Phases & Stages

Allen Toussaint

Piano patriarch evacuates the Big Easy for the Big Apple, where like-minded sessionistas young (Nicholas Payton) and old (Marc Ribot) mean Ellington standard "Day Dream" almost doesn't miss Johnny Hodges and closer "Solitude" compliments Dr. John's inspired Duke Elegant. Don Byron reeds his best Sidney Bechet for the professor, whose thoughtful dialogues encompass all configurations of American roots music while being constrained by none.