Search - Taj Mahal :: Best of Taj Mahal: Private Years

"blast from the past"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 04/19/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From Calypso to Delta Blues, Jump Jive to Crescent City Boogie, nothing he can't do - Taj Mahal is the Afro-Musicale in todays "World of Music". Mahal takes the old Hank Williams country standard "MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS" with a soulful twist. Soul is the name of the game with "MR. PITIFUL" an Otis Redding Tune. Taj's makes it very clear with "NEED YOUR LOVIN'" everyday, with a non-stop catchy beat, and hold on with "I'M READY" a big, big "Fats" Domino selection. Sophisticaton has nothing on Mahal with "SOPHISTICATED MAMA" (Washboard Sam), while on the other-hand he's going to buy a "MOCKINGBIRD" (Foxx) with the great Etta James telling it like it is. Mahal is just "LOVIN' IN MY BABY'S EYES" with Horace Silver's classic "SENOR BLUES" never done better with the never-to-be-forgotten opening bridge by the Texacall Horns.The entire album is a "complete blast", no other artist can deliver the performance and still have talent to spare. Every track is what you would expect from - "Best of the Private Years" with the great Taj Mahal!Total Time: 47:05 on 13 Tracks/ Windham Hill - 01005 82189 2 (2000)"