atty1chgo
1006 posts
Jul 19, 2014
11:08 AM
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1847
1961 posts
Jul 19, 2014
11:30 AM
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hell yes
is that jessie ed davis on guitar?
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i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
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1847
1962 posts
Jul 19, 2014
11:39 AM
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is the vocal mic hooked
up to what looks like a fender twin?
i'm not seeing a p.a.
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i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
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atty1chgo
1009 posts
Jul 19, 2014
11:47 AM
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A modern version with The Allman Brothers Band.
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wolfkristiansen
298 posts
Jul 19, 2014
12:25 PM
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Here's the original, from his first album "Taj Mahal", recorded in 1967 and released on Columbia in 1968:
About his harp-- the harp style on this album is unique; unlike any other harp I've heard. I remember Paul Butterfield praised Taj's playing when this came out. Hard to describe, but here are some of the things I hear on the harp on this song:
1. Fearless use of a high keyed harp. It never sounds harsh or shrill.
2. Extensive use of octaves and the 2-5 draw.
3. "Angular" harmonica playing. Hard to explain exactly, but his lines are straight, not curved. Taj bends notes, but doesn't glide down or up to them. He hits bent notes precisely.
4. Unique, deliberate rhythmic approach. I've not heard his rhythmic approach in any other player.
I think he's a national treasure. He's still performing. This month, he performed in France, Spain, Switzerland and Britain. He's in Saratoga, California on July 31st. I've seen him twice, and won't forget his shows. I've always loved his harmonica.
Cheers,
wolf kristiansen
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Ted Burke
76 posts
Jul 19, 2014
12:27 PM
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This would be in my list of ten most important harmonica performances that influenced the way I play. The playing, from the head, the fills and the solo, are absolutely perfectly for tone, phrasing, power and feel. Thanks for posting.
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Gipsy
77 posts
Jul 19, 2014
1:15 PM
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Machines were nice and men were lions once upon a time. Now that it's the opposite it's twice upon a time. Oops. Moondog not Taj Mahal. My bad!
Last Edited by Gipsy on Jul 20, 2014 11:17 PM
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walterharp
1463 posts
Jul 19, 2014
2:07 PM
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hey my friend is working on a biography of him, so if any of you know taj directly and have interesting stories, let me know and I will have him call you..
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Johnny Charles
42 posts
Jul 19, 2014
4:06 PM
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Walterharp....have your friend contact Ozzie Williams and the Marion St Band. Ozzie is Taj's son and a wonderful drummer/vocalist. Marion St. is where they grew up in my hometown of Springfield mass.
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JustFuya
331 posts
Jul 19, 2014
4:22 PM
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In the 80s he played in a samll room above the Moonshine Bar on Clement St. in SF. I didn't even know the bar had entertainment. I was sitting on my stool when the bartender informed me that Taj would be playing that night. Very opportune placement for me since the show was not advertised and I am a big fan. She later whispered that George Lucas and Linda Ronstadt would be attending.
I was surprised when I entered the room and saw about 50 folding chairs facing an upright piano sitting against a side wall. No harp, just Taj singing and playing. Beautiful and intimate.
Someone later told me that Taj Majal is not a big room player and preferred small venues. I don't know if that's true but I always thought he could fill an arena.
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atty1chgo
1010 posts
Jul 19, 2014
4:28 PM
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I'll be seeing him play a few times on the Blues Cruise this October (with the Taj Mahal Trio), where he is one of the headliners. I really love when he plays with the trio format, he does a lot more finger picking on his acoustic guitar. I'll share some video here when I get back.
Last Edited by atty1chgo on Jul 19, 2014 4:29 PM
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walterharp
1464 posts
Jul 20, 2014
8:22 AM
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Thanks Johnny,
He has been in touch with the family. There is apparently and early recording near amherst that he is trying to run down that was done with Buffy Sainte-Marie, some guy recorded them in a cofffe shop and got permissions etc, but nobody seems to know who it is...
how about 3rd position chro...
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The Iceman
1834 posts
Jul 20, 2014
8:27 AM
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De Ol' Folks Back Home/Giant Step two album set was one of my early influences for harmonica/music.
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The Iceman
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messy ventura
135 posts
Jul 20, 2014
8:44 AM
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This is the Taj I remember seeing (hearing) in the 60's right down to the beer can "pull tab" hat band. Taj , Owsley and the innocence of youth. Fond memories.
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