Taj Mahal: Taj's Blues (CD on Floating World)

Band: Taj Mahal
Label: Floating World
Title: Taj's Blues

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Band:Taj Mahal
Title:Taj's Blues
Reviewed By:Lisa Torem
Date Published:26/03/2019

Label:Floating World
Format:CD
Release Year:2019
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Taj Mahal’s crusty voice and unabashed bravado bleed across this album of beloved classics. The album begins with Sleepy John Estes’s visceral ‘Leaving Trunk.’

“I love this woman better than any woman I’ve ever seen,” the legend croons on ‘Statesboro Blues’ against whipping slide guitar.

In ‘Everybody’s Got to Change Sometime,’ the second cover by Sleepy Jones Estes, Mahal doesn’t kid around. That thumping bassline is delightfully in-your face; Mahal sings, talks fast and makes damn sure you hear what he’s got to say.

‘Bound to Love Me Sometime’ takes us down a few notches, tempo-wise. Mahal’s delivery remains convincingly sweet in this contagious and live rendition. Deep, rich acoustic guitar is all that’s required to make his statements come across loud and clear. Plus, as he dips into his amazing high register, all one’s troubles dissipate.

“I love my baby and I know she’s bound to love me some…”

The J. Hurt cover, ‘Frankie and Albert,’ brims over with rousing backing vocals that embellish but never interfere with Mahal’s own virtuosity. A truly inventive take! For his original, ‘East Bay Woman,’ Mahal doesn’t skimp on story. It’s a nine-minute plus undertaking over which he plucks, double-times and intoxicatingly marinates. When such a fascinating dialogue between a man and an acoustic guitar can take place, it makes one wonder why all the electronic bells and whistles ever came to be.

Time-honoured ‘Dust My Broom’ by Robert Johnson and Elmore James is another quality track. Mahal put a lot of thought into the mechanics but also threw his heart and soul into it.

‘Corinna’ has more of an R & B feel. Mahal’s voice reflects a more contemporary edge here, as well. In his original, ‘Jellyroll,’ the stormy, boogie beat is undeniably contagious. “You’re the finest woman this end of town,” he proclaims and with such clear conviction, who’s to argue? His references to Howlin’ Wolf tie it all up with ribbons.

His arrangement of ‘Fishin’ Blues’ could charm the skin off a bullfrog. This track illuminates Mahal’s unique ability to synch up guitar and vocals seamlessly.

“Sounder Melody” which consists of ‘Needed Time # 2’ (S. Hopkins), ‘Curiosity Blues,’ ‘Horse Shoes’ and ‘Needed Time # 3’ includes smart variances, such as the bluesman humming like there’s no tomorrow, crisp, engaging licks and an easy-going pace.

The instrumental closer, ‘Country Blues # 1’ is an all-out exercise in expertise.
In essence, ‘Taj’s Blues’ goes for the core and won’t back down, revealing the blues statesman at his very best.

Track Listing:

01) Leaving Trunk (Album Version)
02) Statesboro Blues
03) Everybody's Got To Chang Sometime (Album Version)
04) Bound To Love Me Sometime (Album Version)
05) Frankie & Albert
06) East Bay Woman
07) Dust My Broom (Album Version)
08) Corinna (Album Version)
09) Jellyroll (Album Version)
10) Fishin' Blues (Album Version)
11) Need Time #2 (Album Version)
12) Country Blues #1

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