The River in Reverse (CD - 2006)

Personnel: Elvis Costello (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, tambourine); Elvis Costello (guitar, Hammond b-3 organ); Allen Toussaint (vocals, piano, electric piano, Wurlitzer piano, background vocals); Davey Faragher (vocals, background vocals); Amadee Castenell, Jr. (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Brian "Breeze" Cayolle, Carl Blouin (baritone saxophone); Steve Nieve (piano, Clavinet, Farfisa); The Crescent City Horns, The Imposters.

Audio Mixer: S. "Husky" Hoskulds.

Recording information: Piety Street Recorders, New Orleans, LA (11/27/2005-12/10/2005); Sunset Sound, Hollywood, CA (11/27/2005-12/10/2005).

Photographer: Jesse Dylan.

Throughout history, times of tribulation have given birth to strong artistic statements. So it is with THE RIVER IN REVERSE, the collaboration between Elvis Costello and New Orleans R&B legend Allen Toussaint. The two came together during benefit concerts for Toussaint's home town in the wake of the 2006 Hurricane Katrina disaster. One thing led to another, and before long the two legends were composing together and recording an album, forming a pop music mutual admiration society.

Though it's impossible not to hear many of the songs as responses to Katrina's aftermath, a number of them are Toussaint tunes that were first recorded years ago by Lee Dorsey and others. Joe Henry's production and Costello's vocals bring those tracks into the present day while still remaining reverent of their roots. Likewise, the new songs Costello and Toussaint wrote together bear a connection to classic soul but feel perfectly of their time, with a robust horn section and Toussaint's unmistakable piano giving them that indelible Crescent City stamp. minimize