The Best Of Taj Mahal by Taj Mahal - VitaMusik

COMPILATION

Columbia/Legacy's 2000 collection The Best of Taj Mahal is a first-rate overview of Taj Mahal's classic late-'60s/early-'70s work for Columbia. Spanning 17 tracks, including a previously unreleased cut "Sweet Mama Janisse" from 1970, this hits many of the key points from the records he released between 1967 and 1974, including "Statesboro Blues," "Leaving Trunk,' "She Caught the Katy and Left Me a Mule to Ride," and "Fishin Blues." Although his albums were constructed and worked as actual albums, this does an excellent job of summarizing these thematic affairs and functions as a nice introduction to Mahal's music.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo

1. Statesboro Blues

Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Bass: James Thomas; Performer
Drums: Sanford Konikoff; Performer
Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis
Jesse Ed Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Composer: Willie Mctell; Composer
Lyricist: Willie Mctell; Composer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

2. Leaving Trunk

Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Bass: James Thomas
Gary Gilmore; Performer
Drums: Sanford Konikoff
Charles Blackwell; Performer
Guitar: Jessie Edwin Davis; Performer
Harp: Taj Mahal; Performer
Mandolin: Ryland P. Cooder; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Jessie Edwin Davis; Performer
Slide Guitar: Taj Mahal; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Composer: Sleepy John Estes; Composer
Lyricist: Sleepy John Estes; Composer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

4. Going up to the Country, Paint My Mailbox Blue

Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Drums: Unknown; Performer
Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Harp: Taj Mahal; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Al Kooper
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Steel Guitar: Taj Mahal; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Composer: Taj Mahal; Composer
Lyricist: Taj Mahal; Composer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

5. She Caught the Katy and Left Me a Mule to Ride

Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Drums: Chuck Blackwell; Performer
Guitar: Jesse Ed Davis
Taj Mahal
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Al Kooper
Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Composer: Taj Mahal
James Rachell; Composer
Lyricist: James Rachell
Taj Mahal; Composer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

9. 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

12. Cakewalk Into Town (Album Version)

Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Background Vocals: The Pointer Sisters; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Whistling: Taj Mahal; Performer
Composer: T. Mahal; Composer
Lyricist: T. Mahal; Composer
Producer: Taj Mahal
Lawrence Cohn; Production

6. 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

7. 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

16. Johnny Too Bad

Acoustic Guitar: Taj Mahal; Performer
Composer: Derrick Crooks
Delroy Wilson
Winston Bailey
Hylton Beckford; Composer
Background Vocals: Tommy Henderson
Carole Fredericks; Performer
Banjo: Taj Mahal; Performer
Lyricist: Delroy Wilson
Derrick Crooks
Winston Bailey
Hylton Beckford; Composer
Baritone Guitar: Taj Mahal; Performer
Bass: Bill Rich; Performer
Congas: Kwasi Dzidzornu; Performer
Drums: Kester Smith; Performer
Harp: Taj Mahal; Performer
Organ: Taj Mahal; Performer
Percussion: Kwasi Dzidzornu
Kester Smith; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Taj Mahal; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: Taj Mahal; Production

17. Sweet Mama Janisse (previously unissued studio version)

Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Composer: Taj Mahal; Composer
Lyricist: Taj Mahal; Composer

8. 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

10. Ain't Gwine to Whistle Dixie (Any Mo') (Live)

Acoustic Bass: Bill Rich; Performer
Baritone Saxophone: Howard Johnson; Performer
Bass Guitar: Bill Rich; Performer
Brass: Howard Johnson; Performer
Congas: Kwasi Dzidzournu; Performer
Drums: Greg Thomas; Performer
Electric Guitar: John Hall; Performer
Composer: Taj Mahal
G. Gilmore
C. Blackwell
John Davis
J. Davis; Composer
Lyricist: John Davis
G. Gilmore
C. Blackwell
Taj Mahal
J. Davis; Composer
Flugelhorn: Howard Johnson
Bob Stewart; Performer
Guitar: Taj Mahal; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Harp: Taj Mahal; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: John Simon; Performer
Steel Guitar: Taj Mahal; Performer
Trombone: Joseph Daley; Performer
Trumpet: Bob Stewart; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Vic Anesini; Production
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

11. You're Going to Need Somebody On Your Bond (Live)

Acoustic Bass: Bill Rich; Performer
Baritone Saxophone: Howard Johnson; Performer
Bass Guitar: Bill Rich; Performer
Brass: Howard Johnson; Performer
Congas: Kwasi Dzidzournu; Performer
Drums: Greg Thomas; Performer
Electric Guitar: John Hall; Performer
Arranger: Taj Mahal; Composer
Composer: Blind Willie Johnson; Composer
Lyricist: Blind Willie Johnson; Composer
Adaptation: Taj Mahal; Production
Flugelhorn: Bob Stewart
Howard Johnson; Performer
Guitar: Taj Mahal; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Harp: Taj Mahal; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: John Simon; Performer
Steel Guitar: Taj Mahal; Performer
Trombone: Joseph Daley; Performer
Trumpet: Bob Stewart; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Vic Anesini; Production
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

13. Oh Susanna (Album Version)

Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Arranger: Taj Mahal; Composer
Composer: Traditional; Composer
Lyricist: Traditional; Composer
Adaptation: Taj Mahal; Production
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

14. Frankie And Albert (Album Version)

Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Composer: Mississippi John Hurt
Trad
Traditional; Composer
Lyricist: Mississippi John Hurt
Trad
Traditional; Composer
Producer: Taj Mahal; Production

15. Chevrolet

Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Composer: Lonny Young
Ed Young; Composer
Lyricist: Ed Young
Lonny Young; Composer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

3. Corinna (From "The Natch'l Blues")

Primary Artist: Taj Mahal; Main Performer
Bass: Gary Gilmore; Performer
Drums: Unknown; Performer
Guitar: Jesse Edwin Davis; Performer
Harmonica: Taj Mahal; Performer
Harp: Taj Mahal; Performer
Performer: Taj Mahal; Performer
Piano: Al Kooper; Performer
Steel Guitar: Taj Mahal; Performer
Vocals: Taj Mahal; Performer
Composer: Jesse E. Davis
Taj Mahal; Composer
Lyricist: Taj Mahal
Jesse E. Davis; Composer
Producer: David Rubinson; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

17 tracks available

Type

COMPILATION

Format

Digital Media

Duration

1 hour, 9 minutes and 27 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

15/17 tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

10/17 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, Blues, Contemporary Blues, Acoustic Blues, Electric Blues, Folk-Blues, Blues & Boogie Rock, Modern Blues

Label

Columbia - Legacy

Music Distribution Service

Sony

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Dec 31, 1999

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

5099749817128