Blues
Throughout his career, Taj Mahal has always been considered a bluesman, which is true enough, since the basis for everything he does has been the country blues, but he is not a traditionalist at heart, and he has always looked for ways to push the blues into new places and shapes. Adding at times rhythms and sensibilities that are drawn from reggae, ragtime, calypso, zydeco, and other genres, Mahal practices a kind of blues hybrid that is his alone, and he has been a huge influence on newer artists like Chris Thomas King and Corey Harris. This collection derives from the five albums he recorded with Private Records during the 1990s, and overlaps somewhat with The Best of the Private Years, released in 2000. Highlights include his version of Doc Pomus' "Lonely Avenue," a bebop blues take on Horace Silver's "Señor Blues," and an atmospheric reading of Goffin & King's "Take a Giant Step." Among the most interesting tracks here are the ones penned by Taj Mahal himself ("Mailbox Blues," "Cakewalk into Town," "New Hula Blues"), each of which demonstrates aptly the singer's melting-pot approach to the blues.
By Steve Leggett. AMG.
**
I didn't know how big Taj Mahal is on the blues scene until I heard him featured on Jimmy Rogers' All-Stars "Blues Blues Blues" album with such other greats as Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, Lowell Fulson, Jeff Healey, and others. I came across Taj's "Very Best Of" disc and listened to a few samples from it in the record store, and it sounded great... So I bought it. Taj Mahal definitely has his own unique flavor, excellent tunes (whether composed or re-interpreted), and excellent singing voice that is strong and assertive and at the same time very melodic and gentle. His blues range from jazzy to rocky to down-home. Some very classy tunes. When I first bought this disc, it was the only disc I played in my car probably for several weeks until I got thoroughly familiar with it. This disc seems like a very good intro to Taj Mahal's work because it covers a variety of styles and gives you an idea about what this artist can do. He's an underemphasized gem musically, and I hear he's a real class act. I will be buying more of his CDs in the near future for absolutely certain.
By Denis.
**
Henry Saint Clair Fredericks, better known by the stage name Taj Mahal is an American blues musician. Throughout his career, he has always been considered a bluesman, which is true enough, since the basis for everything he does has been the country blues, but he is not a traditionalist at heart, and he has always looked for ways to push the blues into new places and shapes. Adding at times rhythms and sensibilities that are drawn from reggae, ragtime, calypso, zydeco, and other genres, Mahal practices a kind of blues hybrid that is his alone, and he has been a huge influence on newer artists like Chris Thomas King and Corey Harris. This collection derives from the five albums he recorded with Private Records during the 1990s, and overlaps somewhat with The Best of the Private Years, released in 2000. Highlights include his version of Doc Pomus' "Lonely Avenue," a bebop blues take on Horace Silver's "Senor Blues," and an atmospheric reading of Goffin King's "Take a Giant Step." Among the most interesting tracks here are the ones penned by Taj Mahal himself ("Mailbox Blues," "Cakewalk into Town," "New Hula Blues"), each of which demonstrates aptly the singer's meltingpot approach to the blues.
**
01. Señor Blues 6:44
02. Don't Call Us 4:18
03. (You've Got To) Love Her With A Feeling 3:45
04. Lovin' In My Baby's Eyes 2:38
05. Betty and Dupree 6:00
06. Here In The Dark 3:07
07. That's How Strong My Love Is 3:08
08. Lonely Avenue 3:26
09. Mockingbird 3:57
10. Mailbox Blues 3:31
11. Think 2:35
12. Sitting On Top Of The World 3:31
13. Mind Your Own Business 2:41
14. Cakewalk Into Town 3:00
15. Blues With A Feeling 3:52
16. Take A Giant Step 4:37
17. The New Hula Blues 4:45
18. The Hustle Is On 2:39
19. Let The Four Winds Blow 3:07
20. Blue Light Boogie 4:04
**
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