Originally composed by Allen Toussaint and recorded for the 1975 album Southern Nights.
Glen Campbell recorded a version of the song released on the 1977 album Southern Nights.
Recorded by Sytrus Brass at Syracuse University in March 2023.
Program Notes
There are many well known song covers that add a whole new dimension to the creative outlook of the original source material, with one such example being Earth Wind & Fire’s cover of the Beatles’ song Got to Get You Into My Life. Looking to the classical music realm, many consider Maurice Ravel’s orchestral arrangement of Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition to be the pinnacle of any version of the initial composition. There is, however, one cover that should be at the top of every music lover’s list, Glen Campbell’s version of Allen Toussaint’s Southern Nights. Toussaint originally composed the song as a tribute to evenings spent with his Creole family in his native Louisiana, and the song was released on his 1975 album, also entitled Southern Nights. The title track of his 1977 album, Glen Campbell’s cover of Southern Nights would would go on to top the Billboard Hot 100’s country, pop and adult contemporary charts. Campbell’s version of Touissant’s song has since remained a permanent part of the popular music zeitgeist, with the song appearing in blockbuster movies, online social media platforms and on the set lists of countless summer soft rock cover bands. In an attempt to capture the pastoral nature of Toussaint’s original, as well as Campbell’s hard driving rhythms of his version, Southern Nights now exists in the brass quintet format. As an ultimate nod to Toussaint, the brass quintet arrangement begins slow and lyrical, with the tuba taking the lead melody. The drum set swiftly kicks in, much akin to Campbell’s cover, with the second trumpet taking over the melodic duties with plunger mute. The arrangement features ample space for solo improvisation as well as a stop time section that features the drum set, with the trombone leading the ensemble to an exciting conclusion! It is this arranger’s hope that all admirers of Allen Toussaint, Glen Campbell and brass music will enjoy this chart!
Shawn W. Davern 