Word from my family who live in NO was that Allen is a R&B player. However, a collegue on Head-Fi recommended this as a jazz album. That's how I found this recording. I must say the music won me over. I'm a fan of the NO sound including Treme, second line and of course Preservation Hall. This guy bags it owing to the great alliance with his band and a spirited while mellow and tempered piano. Highly recommended. All I can say to Allen, if you're listening, is please do more jazz recordings!! I, at least, will buy them. All the best - RCBinTN

I’ve had this album for a few years now but am only now lending my 2 cents. After many listens, this has probably become my go to music for those lazy mornings when I can sit back and enjoy my coffee, a newspaper or book (not to say this album won’t fit during any time of the day). Like a good gumbo, this album has all the right ingredients and in the right proportions. First rate musicians, song selection and band leader. While I’m not a fan of all things Toussaint, this album is the clear exception. The music takes you to the city of New Orleans, to Cafe du Monde while you enjoy cafe au lait, beignets and the street musicians, or to the back of an old and rundown jazz club for a show. Close your eyes and you too will be there, for some of the best slow moving, foot stomping jazz/creole/blues mash of music you will ever hear!

This old man will never get to NAWLINZ but the music keeps driftin' north across these empty Nebraska prairies at night regardless - exquisite stuff!!!

I have tons of jazz recordings and I continue to come back to this album. The materail and musicianship is stellar thru out. The arragements are interesting, the attention to detail, and the emotional quality comes out in droves. Normally I don't write reviews - but I felt compelled in this case. Do yourself a favor and buy the album. ...and don't get me started on the line up. Ribot, Payton, Byron - you'll see...

Although I'm not a connoiseur of traditional New Orleans jazz, this is what I imagine to be the standard to which that genre strives. Each of these tunes seem to represent the soulful, rythmic and melodic emotional communication that the genre strives to attain. I particularly like "West End Blues", "Blue Drag", the title song, and "Day Dream" on which Joshua Redmond plays a very soulful saxophone. All of the tunes on the album compliment each other and this is truly an "album" that works as such; a whole "album", not just a random collection of tunes. By that I mean it is better appreciated listened to as a whole. It is a great playlist in itself. If you like to listen to really good musicianship, you'll appreciate this body of work.

Brilliant beyond belief! The Big Easy lives again.

Supremely enjoyable album. What he does with the Monk tune is a total gas. Highly recommended to anyone, jazz fan or no.

One listen is all it took & for days I was stuck in the past of pure, thought provoking music by brilliant musicians who loved those that where before them. The compositions are arranged exclusively with a New Orleans, Southern Soulful feel of the 30's, & 40's, but enhanced with great sound...Must have, Jazz fan or not. -Bmask, Lou, Ky

Don't listen to it because Toussaint is a living legend. This is no museum piece. Listen because it's sounds great--brilliant acoustic small-combo jazz with a distinct New Orleans sensibility. Toussaint's piano, in particular, evokes a laid-back feel. If you can't enjoy this you can't enjoy music.

This was rated favorably by a critique in our local newspaper and when I went onto iTunes and accessed it I knew I had to have it. Smooth, laid back, toe-tapping good.