Tag Archives: Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo: TajMo

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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’

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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

James Cotton

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On March 16, 2017, James Henry Cotton died aged 81. He was musician (harmonica), singer and songwriter, had a successful solo career, recording albums under his own name, and recording and performing with number of great blues and rock musicians including Gregg Allman, William “Billy Boy” Arnold, Elvin Bishop, Mike Bloomfield, Joe Bonamassa, Paul Butterfield, Grateful Dead, Pat Hare, Howlin’ Wolf, Janis Joplin, B.B. King, Freddie King, Alexis Korner, Steve Miller, Charlie Musselwhite, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Keith Richards, Todd Rundgren, Santana, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Otis Spann, Taj Mahal, Big Mama Thornton, Jimmie Vaughan, Joe Louis Walker, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson and Johnny Winter.

J. J. Cale & Eric Clapton: The Road To Escondido

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the_road_to_escondido

On November 7, 2006, “Duck” label released “The Road to Escondido”, album by J.J. Cale, Eric Clapton and Simon Climie. It was recorded in August 2005, and was produced by J.J. Cale and Eric Clapton. The album features the final Billy Preston recordings, to whom the “The Road to Escondido” Is dedicated. In 2008, the album won “Grammy Award” for “Best Contemporary Blues Album”. “The Road to Escondido” was certified Platinum in Denmark by “IFPI Denmark”; Platinum in Germany by “BVMI”; 2 x Platinum in Greece by “IFPI Greece”, and 2 x Platinum in New Zealand by “RMNZ”.

Personnel:

  • JJ Cale – vocals, guitars, keyboards
  • Eric Clapton – vocals, guitars, concept.
  • Derek Trucks – guitar
  • John Mayer – guitar
  • Doyle Bramhall II – guitar
  • Christine Lakeland – vocals, guitar
  • Albert Lee – guitar
  • Billy Preston – Hammond Organ, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer.
  • Walt Richmond – piano
  • Simon Climie – piano
  • David Teegarden – piano
  • Taj Mahal – harmonica
  • Pino Palladino – bass guitar
  • Gary Gilmore – bass guitar
  • Willie Weeks – bass guitar
  • Jim Karstein – drums, percussion.
  • James Cruce – drums, percussion.
  • Steve Jordan – drums
  • Abe Laboriel, Jr – drums
  • Nathan East – bass guitar
  • Dennis Caplinger – fiddle
  • Bruce Fowler – horns
  • Marty Grebb – horns
  • Steve Madaio – horns
  • Jerry Peterson – horns
  • Simon Climie – programming, digital editing
  • Alan Douglas – engineer
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering
  • Catherine Roylance – art direction
  • Joel Evenden – digital editing
  • Lee Dickson – guitar techician

Track listing:

All tracks by J.J. Cale except where noted.

  1. Danger
  2. Heads in Georgia
  3. Missing Person
  4. When This War Is Over
  5. Sporting Life Blues – Brownie McGhee
  6. Dead End Road
  7. It’s Easy
  8. Hard to Thrill – Eric Clapton,John Mayer
  9. Anyway the Wind Blows
  10. Three Little Girls – Eric Clapton
  11. Don’t Cry Sister
  12. Last Will and Testament
  13. Who Am I Telling You?
  14. Ride the River