Giant Step by Taj Mahal - VitaMusik

COMPILATION

In less than 24 months, Taj Mahal (guitars/vocals/banjo/harmonica) had issued the equivalent of four respective long-players. The electric Giant Step (1968) was released alongside the acoustic and decidedly rural De Ole Folks at Home (1968). The nine cuts on Giant Step feature support from the instrumental trio of Jesse Ed Davis (guitar/keyboards), Gary Gilmore (bass), and Chuck Blackwell (drums). They back Taj Mahal on a wide selection of covers ranging from Carole King and Gerry Goffin's "Take a Giant Step" to the upbeat and soulful reading of the Huddie Ledbetter blues staple "Keep Your Hands Off Her." The arrangements are unique and offer the artist's distinctive approach. Nowhere is this more evident than the practically jovial midtempo "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" or the freewheeling abandon brought to the 18-wheeler anthem "Six Days on the Road"." Similarly, it recalls the version of "Ain't That a Lot of Love" from Taj Mahal's preceding LP Natch'l Blues (1968). Additionally, Blind Willie Johnson's "You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond" stands out with a strong and soaring gospel-flavored arrangement. The project concludes with "Bacon Fat," a number attributed here via Garth Hudson and Robbie Robertson of the Band. That said, it may be better-known from the man they called Mr. Rhythm, Andre Williams, whose scattered down-home spoken interludes punctuate his February 1957 Top Ten R&B hit -- which incidentally was created under the working title "Diddle, Diddle Womp, Womp." Parties searching for an apt introduction when discovering Taj Mahal's voluminous catalog are encouraged to consider Giant Step as a highly recommended reference point.
© Lindsay Planer /TiVo

8. Keep Your Hands Off Her

Composer: H. Ledbetter; Composer
Lyricist: H. Ledbetter; Composer
Acoustic Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis
Taj Mahal; Performer
Banjo: Taj Mahal; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Bass Guitar: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Drums: Chuck "brother" Blackwell; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Organ: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Engineer: Brian Ross-myring
Jerry Hochman
Chris Hinshaw; Production
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

18. Blind Boy Rag

Composer: T. Mahal; Composer
Lyricist: T. Mahal; Composer
Acoustic Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis
Taj Mahal; Performer
Banjo: Taj Mahal; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Bass Guitar: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Drums: Chuck "brother" Blackwell; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Organ: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Engineer: Brian Ross-myring
Jerry Hochman
Chris Hinshaw; Production
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

9. Bacon Fat

Composer: J. Robbie Robertson
G. Hudson; Composer
Lyricist: G. Hudson
J. Robbie Robertson; Composer
Acoustic Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis
Taj Mahal; Performer
Banjo: Taj Mahal; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Bass Guitar: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Drums: Chuck "brother" Blackwell; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Organ: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Engineer: Brian Ross-myring
Jerry Hochman
Chris Hinshaw; Production
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

11. Country Blues #1

Composer: Jesse E. Davis
Taj Mahal
Not Documented; Composer
Lyricist: Taj Mahal
Jesse E. Davis; Composer
Acoustic Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis
Taj Mahal; Performer
Banjo: Taj Mahal; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Bass Guitar: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Drums: Chuck "brother" Blackwell; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Organ: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Engineer: Brian Ross-myring
Jerry Hochman
Chris Hinshaw; Production
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

4. Good Morning Little School Girl

Composer: B. Level
B. Love; Composer
Lyricist: B. Love
B. Level; Composer
Acoustic Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis
Taj Mahal; Performer
Banjo: Taj Mahal; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Bass Guitar: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Drums: Chuck "brother" Blackwell; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Organ: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Engineer: Brian Ross-myring
Jerry Hochman
Chris Hinshaw; Production
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

5. You're Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond

Composer: Blind Willie Johnson; Composer
Lyricist: Blind Willie Johnson; Composer
Acoustic Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis
Taj Mahal; Performer
Banjo: Taj Mahal; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Bass Guitar: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Drums: Chuck "brother" Blackwell; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Organ: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Engineer: Brian Ross-myring
Jerry Hochman
Chris Hinshaw; Production
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

3. Give Your Woman What She Wants (From the Motion Picture "The April Fools")

Composer: J. Hirschhorn
T. Mahal; Composer
Lyricist: T. Mahal
J. Hirschhorn; Composer
Acoustic Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis
Taj Mahal; Performer
Banjo: Taj Mahal; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Bass Guitar: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Drums: Chuck "brother" Blackwell; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Organ: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Engineer: Brian Ross-myring
Jerry Hochman
Chris Hinshaw; Production
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

20. Cajun Tune

Composer: T. Mahal; Composer
Lyricist: T. Mahal; Composer
Acoustic Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis
Taj Mahal; Performer
Banjo: Taj Mahal; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Bass Guitar: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Drums: Chuck "brother" Blackwell; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Organ: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Engineer: Brian Ross-myring
Jerry Hochman
Chris Hinshaw; Production
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

19. Stagger Lee

Acoustic Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Composer: L. Price
H. Logan; Composer
Acoustic Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis
Taj Mahal; Performer
Banjo: Taj Mahal; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Bass Guitar: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Drums: Chuck "brother" Blackwell; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Lyricist: H. Logan
L. Price; Composer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Organ: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Engineer: Brian Ross-myring
Jerry Hochman
Chris Hinshaw; Production
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

22. Annie's Lover

Acoustic Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Banjo: Taj Mahal; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Bass Guitar: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Arranger: T. Mahal; Composer
Composer: T. Mahal; Composer
Lyricist: T. Mahal; Composer
Drums: Chuck "brother" Blackwell; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Organ: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Engineer: Chris Hinshaw
Brian Ross-myring
Jerry Hochman; Production
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

15. Candy Man (Album Version)

Composer: Geron Davies
G. Davis; Composer
Lyricist: Geron Davies
G. Davis; Composer
Acoustic Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis
Taj Mahal; Performer
Banjo: Taj Mahal; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Bass Guitar: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Drums: Chuck "brother" Blackwell; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Organ: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Engineer: Brian Ross-myring
Jerry Hochman
Chris Hinshaw; Production
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

13. Light Rain Blues

Composer: T. Mahal; Composer
Lyricist: T. Mahal; Composer
Acoustic Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis
Taj Mahal; Performer
Banjo: Taj Mahal; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Bass Guitar: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Drums: Chuck "brother" Blackwell; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Organ: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Engineer: Brian Ross-myring
Jerry Hochman
Chris Hinshaw; Production
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

10. Linin' Track

Composer: H. Ledbetter; Composer
Lyricist: H. Ledbetter; Composer
Acoustic Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis
Taj Mahal; Performer
Banjo: Taj Mahal; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Bass Guitar: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Drums: Chuck "brother" Blackwell; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Organ: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Engineer: Brian Ross-myring
Jerry Hochman
Chris Hinshaw; Production
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

12. Wild Ox Moan

Composer: V. Hall
R. Tartt; Composer
Lyricist: R. Tartt
V. Hall; Composer
Acoustic Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis
Taj Mahal; Performer
Banjo: Taj Mahal; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Bass Guitar: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Drums: Chuck "brother" Blackwell; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Organ: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Engineer: Brian Ross-myring
Jerry Hochman
Chris Hinshaw; Production
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

14. A Little Soulful Tune (Album Version)

Composer: T. Mahal; Composer
Lyricist: T. Mahal; Composer
Acoustic Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis
Taj Mahal; Performer
Banjo: Taj Mahal; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Bass Guitar: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Drums: Chuck "brother" Blackwell; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Organ: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Engineer: Brian Ross-myring
Jerry Hochman
Chris Hinshaw; Production
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

2. Take a Giant Step (1969 Version)

Acoustic Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Taj Mahal; Performer
Banjo: Taj Mahal; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Taj Mahal; Performer
Bass Guitar: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Drums: Chuck "brother" Blackwell; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Composer: Carole King
Gerry Goffin; Composer
Lyricist: Carole King
Gerry Goffin; Composer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

6. Six Days On the Road

Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Acoustic Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Bass Guitar: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Drums: Chuck "brother" Blackwell; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Composer: Carl Montgomery
Earl Greene; Composer
Lyricist: Carl Montgomery
Earl Greene; Composer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

21. Fishin' Blues

Composer: Henry Thomas; Composer
Lyricist: Henry Thomas; Composer
Acoustic Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis
Taj Mahal; Performer
Banjo: Taj Mahal; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Bass Guitar: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Drums: Chuck "brother" Blackwell; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Organ: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Engineer: Brian Ross-myring
Jerry Hochman
Chris Hinshaw; Production
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

7. Farther On Down the Road

Composer: Jesse E. Davis Iii
Taj Mahal; Composer
Lyricist: Taj Mahal
Jesse E. Davis Iii; Composer
Acoustic Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis
Taj Mahal; Performer
Banjo: Taj Mahal; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Bass Guitar: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Drums: Chuck "brother" Blackwell; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Organ: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Engineer: Brian Ross-myring
Jerry Hochman
Chris Hinshaw; Production
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

1. Ain't Gwine Whistle Dixie (Anymo')

Acoustic Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Composer: E. Davis
T. Mahal; Composer
Acoustic Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis
Taj Mahal; Performer
Banjo: Taj Mahal; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Bass Guitar: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Drums: Chuck "brother" Blackwell; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Lyricist: T. Mahal
E. Davis; Composer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Organ: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Engineer: Brian Ross-myring
Jerry Hochman
Chris Hinshaw; Production
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

16. Cluck Old Hen (Album Version)

Acoustic Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Banjo: Taj Mahal; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Bass Guitar: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Arranger: T. Mahal; Composer
Composer: T. Mahal; Composer
Lyricist: T. Mahal; Composer
Drums: Chuck "brother" Blackwell; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Organ: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Engineer: Chris Hinshaw
Brian Ross-myring
Jerry Hochman; Production
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

17. Colored Aristocracy

Acoustic Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Banjo: Taj Mahal; Performer
Baritone Guitar: Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Bass Guitar: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Arranger: T. Mahal; Composer
Composer: T. Mahal; Composer
Lyricist: T. Mahal; Composer
Drums: Chuck "brother" Blackwell; Performer
Electric Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Organ: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Engineer: Chris Hinshaw
Brian Ross-myring
Jerry Hochman; Production
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

22 tracks available

Type

COMPILATION

Format

Digital Media

Duration

1 hour, 8 minutes and 56 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 600x600 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

14/22 tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

2/22 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Blues, Electric Blues, Contemporary Blues, Rock, Folk-Blues, Country Blues, Country-Folk, Bluegrass, Acoustic Blues, Chicago Blues

Label

Columbia

Music Distribution Service

Sony

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Dec 31, 1968

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

74640001826