Allen Toussaint - American Tune (Live on Austin City Limits)

[@andrewz4537]

A truly beautiful version, even though his family probably came, not on the Mayflower, but chained on a slave ship. Thanks for all the beautiful music Allen.

[@rckrtcrg1246]

Love this version, Allen Toussaint is a long time favorite dating back to Freedom for the Stallion. There's a great updated version of American Tune by Rhiannon Giddens where she sings "We didn't come here on the Mayflower, We came on a ship in a blood-red moon.." Accompanied by Paul SImon, I think first at Newport in 2022 and then later at the Grammys.

[@rabonour]

@@rckrtcrg1246 My understanding is that Simon wrote the new lyrics for Giddens. I really think that Newport performance is now the definitive version of the song.

[@jackquinn5385]

When people who are legit nice people have amazing talent this is what happens. What a great man; as is Paul Simon.

[@stevenwatson6938]

Allen Toussaint's spirit endures. Such a powerful piece to end his monumental career! Thank you Paul Simon. Thank you Mr. Allen Toussaint.

[@tonfiselier1818]

Steven Watson And thank you J. S. Bach. The melody is his ;-)

[@gtaylordesign]

Delivered with soul and deep seated understanding of the song itself. That line " I'm just trying to get some rest " ... Rest in Peace , and thank you for your labors. You left this crazy world a better place with your music and class. God Bless you ....

[@valmarsiglia]

I don't think there's ever been a time I've heard this that I haven't had tears in my eyes by about the one-minute mark.

[@alexanderwes5204]

This brought tears to my eyes. A true legend brings hommage to another true legend.

[@andretremblay]

Wow. Never heard this version. This one of Paul Simon's best songs. Terrific.

[@bennyjazzful]

GOD---Allen is so,so BLOODY INCREDIBLE. From a mad keen 76yo Aussie fan.

[@ebaylistentomusic]

He never got as much recognition as Paul Simon but he is one of his true peers.

[@Memo2Self]

This was the last song on his last album, which I love, but I didn't know he'd performed this on ACL. Such an important song to hear today, and his rendition is so heartfelt.

[@dynamicvoltage9765]

One of the best songs ever written and a great version of it

[@bennyjazzful]

GOD---Allen is so brilliant. From a mad keen 75yo Aussie fan.

[@garmtpug]

Brings tears to my eyes! What a man!

[@roseofgraceblessing]

"Many's the time I've been mistaken And many times confused Yes, and I've often felt forsaken And certainly misused Oh, but I'm alright, I'm alright I'm just weary to my bones Still, you don't expect to be bright and bon vivant So far away from home, so far away from home And I don't know a soul who's not been battered I don't have a friend who feels at ease I don't know a dream that's not been shattered Or driven to its knees But it's alright, it's alright For we lived so well so long Still, when I think of the Road we're traveling on I wonder what's gone wrong I can't help it, I wonder what has gone wrong And I dreamed I was dying I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly And looking back down at me Smiled reassuringly And I dreamed I was flying And high up above my eyes could clearly see The Statue of Liberty Sailing away to sea And I dreamed I was flying We come on the ship they call The Mayflower We come on the ship that sailed the moon We come in the age's most uncertain hours And sing an American tune Oh, and it's alright, it's alright, it's alright You can't be forever blessed Still, tomorrow's going to be another working day And I'm trying to get some rest That's all I'm trying to get some rest" Source: Musixmatch Songwriters: Paul Simon American Tune lyrics © Paul Simon Music, Sony/atv Songs Llc

[@Warp75]

Much missed God bless ya Allen ✌️

[@crooning4leftovers125]

How sublime a piece to speak to this moment with such poignancy. The supremely gifted Mr. Allen Toussaint; may God bless your sweet, gentle soul.

[@valmarsiglia]

Always chokes me up. Especially these days.

[@jedcampett7328]

Allen turns around the verse.. but it's all right, it's all right you can still be forever blessed

[@ronaldshiffman9171]

Wow and double wow. Does not get any better.

[@TREYOLDHIPPIE]

great song, perfectly done

[@marfacat9406]

soooooo amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Brings tears to my eyes! What a man!

[@broakland2]

Absolutely beautiful, thank you!

[@BrainPolice5]

Just WOW!

[@willypotts100]

"Gone, but not forgotten"♫

[@lesandrumjazzquartet1095]

Amazing show

[@SailingOne0]

Adorable! Thanks for sharing.

[@krnhersh]

Love this and u!!!

[@JoshWatsonandtheOolaMallaBand]

I feel sorry for those 7 people who disliked this.

[@no-nics]

So true~~but they're always out there, aren't they? The haters are out there.... Just means we have to love all that more strongly, creatively, and certainly.

[@theunrealtimemm]

@@no-nics I've never understood why people feel the need to do that. If you don't like it, just don't watch it again. Your view is not The Truth.

[@dynamicvoltage9765]

Makes you wonder what would have someone dislike a video like this

[@gulfcoastbeemer]

Inspiring.

[@Pigeon_Camera]

Kind of getting me through my post-election malaise. I don’t know a soul who’s not been better I don’t have a friend who feels at ease I don’t know a dream that’s not been shattered Oh driven to its knees oh But it’s alright it’s alright But we’ve lived so well so long Still when I think of the road we’re travelling on I wonder what’s gone wrong I can’t help but wonder What’s gone wrong

[@anselmoecheverria6342]

Este es un disco póstumo de una de las mayores glorias pianísticas de Nueva Orleans. Nadie como él tocó con tanta elegancia el blues, el soul y en general la música negra. En el álbum se recogen temas de Earl King, Louis Moreau, Fast Waller y hasta de Paul Simon, también algún tema propio. Piezas tan encantadoras como "Big chief" o esa arrebatadora"Confessin' (That I Love You)". Para la ocasión le acompañan el contrabajista David Piltch y el baterista Jay Bellerose, pero también pasan algunos ilustres invitados como Charles Lloyd y Brill Frisell, entre otros. Toda una maravilla. Música independiente novedades.

[@Beezlie727]

Bravo, sir! 👍

[@younken24films]

Wow! 😢

[@joannehack7588]

My hero

[@shantapaalin8118]

i was lookin for his lyrics, heard him on radio last night on -jazz radio blues- a great moment for me on jan29-2023 - you see... such things come only once in a year... he ist great >Many’s the time I’ve been mistaken And many times confused Many’s the time I’ve been forsaken And certainly abused But it’s all right, it’s all right You can’t be forever blessed When I think of another working day I’ve just got to get some rest I’ve got to get some rest I don’t know a soul who’s not been battered Don’t have a friend who feels at ease Don’t know a dream that’s not been shattered Or driven to its knees Oh but it’s all right, it’s all right We’ve lived so well so long And when I think of the road we’ve travelled on So far away from home So far away from home And I dreamed I was dying I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly And looking back down at me Smiled reassuringly And I dreamed I was flying And high up above my eyes could clearly see The Statue of Liberty Sailing away to sea In a dream I was flying We come on the ship they call the Mayflower We come on the ship that sailed the moon We come in the age’s most uncertain hour And we sing an American tune Oh but it’s all right, it’s all right You can’t be forever blessed And when I think of another working day I’ve just got to get some rest I’ve got to get some rest

[@antoniomaccanti5800]

Please, don't forget this is America, too.

[@skierpage]

I was listening to the Imposter (Elvis Costello) version, and the KZbin algorithm led me to this even better one.

[@connopv]

Nice version of a nice song.

[@DavideRicchetti]

Wow....

[@keryx23]

@2:17 Fantastic.

[@MattMathias]

Considering whats happening in the US nowadays, this song is especially prescient....

[@sallybowles2781]

Paul Simon wrote it after Nixon got elected apparently , the feelings were similar

[@jimgoodinmusic]

Totally agree. This was a Facebook share that led me to this piece. Funny how Simon's lyrics spoke when it was originally written and sadly in the regressed times we are in in the States. Toussaint's musicality and flow, interpretation is awesome in making this his own.

[@carlnoe2]

The fact that it is always appropriate means that it’s classic…

[@TREYOLDHIPPIE]

and I dreamed I was dyin. he was close so are we

[@carlnoe2]

OH!

[@russelmurray9268]

Nothing finer

[@juniorbraganca8588]

Paul Simon sons

[@waterkant999]

This melody was already sung at Nuremberg in 1601

[@nomadseawolf]

Such a perfect song on the anniversary of 9/11

[@williamfreimuth]

God help #US! 4/20/20

[@murphicus]

1-19-21

[@pjakobsen]

Proof that you don't have to be a good singer to make a great impact. Bob Dylan can vouch for that, as can the Sex Pistols.

[@CBCDs]

tim heidecker

[@theloniouscoltrane3778]

More soulful than Paul's... Just sayin' though.. I love them both of course.

[@zoomonkeydotcom2005]

You can NEVER say a cover version is more soulful... (well, I guess you technically can say it because you did say it and you can say whatever you please. forgive the hyperbole :) But hear me out , Paul Simon gave birth to this song . He was the mother and father of this song and conceived it literally from his soul . He is the SOURCE of the song . Anything after his version can perhaps match it but never exceed it in terms of “soul”. The song is a part of Paul’s soul. However , this version is EXTREMELY touching :) peace ✌️

[@unabonger777]

too quiet

[@ROGER2095]

His beautiful, melodic piano arrangement obscures the bleakness of the lyrics. Which is more important? In this case, I'd say the lyrics. A softer, simpler accompaniment with more emphasis on the vocals would have been more appropriate and would have delivered a more powerful message.

[@MrPie]

I think I disagree. Even with the tempo a little quicker and uplifting, I think this version feels humble, chilling, and yet moving. The soft quality of his voice really adds to this piece.

[@6Gutterstar9]

I kinda agree - I'm working out a cover version of A.T. (also on piano; I'll never play it as well Mr. Toussaint, of course), and tonight I played around with a smoother, more ornamented version, but I think for mine it'll tack towards very simple. There's an Amos Lee version that's interesting; his piano guy goes for the more flowery angle as well. Others may find the versions that bring out the Bach of the piece to sound a little staid and stilted. I'll say this, I haven't heard a terrible version of it yet...not even the Starland Vocal Band (not my fave vers tho)..

[@RobertDuryea]

Really?

[@annburlingham4563]

ROGER2095 nonsense. The song in the hands of a master.

[@douglynch8954]

Whatever! I'm guessing Paul Simon likes this. He's just playing the tune and singing the words- Honestly!

[@joannehack7588]

My hero