This is the week we honor military service veterans, but this year we honored a veteran not only of our armed forces, but of another kind: a musical veteran with sixty years of service. Allen Toussaint indeed went out with his boots on, on tour, of a heart attack at 77. He was an Army man from 1963-1965, but his contribution to the New Orleans canon began in the fifties as a session pianist/guitarist (a career trajectory similar to Doctor John's) under songwriter/producer Dave Bartholomew. By the early seventies, his place in musical history was secure, a legend of creole jazz/blues/soul/funk/boogie. Not only was Toussaint born in New Orleans, he WAS New Orleans, defining the city's fine tradition perhaps even more so than his early influences Professor Longhair and Fats Domino, or the aforementioned Night Tripper, Neville Brothers, Meters, or Wynton Marsalis. Following Bartholomew's tutelage, Toussaint opened his own studio after becoming a house songwriter/producer in his own right. The Rolling Stones recorded his "Fortune Teller" at their third session, in Summer 1963, when they were still primarily country/delta/Chicago blues, Chuck Berry/Jimmy Reed fanatics. Appositely, The Yardbirds tracked "A Certain Girl" at their own third session, March 1964, with Eric Clapton (trivia: the other song they did that day: "I Wish You Would"). The Stones posted their version on social media as a tribute Tuesday. Cajun institution The Meters was the producer's house band, recording their first instrumental album in 1969; their second, from later that year, was titled after Toussaint's "Looka Py Py". Mac Rebennack (Dr. John, The Night Tripper) was already a legend by the time he had his contemporary fellow N'awlins native produce, arrange, and play on an album for him. Right Place Wrong Time (1973) included "Life", the definition of syncopation; Positively Bonaroo followed the following year, and both were backed by The Meters. By now, the craftsman had begun his own solo career. His debut, from 1970, included the statement of purpose "Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky". In Winter 1975, Paul McCartney brought his Wings to  the bayou studio to record Venus And Mars, using the instrumental talents of its owner/operator despite an abundance of the band's own. Sir Paul issued a statement Tuesday recognizing Toussaint's "massive songwriting talent", although all credits on the album were his own. Finally, most controversially, during the heart of the roots reggae movement in 1977, The Mighty Diamonds recorded outside of Kingston for the first time in a decade,  travelling to lower Louisiana for their second full length Ice On Fire. Three songs bore the producer's authorship, including "Sneakin Sally Through The Alley", previously covered by Robert Palmer on his 1974 debut.
    Seasonally apropos, the Saints football team saluted the fallen idol on Facebook, a classy move that reminded me why I'm a fan.
    Not so apropos for the season - it's three and a half months away - Allen Toussaint and his projects remain quintessential Mardi Gras music. Best enjoyed with Southern Comfort. Cheers - Saint Stone