Tag Archives: Taj Mahal

Potliquor: Louisiana Rock & Roll

In January 1973, “Janus” label released “Louisiana Rock & Roll”, the third Potliquor album. It was recorded in 1972, at “Deep South Recording Studio” in New Orleans, and was produced by Jim Brown.

Personnel:

  • Les Wallace – vocals, guitars
  • George Ratzlaff – vocals, keyboards
  • Guy Schaeffer – vocals, bass guitar
  • Leon Medica – vocals, bass guitar
  • Jerry Amoroso – vocals, drums, percussion
  • Cy Frost – piano, clavinet, Moog synthesizer, horn and string arrangements
  • Glenn Spreen – horn and string arrangements
  • Lee Fortier – horns
  • Art DeCesare – horns
  • Bud Brasher – horns
  • Pete Verbois – horns
  • Bill Ludwig – horns
  • Nick Rousse – horns
  • Charlie Depuy – horns
  • Uncle Buck Wood – fiddle
  • Gail and David Amoroso – handclaps
  • Strings on “For You” – a combined section of the New Orleans Symphony and Baton Rouge Symphony
  • Cy Frost – recording, production consultant
  • Peter Granet – remix
  • F. Alessandrini – artwork
  • Dawn Studios – album cover design
  • Mia Krinsky – album coordination
  • J. W. deBuys – photography
  • Bob Scerbo – production coordinator

Track listing:

  1. You Can’t Get There from Here – Casey Kelly
  2. Waitin’ for Me at the River – George Ratzlaff
  3. Taj and Jimmy’s Blues – Taj Mahal, Al Smith, Jimmy Reed
  4. Rip It Up – Marascalco Blackwell
  5. H – Lee Wallace, Lauretta Wallace
  6. Louisiana Rock ’n’ Roll – George Ratzlaff
  7. St. Jude’s Blues – Jerry Amoroso
  8. Born Under a Bad Sign – Booker T. Jones, William Bell
  9. Guitar Boogie – George Ratzlaff
  10. For You – Les Wallace

Keb’ Mo: Oklahoma

On June 14, 2019, “Concord” label released “Oklahoma”, the fourteenth Keb’ Mo’ studio album. It was recorded in 2018, at “Stu Stu Studio” and was produced by Colin Linden and Keb’ Mo’.

Personnel:

  • Keb’ Mo’ (Kevin Moore) – lead and backing vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, steel guitar, bass, mandolin, harmonica, percussion, shaker
  • Rosanne Cash – vocals
  • Taj Mahal -vocals
  • Robert Randolph – lap steel guitar
  • Jaci Velasquez – vocals
  • Eric Ramey – bass
  • Marcus Finnie – drums
  • Chester Thompson – drums
  • Keio Strouds – drums
  • Colin Linden – electric guitar, mandolin
  • Jim Hoke – Wurlitzer piano, accordion
  • David Rodgers – keyboards
  • Samuel Alexander – keyboards, Hammond organ, electric piano
  • DeMarco Johnson – Hammond organ
  • Jovan Quallo – saxophone
  • Josh Scalf – trombone
  • Scotty Huff – trumpet
  • Corrie Covell, Michael O’Gieblyn – violin
  • Emily Kohavi – viola
  • Cremaine Booker – cello
  • Carter Moore, Dara Tucker, Robbie Brooks Moore, Dara Tucker, Emoni Wilkins, Jason Eskridge, Moiba Mustapha, Nickie Conley- backing vocals
  • Melvin “Maestro” Lightford – string arrangements
  • Zach Allen – recording
  • Alex Jarvis, Dave Hagen, Joe Martino – mixing
  • Bernie Grundman – mastering
  • David Diskin, Lori Lambert – art direction
  • Michele Morgan – artwork
  • Jeremy Cowart – photography
  • Anthony Scarlati, Christy Watkins, Robbie Brooks Moore – additional photography

Track listing:

  1. I Remember You – Bill LaBounty, Kevin Moore
  2. Oklahoma – Dara Tucker, Kevin Moore
  3. Put a Woman in Charge – Beth Nielsen Chapman, John Lewis Parker, Kevin Moore
  4. This Is My Home – John Lewis Parker, Kevin Moore
  5. Don’t Throw It Away – Charles Esten, Colin Linden, Kevin Moore
  6. The Way I – John Lewis Parker, Kevin Moore
  7. Ridin’ on a Train – Jenny Yates, Kevin Moore
  8. I Should’ve – Joseph Alan Wood, Kevin Moore
  9. Cold Outside – Cliff Goldmacher, Kevin Moore 
  10. Beautiful Music – John Lewis Parker, Kevin Moore

Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo: TajMo

On May 5, 2019, “Forever Living Originals” label released “TajMo” album by Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’. It was recorded in 2019, and was produced by Tom Campbell and Inflo. At the 2018 “Grammy Award” it won the award for “Best Contemporary Blues Album”. “TajMo” is the twenty-sixth Taj Mahal studio album and the thirteenth Keb’ Mo’ album.

Personnel:

  • Taj Mahal – vocals, guitar, harmonica
  • Keb’ Mo’ – vocals, electric guitar, keyboards, percussion
  • Billy Branch – harmonica
  • Michael B. Hicks – keyboards
  • Sam Levine – tenor saxophone
  • Roger Bissell – trombone
  • Keith Everette – trumpet
  • Lizz Wright – backing vocals
  • Phillip Moore – bass
  • Thaddeus Witherspoon – drums

Track listing:

  1. Don’t Leave Me Here
  2. She Knows How To Rock Me
  3. All Around The World
  4. That’s Who I Am
  5. Shake Me In Your Arms
  6. Waiting On The World To Change
  7. Ain’t Nobody Talkin’
  8. Diving Duck Blues
  9. Squeeze Box
  10. Soul
  11. Om Sweet Om

Howard Johnson

On January 11, 2021, Howard Lewis Johnson died aged 79. He was musician (tuba, baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, trumpet), member and leader of the tuba ensembles Tuba Libre, Substructure, and Gravity. He recorded and performed with some of the world best known musicians and bands, including George Gruntz, Hank Crawford, Gil Evans, Charles Mingus, Hank Crawford, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Archie Shepp, Hank Mobley, Levon Helm, Tomasz Stanko, Gary Burton, Gábor Szabó, Bob Thiele, Charlie Haden, Jazz Composers, Andrew Hill, Leon Thomas, Johnny Coles, Taj Mahal, Charles Tolliver, The Band, Carla Bley, John Lennon, Sam Rivers, Gato Barbieri, Jaco Pastorius, Muddy Waters, Dexter Gordon, Clifford Jordan, David “Fathead” Newman,  James Taylor, Jack De Johnette, Jimmy Heath, Franco Ambrosetti, George Gruntz, Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, NDR Big Band, Ray Anderson, Barbara Dennerlein, John Scofield, T. S. Monk, Mario Pavone, and Chet Baker. As leader he released four albums.

Richie Hayward

On August 12, 2010, Richard “Richie” Hayward died aged 64. He was a musician (drums), best known as the drummer of Little Feat. Hayward recorded and performed with many artists including Paul Rodgers, The Doobie Brothers, Bob Dylan, Peter Frampton, Buddy Guy, Arlo Guthrie, Al Kooper, Linda Ronstadt, Bob Seger, Carly Simon, Nancy Sinatra, Stephen Stills, Tom Waits, John Cale, Warren Zevon, Warren HaynesJoan Armatrading, Delaney Bramlett, Kim Carnes, Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder, James Cotton,  Jonny Lang, Barbra Streisand, Eric Lynn, Nils Lofgren, Taj Mahal, Coco Montoya, Robert Palmer, Van Dyke Parks, Robert Plant, Helen Watson, and Jimmy Herring.

Taj Mahal And The Hula Blues Band: Sacred Island

On April 7, 1998, “Private Music” label released “Sacred Island”, album by Taj Mahal and The Hula Blues Band. It was recorded in May 1997, at “Messenger Studios” in Hawaii, and was produced by Carey Williams.

Personnel:

  • Taj Mahal – vocals, guitar, harmonica
  • Carlos Andrade – lead and backing vocals, guitar, slack key guitar, tenor Ukelele, ukulele
  • Rudy Costa – clarinet, flute, kalimba, pan pipes, alto curved soprano saxophone, zither, backing vocals
  • Wayne Jacinhto – guitar, slack key guitar, tenor ukelele, ukulele, backging vocals
  • Patrick Cockett – liliu ukulele, ukulele, backing vocals
  • Michael Barretto – ukulele, backing vocals
  • Pancho Graham – acoustic guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
  • Fred Lunt – steel guitar
  • Kester Smith – drums, cowbell
  • Carey Williams – backing vocals
  • John Gilleron – engineer
  • Daryn Roven – mixing
  • Dug Nichols – mixing
  • Bernd Steinwedel – mastering
  • Sonny Mediana – art direction
  • Petra Hanisch – photography

Track listing:

All tracks by Taj Mahal, except where noted.

  1. The Calypsonians
  2. Coconut Man – Frederic Hibbert
  3. Sacred Island (Moku La’a)
  4. Betty and Dupree – Chuck Willis
  5. The New Hula Blues
  6. No Na Mamo – Carlos Andrade
  7. Mailbox Blues
  8. Kanikapila – Taj Mahal, Rudy Costa, Kester Smith, Pancho Graham

Paul Barrere

On October 26, 2019, Paul Barrere died aged 71. He was musician (guitar) and songwriter. He recorded and performed with Taj Mahal, Jack Bruce, Chicken Legs, Blues Busters, Valerie Carter,  Helen Watson, Chico Hamilton, Robert Palmer, Eikichi Yazawa, and Carly Simon, but was best known as guitarist of Little feat.

Johnny Hallyday: Le Cœur d’un homme

On November 12, 2007, “WEA” label released “Le Cœur d’un homme”, album by Johnny  Hallyday. It was recorded in 2007, and was produced by Yvan Cassar.

Personnel:

  • Johnny Hallyday – vocals
  • Tony Joe White- electric guitar
  • Taj Mahal- guitar
  • Doyle Bramhall II- electric and slide guitar
  • Claude Engel – acoustic, electric and slide guitar
  • Mark Goldenberg- acoustic and baritone guitar
  • Christophe Guiot – violone
  • James Harman- harmonica
  • Freddy Koella – acoustic, electric, slide and resonator guitar
  • Greg Leisz- lap steel guitar
  • Robin LeMesurier – acoustic and electric guitar
  • Keb’ Mo’- resonator guitar
  • Paul Personne- electric guitar
  • Brian Ray- electric guitar
  • Eric Sauviat – acoustic, electric, slide, baritone and resonator guitar
  • Yvan Cassar – piano, organ
  • Greg Szlapczynski – harmonica
  • Laurent Vernerey – double bass
  • Geoff Dugmore, Denis Benarrosch, Abraham Laboriel, Sr.- drums, percussion
  • Jean Michel Tavernier – brass arrangements
  • Eric Chevalier – programming
  • Daniel Angeli, Sylvie Lancrenon, Jim Marshall, Alain Rolland – photography

Track listing:

  1. Monument Valley – Christian Lejalé, Yvan Cassar, Laurent Vernerey
  2. Etre un homme – Marie-Laure Douce, Yvan Cassar, Laurent Vernerey
  3. Always – Didier Golemanas, Alain Goldstein, Didier Golemanas
  4. Chavirer les foules – Michel Mallory
  5. Vous madame – Jacques Veneruso
  6. Je reviendrai dans tes bras – Jean Fauque, Fred Blondin
  7. Que restera-t-il ? – Didier Golemanas
  8. T’aimer si mal – Marc Lévy, Yvan Cassar
  9. Ma vie – Bruno Putzulu, Yvan Cassar, Laurent Vernerey
  10. Laquelle de toi – Bernard Droguet, Fred Blondin
  11. Sarbacane – Francis Cabrel
  12. Ce que j’ai fait de ma vie – Bernie Taupin, French adaptation :by Lionel Florence, Jim Cregan
  13. I Am the Blues – Bono, Simon Carmody

Albert King: Lovejoy

In July 1971, “Stax” label released “Lovejoy”, the sixth Albert King studio album. It was recorded December 1970 – January 1971, and was produced by Don Nix.

Personnel:

  • Albert King – vocals, electric guitar
  • Jesse Edwin Davis, Tippy Armstrong, Wayne Perkins– guitar
  • John Gallie, Barry Beckett– keyboards
  • Donald “Duck” Dunn, David Hood– bass
  • Jim Keltner, Roger Hawkins – drums
  • Sandy Konikoff – percussion
  • Jeanne Green, The Mt. Zion Singers – backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Honky Tonk Woman – Mick Jagger, Keith Richards
  2. Bay Area Blues – Donald “Duck” Dunn, Don Nix
  3. Corrina, Corrina – Don Nix
  4. She Caught the Katy(And Left Me A Mule To Ride) – Taj Mahal, James Rachell
  5. For the Love of a Woman – Don Nix
  6. Lovejoy, III.-Don Nix
  7. Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven – Don Nix
  8. Going Back To Iuka – Don Nix
  9. Like A Road Leading Home – Don Nix, Dan Penn

The Pointer Sisters: Steppin’

In May 1975, “ABC/Blue Thumb” label released “Steppin’”, the third Pointer Sisters studio album. It was recorded in 1975, at “Wally Heider Studios” in San Francisco, and was produced by David Rubinson & Friends, Inc..

Personnel:

  • Anita Pointer, Ruth Pointer, Bonnie Pointer, June Pointer– vocals
  • Chris Michie – guitar
  • Wah Wah Watson– guitar
  • Tom Salisbury – piano
  • Paul Jackson– bass
  • Eugene Santini – bass
  • Gaylord Birch– drums, percussion
  • Bill Summers– percussion
  • Herbie Hancock– clavinet
  • Jim Rothermel – clavinet
  • Stevie Wonder– electric piano
  • Tom Salisbury – arrangements
  • Allyn Ferguson – arrangements
  • Fred Catero – recording
  • Jeremy Zatkin – recording
  • George Horn, Phil Brown – mastering
  • Fred Catero, David Rubinson – re-mix
  • Ken Welch, Mitzie Welch – treatment

Track listing:

  1. How Long (Betcha’ Got a Chick on the Side) – Anita Pointer, Bonnie Pointer, David Rubinson
  2. Sleeping Alone – Stevie Wonder
  3. Easy Days – Isaac Hayes, Anita Pointer, Bonnie Pointer, June Pointer
  4. Chainey Do – Willie McTell, Taj Mahal
  5. I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But the Blues – A Medley in Tribute to Duke Ellington” (I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But the Blues / Rocks in My Bed / Creole Love Song / Satin Doll / I Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good) / Mood Indigo) – Duke Ellington, Don George/ Ellington / Ellington, Bruce Good / Ellington, Johnny Mercer, Billy Strayhorn / Ellington, Paul Francis Webster / Ellington, Irving Mills, Barney Bigard
  6. Save the Bones for Henry Jones – Danny Barker, Vernon Lee
  7. Wanting Things – Hal David, Burt Bacharach
  8. Going Down Slowly – Allen Toussaint