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I've been a fan of Taj Mahal since the early '70s and wore out my vinyl recording of this album long ago. Finally, I was able to get it on CD with Amazon and it is just as great now as it was when I first heard it. With a combination of traditional and folk blues, electric blues, and soul, the album demonstrates Taj's eclectic talent even early in his career.
You cannot go wrong with this album. There is tough mean southern blues, more jazzy pieces, and polished semi-ballads, all injected with 100% blues roots. Just as the Stones were adding unadultrated blues to their rock, Taj Mahal was taking the blues and adding just enough rock flurishes to modernize the music. But make no mistake, this is real blues, played by crack session players--even Muddy and the Wolf were using top flight rock guys at this point-- and sung by a man with a passion and knowlage of the music. It is raw and polished, viceral and sophisticated at the same time. A great record if you are a blues purist, or just a lover of good music.
I first heard this album when I was nineteen years old and looking for to hear something that would inspire me as a musician and human being. This album is life-affirming, community building universal language at its best. It's a shame that in this age of MP3 downloads you miss out on the album cover art and exquisite liner notes. "songs of Mother Euphrates." and this description "this album is the product of a number of musical friends, some of whom do not use music to create their song". And on top of that, very hip, very cool, and very funky. Anyone who thinks they dig modern blues, Americana, musicology or rhythm and blues in general should have a copy of this classic.
I also consider this to be the very best work of a gifted guitar player, Jesse Ed Davis. Taj and guitarist Jesse Ed Davis find a groove on this album that interprets this old and revered style of music in a personal and original way. I've listened to the blues all of my life being lucky enough to grow up in a home full of people who loved music.In a genre such as the blues it's hard to be truly original. He's extremely mellow here,understated but feeling the groove and letting those feelings emanate from his axe. This is Taj's finest work. The happy,country feeling he explores pours out through his vocals,his steel-bodied guitar and his fabulous harp playing. Give a listen to "She Caught the Katy" or "Ain't Nobody Gone Steal My Jellyroll". These songs have been done countless times but never before or since like Taj and Jesse do them here.
If you're the type of person who LIKES to feel bad, then don't buy this CD. Taj Mahal's voice strikes the perfect pitch between soulful sincerity and playfulness. If you like really fine music that makes you feel good, then don't possibly miss it. To listen to this album and realize it was recorded nearly 40 years ago is astounding. Jesse Ed Davis' subtle guitar work is masterful -- this is the guy who inspired Duane Allman to pick up a coricin bottle and learn how to play slide, guys -- in the pocket when it should be, and up front and strong when it ought to be there. An absolutely amazing album.
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