Search - Taj Mahal :: Happy to Be Just Like I Am

Taj's Best Album-Why is it so rare?

Taj Fan | Los Angeles, CA | 06/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is my favorite Taj Mahal record. It hits the soul and transports me to a "happy" place, more than any of his other records. Made in 1971, this seems to be out of print on CD, but luckily I found it on vinyl at a used record shop about a year ago. Amazing purchase! The songwriting is some of his best, with interesting song structures, but still keeping that blues, country, cajun, funk, soul - whatever-you-want-to-call-it sound that Taj is famous for.



"Stealin'" is a slow, funky groove that is almost impossible to listen to without finding yourself shaking and nodding to the beat. "Eighteen Hammers" is a simply acoustic guitar, voice, and what sounds like some "bangin' on a tin can" percussion. It sounds fresh in 2005, and I would welcome this vibe on my stereo anytime. Everything about this album is pure; you feel every note, and you feel the energy of each musicians' contributions. What a concept, a real record with human performance and touch!



"Chevrolet" is a guitar and bass driven tune with some nice percussion and harmonica work. "West Indian Revelation" is probably my favorite track, possibly because I've heard this album so many times, to the point where each song takes its own personal meaning. It features a nice steel drum rhythm, and a group chorus "la la" melody, that gives me chills, makes me smile and feel nostalgic, and has me singing for days.



I have to wonder why few people seem to know about this album. Even on my LP version, the inside liner notes and song listings don't correlate with the order of songs on the vinyl itself. I can live with that though. This album could stay on repeat for days because of variety of the music. There is some good pop, back porch soul, and a couple tunes where you feel like someone is in the room playing guitar right next to you. I would suggest a re-release for this album, and if that doesn't happen, start digging in those used record store crates!"

Bonus.

C. Lee | 01/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"i've been a big fan of taj mahal's rekkids for a while now, blah blah blah, etc etc ad-nausium. picked up a copy of this album a few days ago at a used music place, and it hasn't left my turntable (yeah, i had to go with an lp since the cd is apparently nonexistent) since. just hope to see more folks picking this up. it has his signature sound distilled into tight-wound songs, and everybody's playing is sure enough together. maybe a little harder driving than a lot of the other taj mahal stuff i've heard, but only because the band he's playing with digs deeper into the music on most of the tracks than usual. overall, i'd say, highly recommended, if you want to listen to me."