Taj Mahal
Senor Blues
(Private Music)
Senor Blues, Taj Mahal's Grammy Award
winning disc is, like all Taj Mahal releases, a musical adventure. Mahal covers so much
territory and with such authority that material that would be just another standard cover
in the hands of lesser artists becomes fresh and exciting music when performed by Taj and
band. The music comes across, thanks to Mahal's personality and performing style, like a
personal performance for the individual listener. This is exciting stuff! "Queen
Bee," the opening cut, will have a familiar sound and feel for Mahal fans. The
conviction that you hear in his voice in this original number carries throughout the disc.
Aretha Franklin did not perform the next track, "Think." In fact, it predates
the Franklin number by several years, and comes charging vigorously right out of your
speakers complete with horns and backing chorus. Nice sax solo. The title track,
"Senor Blues" begins with a bass line that's very reminiscent of Albert King.
Quickly, the horns take the song from Memphis to Mexico, then ultimately into the realm of
jazz. It's adventurous and intelligent and a whale of a nice ride. "Sophisticated
Mama," a Washboard Sam tune has a nice Jimmy Reed feel and features that most
sophisticated of musical instruments, the kazoo as the last solo. "Oh Lord, Things
Are Gettin' Crazy Up In Here" is church jumpin' music, a jumpin' gospel lamentation
that will have you knockin' over the plants and coffee tables as you dance around the
house. Please, be careful with this one. "21st Century Gypsy Singin' Lover Man"
is an original co-written by Mahal and Jon Cleary, who made big contributions to this
disc. It's an autobiographical number that's one of my favorites, also. Taj can croon. So,
all you people with Christmas gift certificates out there from a record store (doesn't
that make a great gift?!) need to think about this one, if you don't already have it. I
highly recommend it.
- J. Oblander -
Southwest Blues CD Review - January 1999
Current Reviews -
1999 Reviews - available at our store
