Taj Mahal / Señor Blues by Rudy Morgan Private Music "Señor blues is what they call him, and he always knows just what to say." Take a funky Latin jazz rhythm, add staccato riffs from the Texacalli Horns, some haunting piano chimes and the gravelly-but-honey-sweet singing of Taj Mahal, and marvel at the title track of Taj's latest release, Señor Blues, an eclectic celebration of black musical tradition from an established blues scholar. But wait, let me guess, a collection of cover tunes put out by a guy named after a 350-year-old mausoleum, whose years of performance number in the 40s, does not fit your definition of fresh and exciting. Sounds maybe more History Channel than MTV. Before dismissing this guy as a dinosaur, however, lend his album a careful ear. You'll find he has a lot to say. Although he doesn't bring in dinosaur dollars for his albums, he's kept going over the years behind the strength of loyal fans and consistent quality. Who doesn't respect a genuine survivor in the music industry? Taj (I'm guessing that's what you call a guy named "Taj Mahal") has shared the stage with the likes of Hendrix, Dylan, Clapton, and the Rolling Stones, and he has visited virtually every long-running blues festival in America. You can't help but find his music infectiously likeable and sincere, never flashy. A gourmet chef on the side, he cooked for the production crew during his stint on the recent H.O.R.D.E. tour. Sometimes he performed on stage still wearing his chef hat or apron. Who would deny that this guy honestly enjoys what he does? With Señor Blues, Taj Mahal sets out on a mission to pass on what he knows as a blues veteran to a new generation of fans. He plays the part of "Señor Blues" (a play on his age and his musical sagacity), digging into the depths of tradition and coming up with a wealth of inspiration, demonstrating to young musicians and listeners what's behind the music of today. He's spent his career exploring these traditions, and God forbid they're forgotten. As the title track says, "by the time that you love him, Señor Blues is gone away." This interesting jazz-blues-gospel-soul album attacks an eclectic set of tunes spanning the likes of Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, and even Hank Williams. The result is not boring and nostalgic but surprisingly fresh and stunningly his own. He takes these tunes and tears them apart. Taj grinds out deep, righteous grooves on "Having a Real Bad Day." He tackles the syncopated rhythms of James Brown's "Think" and gives his own version of the James Brown howl. "Oh Lord, Things Are Gettin' Crazy Up In Here" jumps with gospel-style ejaculations and, get this, a kazoo solo. This album cooks, crawls, and cries in turn. Taj Mahal takes his inspiration from the best of the black music tradition and throws it together like a one-man music melting pot. I can't think of a stronger testament to the power and vitality of these musical roots. Should you run out and buy this album? Sí, sí, señor.

back to Decweb main