Blues Album of the Day
Taj Mahal (1968)
As far as debut efforts go, Taj Mahal’s self-titled album is an absolute belter. His modern take on classic blues tracks is best summed up by this quote, taken from the sleeve notes: “Now I could play this tune just exactly like Robert Johnson, but what would be the point of that? This is 1968, not 1926.”
Backing guitarists Ry Cooder and Jesse Ed Davis help produce a blistering electric blues sound. The album is a terrific example of the kind of raw energy and fearlessness you often get from young musicians bursting onto the scene.
Every song here is a knockout. For anyone ever feeling down in the dumps, I wholeheartedly recommend listening to the opening track, “Leaving Trunk”. Once Taj gets going on that harp you can’t help losing yourself to the music and letting your spirits be lifted. I defy even the most reserved person to not find themselves engaging in a bit of enthusiastic head-bobbing or foot-tapping.
“I went upstairs to pack my leavin’ trunk
I ain’t seen no blues, whiskey made me sloppy drunk
I ain’t never seen no whiskey, the blues made me sloppy drunk
I’m going back to Memphis babe, where I’ll have much better luck”
Check out the song below:
Another highlight from the album is Taj’s version of Blind Willie McTell’s “Statesboro Blues.” The track is elevated by Jesse Ed Davis, whose playing on slide guitar inspired none other than Duane Allman. The story goes that while Duane had a cold, his brother Gregg stopped by his place and dropped off two items: a bottle of Coricidin, and a copy of Taj Mahal. When Gregg later returned, his older brother was using the bottle as a slide and playing along to the tracks. Fast forward three years, and “Statesboro Blues” had become a permanent fixture in The Allman Brothers Band’s setlist, and the opener to their legendary live album, At Fillmore East.
“Yes now, wake up, mama, turn your lamp down low
Wake up, mama, turn your lamp down low
Have you got the nerve to drive poor papa Taj from your door?”
Overall, Taj Mahal is a brilliant debut album. The downside is that it’s only thirty-three minutes long. However, for an introduction to electric blues, look no further. Be sure to also check out Taj’s worthy follow-up, The Natch’l Blues.
