Blues with a Feeling: The Very Best of Taj Mahal

by Taj Mahal

Overview

Throughout his career, Taj Mahal 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 melting-pot approach to the blues. ~ Steve Leggett

Product Details

Release Date:	09/23/2003
Label:	Bmg / Bmg Heritage / Private Music / Sony Music
UPC:	0886977135224

Tracks

1. Se¿¿or Blues
2. Don't Call Us
3. (You've Got To) Love Her with a Feeling
4. Lovin' in My Baby's Eyes
5. Betty and Dupree
6. Here in the Dark
7. That's How Strong My Love Is
8. Lonely Avenue
9. 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

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Taj Mahal   Primary Artist,Vocals
Eric Clapton   Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Guitar
Etta James   Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals
Sheryl Crow   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
John Oates   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Daryl Hall   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

James Minchin III   Photography
Lonnie Chatmon   Composer
Erwin Gorostiza   Art Direction
Chris Woehrle   Design
Robert Knight   Cover Photo
Charles Foxx   Composer
Bernard Anders   Composer
Inez & Charlie Foxx   Composer
Chester Burnett   Composer
Chuck Willis   Composer
Fats Domino   Composer
Barry Feldman   Compilation Producer
Doc Pomus   Composer
Carey Williams   Producer
Carole King   Composer
Charlie Foxx   Composer
Freddie King   Composer
Walter Jacobs   Composer
Unknown   Composer
John Porter   Producer
Lowman Pauling   Composer
Horace Silver   Composer
Joshua Sherman   Compilation Producer
Jessie Mae Robinson   Composer
Hank Williams   Composer
H. E. Owens   Composer
Dave Bartholomew   Composer
Elliott Federman   Mastering
Gerry Goffin   Composer
Skip Drinkwater   Producer
Sonny Thompson   Composer
Bernard Anderson   Composer
Inez Foxx   Composer
Tom Vickers   Compilation Producer,Liner Notes
Richard Feldman   Composer
Roosevelt Jamison   Composer
Little Walter   Composer
Walter Vinson   Composer
Taj Mahal   Composer