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. Senor Blues
02. Don't Call Us
03. You've Got To Love Her With A Feeling
04. Lovin' In My Baby's Eyes
05. Betty And Dupree
06. Here In The Dark
07. That's How Strong My Love Is
08. Lonely Avenue
09. Mockingbird
10. Mailbox Blues
11. Think
12. Sitting On Top Of The World
13. Mind Your Own Business
14. Cakewalk Into Town
15. Blues With A Feeling
16. Take A Giant Step
17. The New Hula Blues
18. The Hustle Is On
19. Let The Four Winds Blow
20. Blue Light Boogie
PASSWORD: zinhof