I haven't followed Taj Mahal's career as he collected five Grammys and several other awards. I have loved the one Taj Mahal record in my collection, 1977's Music Keeps Me Together since it was released. His mix of traditional roots blues, Brazilian, African and Caribbean influences, and his skill on vocals, guitar and harmonica plus an all-star cast of supporting musicians make it just a great record. I'm embarrassed that I didn't pursue more of his music after loving that one so much.
Of his more recent ones that I have heard, Get On Board with Ry Cooder was a just a bit too acoustic traditional blues for me (it's very good), and TajMo with Keb' Mo' was too MOR blues-pop for my taste, as is much of Keb' Mo's more recent work.
But this record is pretty great. Life of Love kicks it off with an upbeat blues celebration. Wild About My Lovin' is a good time with an island rhythm. Crazy About A Jukebox is New Orleans swing featuring Jon Cleary's piano and wonderful horn charts. The title track is a lost Bill Withers song that is nice R&B. You Put The Whammy On Me is just OK but a hot Johnny Lee Schell guitar break saves it. Ziggy Marley guests on his father's Talkin' Blues, and Taj does reggae proud every time, so it's solid. The Chicago blues of Sweet Lorene is good R&B.
Taj's take on Ask Me 'Bout Nothing (But The Blues) is a highlight, and Taj gives it the best vocal performance on the record. It's a great song, and Taj nails it. The fast blues of It's Your Voodoo Working rocks. The funky down home blues of Rowdy Blues is killer, and Cleary again stars on piano. The record could have featured a few more in this vein.
There's a few weak lyrics on a couple songs, but that's nitpicking. The Phantom Blues Band is more than capable, and with Cleary on piano and Mick Weaver on organ the instrumentation is excellent.
Recommended. Now I have to go spend some time with fifty years of Taj Mahal's back catalog to hear what I've been missing.
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