of the City". Although neither single charted, Glen Campbell's cover of the title track would top Billboards country, pop and adult contemporary charts in 1977. Released in May 1975 by Reprise Records, the album has been subsequently reissued multiple times on both LP and CD.
Music "Southern Nights", which would become Toussaint's signature song, was written as a tribute to evenings spent with his Creole family in his native Louisiana. It was brought to the attention of Glen Campbell by Campbell-collaborator Jimmy Webb. Campbell released a cover version on the album Southern Nights in February 1977, which spent four weeks at the top of the country, pop and adult contemporary charts. Toussaint's version of the song was very different from the "cheerful catchiness and...bright, colorful feel" of Campbell's; Stephen Thomas Erlewine described it as featuring a "swirling, trippy arrangement that plays like a heat mirage", while The Times-Picayune remarked in 2009 on its "strange psychedelic-swamp-water sound." In 1994, Toussaint came out of a lengthy hiatus as a performer to record the song in a duet with Chet Atkins for the compilation album Rhythm, Country and Blues.
Bonnie Raitt also had success with her cover of "What Do You Want the Girl to Do", retitled "What Do You Want the Boy to Do?" and released on 1975's Home Plate.
Reception
According to 2002's Louisiana Music, the album is regarded as "perhaps...[Toussaint's] signature record"; in 1994, Toussaint himself characterized the album as his best. Although overall a critical success, it was not financially successful and was not universally well received. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic indicates that the album should be "part of any serious soul collection", but notes that the presence of instrumental filler material "prevents [it] from being a full-fledged masterpiece".
Track listing All tracks composed by Allen Toussaint. "Last Train" – 3:01 "Worldwide" – 2:42 "Back in Baby's Arms" – 4:49 "Country John" – 4:45 "Basic Lady" – 2:58 "Southern Nights" – 3:36 "You Will Not Lose" – 3:42 "What Do You Want the Girl to Do?" – 3:40 "When the Party's Over" – 2:38 "Cruel Way to Go Down" – 3:52
Personnel Performers Allen Toussaint – lead and backing vocals, keyboards, guitar, harmonica Arthur Neville – organ Leo Nocentelli – guitar Charles Moore – guitar Teddy Royal – guitar George Porter Jr. – bass guitar Richy Powell – bass guitar Joseph Modeliste – drums Clyde Williams – drums Alfred Roberts – congas Gary Brown – tenor saxophone Lon Price – tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, flute Jim Moore – tenor saxophone, flute Carl Blouin – baritone saxophone Claude Kerr Jr. – trumpet, flugelhorn Steve Howard – trumpet Lester Caliste – trombone Joan Harmon – backing vocals Deborah Paul – backing vocals Sharon Nabonne – backing vocals
Production Greg Burgess – liner notes Roberta Grace – engineer Gary Hobish – reissue mastering Ken Laxton – engineer Bob Merlis – photography Patrick Roques – reissue art direction, reissue design Filippo Salvadori – reissue producer Marshall Sehorn – producer George Stavrinos – cover illustration Ed Thrasher – art direction Allen Toussaint – arranger, producer
Release history Region Date Label Format CatalogUnited StatesMay 1975Reprise RecordsStereo LPMS 2186United KingdomMarch 1985Edsel RecordsStereo LPED 155United StatesApril 1996Reprise RecordsCD7599 26596-2United States2000Warner.EspCD7599265962United States2006Water RecordsCDWATR 177United States2008Reprise RecordsCD75407
References